Angles Mort Stickers

[Junieric]

We did not know we needed these on our van until we had moved into Spain from France! In a week we re-enter France. We are now on the top coast of Spain e.g. Santander territory. Anybody know where we can buy some? Online just is not an option right now.

 

[nicholsong]

If your Carthago is under 3.5t you don't need them.

If it is a model which could be registered below 3.5t, I would not get too worried, as I doubt the police are going to stop smaller MHs to check whether they are compliant by weight.

Only if your model is obviously big enough so that it must be over 3.5t need need you get them, but as you saw nobody stopped you on the way through France and several people have reported that they have seen French MHs without the stickers.

Geoff

 

[Lenny HB]

We are 4500kg, didn't bother on our last trip. They are only required for urban areas, only saw really big French vans with them on.

 

[Junieric]

We are over 3.5. We were warned by an English man who lives in France that there are fines given. Happy to put them on but need to know where to purchase them.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

7.5t went through France down to Germany and Switzerland then back through France last year no issues.
Even went through a checkpoint on a main motorway and they never even looked.

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[Speve]

They are only required in urban areas so as long as you don’t go into towns and cities you should be alright, they are available on Amazon

 

[Solwaybuggier]

They are only required for urban areas, only saw really big French vans with them on.

Lenny HB and Speve, do you have a source for that assertion about urban areas only? I ask because various people claim it, but when I've asked the source of it no one ever replies!

When this came up earlier today on the OAL forum, I queried it again there, knowing that the Admin on the forum is fluent in French and very good at details.
His reply was "Anyway, the relevant French Decree definitely does NOT limit the law to urban areas.

https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000042534807"

We certainly drove in France last year without the stickers, as did a large number of other MHs, and I very much doubt we'd ever be stopped. But if there were to be an accident, it might be another matter, and I suspect the insurance might prove problematic too.

But unless anyone can prove otherwise, I think this business of only required in urban areas is a dangerous urban myth - dangerous because if it's wrong and you trust in it, someone someday is going to rely on it and get caught out.

 

[jongood]

We are over 3.5. We were warned by an English man who lives in France that there are fines given. Happy to put them on but need to know where to purchase them.

If you ve only got 4 wheels then I wouldnt bother, if you re on 6 then you would have to be pretty unlucky to be fined.

Has anyone mentioned Crit'air yet??

 

[Solwaybuggier]

If OP can't buy online and is in Spain for another week, maybe an option would be to get them immediately on returning to France? You could almost certainly get them in Spain, but there's a risk of confusion(!) because the Spanish are introducing their own stickers, which are not mandatory but are a different design to the French ones! Shame the EU couldn't have introduced a single common sticker...

 

[Speve]

Lenny HB and Speve, do you have a source for that assertion about urban areas only? I ask because various people claim it, but when I've asked the source of it no one ever replies!

Hi there I have to admit after looking at the French regulations I can only find mention that accidents of this kind are 70% more likely in urban areas.
I would therefore take this as you should fit these dam stickers even if you are not entering towns etc as knowing my luck I would be stopped and fined €135
I did read somewhere that it was only urban area??? Just goes to show you should not believe everything you readmy apologies for any misleading info.
Here’s a link. https://www.securite-routiere.gouv....etre-equipes-dune-signalisation-materialisant

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[Pirahna]

I'm just north of Pamplona with a spare set, I'll be in France tomorrow though. I'd say not to worry, get some in France.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

Hi there I have to admit after looking at the French regulations I can only find mention that accidents of this kind are 70% more likely in urban areas.
I would therefore take this as you should fit these dam stickers even if you are not entering towns etc as knowing my luck I would be stopped and fined €135
I did read somewhere that it was only urban area??? Just goes to show you should not believe everything you readmy apologies for any misleading info.
Here’s a link. https://www.securite-routiere.gouv....etre-equipes-dune-signalisation-materialisant

I believe that when the decree was under discussion there was some consideration of limiting it to urban areas (which fits in with the 70% more likely statistic) but just can’t find any reference to it in the eventual decree.

 

[Nigel P]

I researched the French directive at the time and it creates exemptions for agricultural, forestry and motorway service vehicles. This tends to preclude the 'urban only' aspect, it simply states anything over 3.5T with the aforementioned exemptions. I have not found anything suggesting the rules don't apply across the board. Looking at the signs and regulations for placement implies they were only designed for commercial vehicles (buses and trucks) and that other non-commercial vehicles were perhaps not properly considered, hence the lack of specific detail for vehicles such as motorhomes etc. Not being stopped by the Gendarmerie doesn't necessarily mean they are not required but rather they are probably not near the top of the list of priorities. They are far from elegant but we will be wearing them on our next trip! I would assume they will probably be available at service stations and ferries, same as beam deflectors and the other white elephant the breathalyser.

 

[Junieric]

K. We have 6 wheels. The service station is a great idea. Thank you.

 

[Speve]

Just to confirm requirements here’s an article from Motorhoming France newsletter:

A new law in France for any large vehicles over 3.5 tonne/ 3500kg (including motorhomes) has been introduced from the 1st January, 2021 aimed at reducing accidents due to any ‘blind spots’ on these vehicles. These vehicles are now required to display warning stickers on the rear & sides showing the location of any blind spots on the vehicle - the aim being to warn any vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists/ cyclists & pedestrians who may drive or pass behind an HGV.
The signs should be displayed, on the rear (right side) as well as on the left & right sides (within 1m of the front), at a height between 0.9m & 1.5m from the ground (excluding glass surfaces). The signs (pictured above) appear to be widely available on the internet for a few euros if you search for ‘autocollant angles morts’.
NOTE: This regulation also applies to all foreign motorhomes over 3,500 kgs when travelling on French territory. Failure to comply can result in a fine of 135€.

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[599]

we have just done 3000 miles to Spain & back we are just over 3500 but don't look it because of its the low -line had some in the glove box just in case . with 6 wheels you would be pushing it not to put some on you stick out like a sore thumb

 

[Solwaybuggier]

There’s also another thread current on MHF (Angles Mort Magnetic Plate ) where one member (Clewsy) has posted as follows at post # 63:
I have e mailed the French ministry of the interior to ask if stickers are needed everywhere or just in urban areas. There are some differences between government press releases and the legislation so I have asked for confirmation. Don’t know if or when I will get an answer but no harm in asking.

I appear to have fallen out with LennyHB on that thread on the question - oh well!