Visiting France

[Brigadier]

The minister who introduced it had shares in the company so its been shelved and consequently breathalysers have never been formally introduced.

Fill yer boots then

 

[ReganAndCarter]

I never bother with headlamp adjusters, I just turn them right down. Spoken to HGV drivers in the queue at the port and they tell me they don't use them. Can't understand why modern cars don't have a selector for LH or RH roads.

When I went to Czech Republic for a few months I bought some left hand drive headlamps and fitted them. On my much shorter trips to France more recently, I couldn't be bothered with swapping them so I just drove unconverted and had no problems. Modern LED headlights can be very dazzling anyway, so my old halogens will blend in.

Always wondered what lorry drivers did about switching beams for driving different sides of roads. Just assumed there would be a lever or something to change over. Amazed that there's no function on modern lorries to easily change the beam. Can't really expect drivers to be sticking beam diverters to h/light lenses and removing them all the time.

Toll roads are a pain. Some take cash and card, some card only. Be well prepared for these as you can get rinsed at toll booths more often than you think. One booth ate my credit card, luckily it also took cash and I had some handy. Not sure what would have happened if I didn't. And watch out for speed cameras, quite a lot about. You can't really miss them, they're huge.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Plus if you use a phone as a satnav, you have to disable speed camera warnings...

What about using a proper sat nav? My TomTom warns of cameras.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

The minister who introduced it had shares in the company so its been shelved and consequently breathalysers have never been formally introduced.

Sacre bleu? Such things happen in the repulique too?

 

[Mrs Ten Names]

Didn't know that. Without any signs to tell you?

Yes they are signed, but maybe not all. It's a blanket kind of limit now for roads without central dividing barriers and single lanes.

Toll roads have the ticket issuing , and money taking machines on the left, so make sure your co-driver is clued up on approach.

Rain doesn't reduce the speed limit by 10kph. However on toll roads the limit is reduced by 20kph during rain, from 130 to110kph.

You are supposed to use headlights during rain, on all roads, at all times of the day or night.

You are supposed to have a spare set of bulbs with you, but I never heard of anyone being done for it. Although I was 'told' once going through customs that I had one light out.

 

[fixitflav]

What about using a proper sat nav? My TomTom warns of cameras.

I have built-in satnav (Hyundai) and a TomTom, bought before I had built-in (or a smartphone). You're supposed to disable speed camera alerts in France, and I can do it on both of them.
I also use Android Auto, but I can't find a way to disable alerts on that. Does anybody know how?

In some ways the built-in is a bit odd, and I can't see many people nowadays spending £300-odd on a TomTom when Android is free, and apart from this problem works equally well IMO.

 

[fixitflav]

Plus if you use a phone as a satnav, you have to disable speed camera warnings...

Do you know how to do that on Android Auto? I've tried but can't see how.

 

[motorbiking]

Breathalyser law was repealed in 2020.

 

[yorksbuilder]

You're supposed to disable speed camera alerts in France, and I can do it on both of them.
I also use Android Auto, but I can't find a way to disable alerts on that. Does anybody know how?

Google maps on android auto automatically disables the speed camera alerts when you are in France. Waze would probably still show you them and location of Les flics as well so use Waze with caution (though many French use Waze anyway for this very reason). Never had a problem with the speed cameras in France as there is a warning sign ahead of time on the motorways

 

[yorksbuilder]

Useful tip for anyone driving in Ardèche is that the 80kmh rule on their roads has been suspended and it's 90kmh there until further notice!

 

[yorksbuilder]

Can't understand why modern cars don't have a selector for LH or RH roads.

Some do. Mine doesn't, but I didn't use converters recently and it was fine. Just dip them down as you say

 

[ReganAndCarter]

I have built-in satnav (Hyundai) and a TomTom, bought before I had built-in (or a smartphone). You're supposed to disable speed camera alerts in France, and I can do it on both of them.
I also use Android Auto, but I can't find a way to disable alerts on that. Does anybody know how?

In some ways the built-in is a bit odd, and I can't see many people nowadays spending £300-odd on a TomTom when Android is free, and apart from this problem works equally well IMO.

Thanks for the info. I'm wondering how often the gendarmes scroll through people's sat nav menus to see if they have Gatso alerts ticked.

Though if I ever get pulled over, there will be be some furious fumbling and scrolling with menus on the TomTom as I try to switch off alerts as the officer approaches my vehicle.

 

[Murdochcat]

For travel planning use viamichellin

Good for time and distances and spot on with tolls. Sure you have to pay but their motorways are absolutely superb , not heavily used except around the major towns and the miles just slip by with ease

Speeding offences are cash payments ON THE SPOT, and if you don’t have the cash, the police will escort you to a cash machine

 

[fixitflav]

Breathalyser law was repealed in 2020.

I'd be surprised if on the ferries they don't still try to sell them. I'll find out shortly.

 

[Mrs Ten Names]

If you rely on your phone for satnav, check your data charging rates on roaming before you leave.