Driving in France

Many carp anglers are now looking to broaden their horizons and seek out carp in foreign lands. France has to be the number one destination for english carp anglers looking for a foreign lump. What follows is some basic and honest information which may come in handy!

For many carp anglers the thought of driving through France in pursuit of some lovely large french carp fills them with dread. Those who have done so will wonder what all the fuss is about. As long as you take some precautions and prepare yourself and your vehicle for the journey, all should go smoothly.

You may want to travel by ferry and then by car. This is by far the most popular option as it means that once your ferry docks in France you can just drive off and away you go. The first thing is to book your seats online. Depending on the port you wish to arrive at there are various companies to choose from. After booking your tickets online you will then await the date of departure. When the time comes to depart you will need to ensure you have a few things in place.

Essentials...

Sat nav.
Destination postcode.
It is a legal requirement in France to use headlamp deflector strips and to carry a warning triangle, fluorescent jacket and, spare bulb kit. A European driving kit containing these essentials is available from stores such as Halfords etc. Don't underestimate the importance of this, a stop by the gendarmerie will soon have you wishing you had taken notice!
Passport.
Euros for tolls.

It will take a little time to get used to driving on the right side of the road but just take your time. The port areas can be busy but once your out of these areas things get alot more sedate. The important thing is to take your time, although the french do alot of over-taking they do not get wound up by slower drivers in the same way that english drivers do. After an hour or two you should be used to it.

UK registered vehicles displaying Euro-plates (circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background) no longer need a GB sticker when driving in European Union countries.

Radar speed traps are common in France and if you're caught, you'll get an on-the-spot fine of up to €135 plus points on your licence. All speed limits are in Kilometers.

This is not the UK and you must respect French laws even if, at times it seems the french do not.

Remember that the verge is always on the drivers side you should be ok! All the usual types of unleaded petrol and diesel are available. As in the UK, LPG is only available at some stations. Leaded no longer exists. You CAN carry petrol in your car.

Radar detectors are illegal in France even when they are not in use. If you are caught with a radar detector in your vehicle, you could be fined, have the detector confiscated, or even face confiscation of the vehicle. So make sure you remove any such device before taking your car to France. This does not apply to satellite navigation systems or GPS because these devices do not detect radar speed cameras, they only warn you where they are, this information is freely available. Dipped headlights must be used in poor daytime visibility. Motorcycles over 125cc must use dipped headlights during the day at all times. Seat belts are compulsory for front and rear seats, if they are fitted. Winter tires are recommended but not compulsory.

Let your insurer know your travel dates and ask whether there are any factors that may disqualify you for cover in France.

Breakdown cover
Typically, this will cost around £65 for a couple of weeks through the AA (0800 444500 www.theaa.com) or Europe Assistance (01444 442211; www.europ-assistance.co.uk)