I have Euro-style number plates with GB strip which the AA says are sufficient for driving in France. However I've heard somewhere that certain parochial authorities in France also demand a separate GB sticker. Opinions / experience?
Oz (as was)
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EU rules accept the GB number plate, Geneva Convention requires the seperate sticker (full size). The EU is unable to over-ride the GC, so whilst many flics will take the pragmatic approach and just book you for being a Brit, the rest will just book you for having no sticker.....
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Thanks No Dosh. At least I would be able to escape some of the gendarmerie by saying 'Mais pardon monsieur, je suis australien' (or maybe the corks on the hat will paralyse all of them with laughter anyway).
;-)
Oz (as was)
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There are certain other things that you are supposed to have like spare bulbs and a medical kit (or is the med kit in Germany?)
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Yep, spare bulb kit needed. I drove through France last year with GB sticker in the door pocket(and EU approved plates). The idea was that if I got stopped I could feign forgetfulness, and offer to apply it immediately...
Warning triangle is still an idea too, in case your hazards stop working, or to put round the tight corner you've just broken down past..
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FYI I've never bothered with a GB sticker defacing my car or caravan, and have never been stopped or challenged in over 20 years.
CS
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Lucky chap. The travel section in the Torygraph featured same cases last year, which is where I got the above info. I suppose I'm just cautious, as I always have an extinguisher, triangle, first aid kit and bulbs in the car.
You may want to wait until you hit foreign shores before getting your spare bulb kit. They are half the price in France. Oh, and give your boot-lid a damn good polish before applying the sticker. Will make it easier to remove without damaging the paint.
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A few years ago, someone was selling magnetic GB "stickers". Easy to remove without spoiling paintwork (or without asking the owner's permission!).
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Halfords also do (did) one that clings to the inside of the rear screen, not very effective though, fell off in bright sunshine.
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Clear Spot - Fine, but have you ever been abroad with your car or caravan!?
At my late lamented Mother-in-law's funeral some years ago, the hearse had a GB plate, thus creating considerable interest as to where she was going to end up!
Jack
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>Clear Spot - Fine, but have you ever been abroad with your car or caravan!?
Implied but not stated - I should know better. btw, I know have these Euro plte thingies on both so no longer an issue.
CS
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According to RAC this is what you need - though I always thought that spare bulbs, first aid kit and warning triangle were compulsory
>>What you need before setting off
A valid UK Driving Licence is required
A driver's minimum age is 18
A Camping Card International is recommended
A Green Card and Motor Insurance certificate is recommended. Motorists should carry evidence of motor insurance (insurance certificate). A Green Card provides additional proof that the minimum legal third party cover is held. For further advice please contact your insurance company
A separate GB sticker must also be displayed on vehicles with Euro number plates
A crash helmet when riding a motorcycle is compulsory
Wearing your seat belt is compulsory
Motorway tolls charged
Petrol, diesel & LPG available. Lead replacement petrol (LRP) is available and is indiciated on pumps as "supercarburant"
Children under 10 are forbidden to travel in the front seat
Many of the products listed below are available to buy. Just have a look in our travel shop.
Compulsory products
Headlamp converters
Recommended products
Spare bulbs
A fire extinguisher
A first aid kit
A warning triangle
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Oz
I can relate to everything that has been said here. I must say that I've never been stopped (yet) for only having a Euro plate on the car, but with a new caravan (with a europlate for the first time) I'll report back after the first of this year's forays.
My observation is that many cars (mainly Scandinavian) don't bother with either Europlates or International Reg plates and I've not seen them pulled over either.
A good idea to carry some sticky GB plates in case though, I'll do that this year.
Terry
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Thanks Terry.
I think the concensus has been 'No' (but carry one anyway!).
Oz (as was)
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