French Police - Page 2

Lampie · 07-01-2008, 07:40 PM

I have seen that in France a few times over the last few years, they seem to pick up who they feel like, right hand drivers I have seen many times. No seat belt on a toll a good one. Their way of tax ( fines )

I always like driving through the night , hardly see an official. Strange that

Lampie

pappajohn · 07-01-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

They often stop people coming out of Andorra to check for cigs and booze and they confiscate any excess over what they consider reasonable.

Phil.

customs were stopping folks on the spanish side but the french 'border' post was deserted last time we went through (spain to france) andorra.

john.

Teasy2007 · 08-01-2008, 09:32 AM

[quote=2escapees;53372]I assume by French Police you mean the Gendarmes. What they call random checks are regular here; at least twice a year we will be stopped for paperwork check and breathalyser you must carry your insurance, log book (carte gris) and driving license (there is not an option to produce them later)

Thanks for the information re documents you must carry, we had no idea you had to carry the log book! Do you need an international licence as well?? We are also surprised about them weighing the motorhome, how can you possibly know how much it weighs? Do they weigh it with you (and our two dogs) in it?

Is there anything else we need to carry for France and Spain? we will be setting off in the spring and dont want to drop a major clanger, especially if gendarmes and fines are involved.

Ginny and Michael

2escapees · 08-01-2008, 10:18 AM

Don't believe you wont see any during the night the breath test brigade work at all hours..especially when people leave the discos, and some take there camper vans there (nice soft bed)!

Plus you don't need an International driving license in France the photo card and the paperwork is all you need, Nothing else needed. But they can and do weigh people and yes it is with you, the dogs and everything else on board.

In Spain I understand you need two warning triangles, reflective vests for all passengers and two pair of glasses if you wear them.

Bon Voyage

Teasy2007 · 08-01-2008, 10:46 AM

Right, so how can you be sure your rig is not over weight, and is it 3.5 tonnes which no matter how big your motorhome? Do we have to get the whole lot weighed before we go, or perhaps go on a crash diet??

We have the two triangles and vests, but have not heard about the 2 pair of glasses before! whatever next??

Ginny

Teasy2007 · 08-01-2008, 10:51 AM

'Plus you don't need an International driving license in France the photo card and the paperwork is all you need, Nothing else needed. '

I am not sure what you mean by photo card and paperwork? where do we obtain these please?

Ginny

2escapees · 08-01-2008, 11:41 AM

Sorry if I was not clear I mean you normal UK photo driving license but with the paperwork not just the plastic card!

I have never been asked if I carry two pairs of glasses but thats what I have read! They are talking about driving (distance) glasses not reading!

myshell · 08-01-2008, 10:35 PM

Hi Mike
Re; second pair of spectacles.
I was stopped in Spain and asked to produce my spare pair of glasses, the police would only accept the second pair if they where of the same focal quality as the originals, ie. if you are wearing bi-focal glasses they would not accept reading or distance glasses as the backup pair, fortunately I had a spare pair of bi-focal.

Regards
Phil

Phil · 08-01-2008, 10:56 PM

I guess it's because if you only had one pair of driving glasses and lost or broke them how would you be able to drive safely?

Phil.

Parcverger · 09-01-2008, 07:36 AM

Another aspect to be aware of is that the drink/driving limit here in France is almost 50% of that in the UK (50 instead of 80). Random breath tests are normal, so NEVER drink and drive - penalties are severe and loss of licence immediate.

Bob