I'm 18
I am (hopefully) driving to France in July
What do I need to do as regards insurance? I am a named driver on parents' policy.
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for car insurance ?
Nothing, provided whichever parent makes it clear to his insurance company that you will be driving abroad as well as them.
If you are taking the car without them, they should DEF. make this obvious, in writing, to their insurer.
Also, ensure that the insurance document (certificate) showing your name agrees with your passport/id/whatever.
As an aside, beware of increased young driver excess both generally and in this special case of driving abroad.
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Mark,
Are you aware of any licence restrictions on young drivers in France i.e. minimum ages, speed limits for newly qualified drivers etc.
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No, Pugugly, I'm not.
And I didn't even think about it. I only considered the insurance side of things.
Do you know of any, or should I have a dig around and see what I can find ?
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but I am now.....
\"If you have recently passed your driving test, please note that in France you cannot exceed 90 km/h for the first two years after passing your test. You cannot drive in France until you are 18.\"
....taken from what seems like a very useful website......
www.day-tripper.net/drive-infrance.html
But, thats all I know.
M.
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Don't forget to take the V5 registration document. I believe it's a legal requirement to carry this in France. Also, if your parent is not travelling with you, I suppose you should carry a letter from the owner giving you permission to use the car. (e.g. company car drivers are supposed to have a letter from their employer or leasing co.)
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Not just a requirement in France, Keith. I've been asked for it by HM C&E at Dover - and NOT in a new car.
Terry :o)
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Carrying spare bulbs is not a legal requirement in France-irrespctive of AA/Rac,What is legal requirement is not driving with bulb not working.
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Keith/terry
The lease company won't usually give the V5 to you, but they will provide a standard form (can't remember its title or ref no.) confirming their onwership and giving permision for you to use the car out of the UK. You should make sure you get this.
Regards
John S
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Most of the issues have been covered above, but as someone who frequently drives in France I have been stopped and asked for the following, 95% of times by Gendarmes who do not speak more than 2 words of English (it is very helpful if you can speak at least basic French):
Triangle
Spare tyre
V5 in your name (parents name will only confuse them) or some kind of letter preferably in French giving you permision to drive car
Insurance details
this said, on the whole it is unusual to get stopped as the police find it too much hassel dealing with non-french speaking tourists. I have been stopped only when my car had a fault, defective headlight, and for speeding.
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Martin
As long as the two words aren't 'You're nicked', then no problem!
Regards
John S
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would that be "vous et nicked"?
opps 3 words
or, "vouse et culpable"
what's French for nicked???
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Martin
Volee?
T
Terry :o)
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Nicked in the sense of "caught" is pincé or chopé. I would like to see chapter and verse on spare bulbs. My understanding is that they are required, as are a warning triangle, fire extinguisher and first aid kit. Unfortunately, the French Highway Code (Code Rousseau - 260 pages hardback, about £10) is not clear on all of these points. As regards first aid, it is an offence not to "assist persons in danger", although a Swiss doctor told me to steer clear, for fear of being sued if first aid goes wrong... Lastly, try and get a Green Card out of the insurers. They will tell you it is not needed (as the insurance certificate has - or should have - a section in French) but I gather the French police are unhappy if they find you haven't got one one. They also prefer a driver's licence to have a photo. Having said all that, the police show great reluctance to appear in public!
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....but to put this in perspective, I've been driving abroad for 25 years & never had to show any motoring documents. Always take them because there is always a first time!
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