I'm Going To France.. Advice Please..

Hello All.

I am off to France at the weekend, 85540 Moutiers-les-Mauxfaits to be exact.

Hoping for any advice/tips on anything I should know as it has been almost 10 years since I last drove over there.

Will be landing at Cherbourg and taking toll roads.

Does anyone know if a standard 13'6 luton is classed as a truck for toll charges?

Cheers,

Dan.

Make sure you fill a CMR in correctly. Look on Via Michellin web site toll charges are there!

Stick to the speed limits they are clamping down.

Drive on the right.

AJM sameday Couriers said:

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Stick to the speed limits they are clamping down.

TBH in the 61 times I've been over the last yr, Ive not seen one speed trap, I have set quite a few cameras off on the bike and van but not worried too much..

Also regarding tolls, your better off going to a manned toll, as the non manned tolls go by what the sensors pick up.. And there is a difference in cost.. Ive been charged for a car/small van on the bike at auto tolls :(

You'll be a class 3 so normally about 50% more than a Sprinter/Transit. Can be pricey so maybe do some homework and use the Nationals where you can

Watch out for Johnny Foreigner trying to hitch a lift to Blighty. The RHA recommends no stopping within 100 miles of the ferry. If you get pulled over and someone is in the back you can get done for people smuggling, whilst they will get full board and some holiday money.

Gas Motorcycle Couriers said:

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Also regarding tolls, your better off going to a manned toll, as the non manned tolls go by what the sensors pick up.. And there is a difference in cost.. Ive been charged for a car/small van on the bike at auto tolls :(

Yes good point

Cheers guys.

Change of plan now, have to go via Calais.

My van is 20cm overheight so is charged at class 3. Will be almost 200 euros in tolls! And the sanef tag is not available for class 3 vehicles! Looks like I will be taking the slow road - should only be a couple of hours longer and I'm in no rush.

There is a three hour delay boarding ferries at the moment due to weather. Don't fancy 3 hours plus sat at Calais. Last time I was there they were swarming around the car park next to the boat, can't imagine what its like now.

Salut!

Nice route from calais.. take the A16 to paris, come off at J31 @ bolougne head for the D901 /D1001 Nouvion, (theres a cheap carrefour with fuel station, I always get mt scran their)there then onto the A28 not a bad road, towards Dieppe.. No tolls that way..

Thanks gas, sounds good I will try that..

I'm looking in to doing some european work, is it best to go tunnel or ferry and is there anything i need to carry on the van for the different driving regulations, someone told me that i have to carry a full set of bulbs, a high vis for every seat whether theres a passenger in that seat or not, warning triangle... Is there any room to carry cargo once you've finished? I drive a long wheel base Transit.

Safe Transit ltd said:

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I'm looking in to doing some european work, is it best to go tunnel or ferry and is there anything i need to carry on the van for the different driving regulations, someone told me that i have to carry a full set of bulbs, a high vis for every seat whether theres a passenger in that seat or not, warning triangle... Is there any room to carry cargo once you've finished? I drive a long wheel base Transit

Not being funny, but rather than listening and being told different things, just do your research for the country your visiting or region your going to, as the laws vary.. Listening to others could land you in hot water... If your not in a rush then the ferry is the best option, as the frieght on the euro can be very expensive, just a word to the wise, the passenger side of the tunnel are very keen on vans using the passenger system as a freight run, they're not stupid and will check..

Also on the note of going across.. Inform any of your Insurance companies your with to make sure your covered, even if you go across just for the day.

Avoid like the plague right this moment!

Van pulled up to calais eurotunnel 19-50 CET last night, arrived in UK 21:30 GMT, not great but can deal with that just about.

Van down at folkestone this morning 05:00am (GMT), arrives in calais 10:35 (GMT) - yes thats 5 and half hours!

All because of the ferries and the immigrants and all that is french !

HSP Couriers LTD said:

Van down at folkestone this morning 05:00am (GMT), arrives in calais 10:35 (GMT) - yes thats 5 and half hours!

All because of the ferries and the immigrants and all that is french !

Nowt to do with the weather ;-)

Dash Despatch said:

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HSP Couriers LTD said:

Van down at folkestone this morning 05:00am (GMT), arrives in calais 10:35 (GMT) - yes thats 5 and half hours!

All because of the ferries and the immigrants and all that is french !

Nowt to do with the weather ;-)

i dare say ... The weather played it's part too Lloyd

and again this morning too ! We love it!

I know Germany insists on vehicles having winter tyres this time of year, what about the rest of Europe? Also, breathaliser kits in France? Headlight beam deflectors? Make sure your pallets are strapped down securely. Not sure about copies of your license, insurance and log book. I went over to Belgium a couple of weeks ago with nothing but my passport. It's just not worth the worry to go ill equipped. Getting on that little shuttle bus for the tunnel is horrible. It stinks, some drivers could do with a good shower.

This is not just France and its mainly maps but because it's Christmas WWW. Highwaymaps. eu

Garnham Courier Services said:

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I know Germany insists on vehicles having winter tyres this time of year, what about the rest of Europe? Also, breathaliser kits in France? Headlight beam deflectors? Make sure your pallets are strapped down securely. Not sure about copies of your license, insurance and log book. I went over to Belgium a couple of weeks ago with nothing but my passport. It's just not worth the worry to go ill equipped. Getting on that little shuttle bus for the tunnel is horrible. It stinks, some drivers could do with a good shower.

Its not law for breathalyser kits in France...

Gas Motorcycle Couriers said:

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Garnham Courier Services said:

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I know Germany insists on vehicles having winter tyres this time of year, what about the rest of Europe? Also, breathaliser kits in France? Headlight beam deflectors? Make sure your pallets are strapped down securely. Not sure about copies of your license, insurance and log book. I went over to Belgium a couple of weeks ago with nothing but my passport. It's just not worth the worry to go ill equipped. Getting on that little shuttle bus for the tunnel is horrible. It stinks, some drivers could do with a good shower.

Its not law for breathalyser kits in France.

Are you telling me I have just wasted £5.99 replacing my out of date breathalysers with a pack of new ones.

AJM sameday Couriers said:

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Gas Motorcycle Couriers said:

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Garnham Courier Services said:

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I know Germany insists on vehicles having winter tyres this time of year, what about the rest of Europe? Also, breathaliser kits in France? Headlight beam deflectors? Make sure your pallets are strapped down securely. Not sure about copies of your license, insurance and log book. I went over to Belgium a couple of weeks ago with nothing but my passport. It's just not worth the worry to go ill equipped. Getting on that little shuttle bus for the tunnel is horrible. It stinks, some drivers could do with a good shower.

Its not law for breathalyser kits in France.

Are you telling me I have just wasted £5.99 replacing my out of date breathalysers with a pack of new ones.

You certainly have wasted your hard earned money Gary!

Maybe you can test yourself, over the Christmas period? You never know, you just might be able to do that job you thought you were over the limit to do!

It's tosh anyway I was sat out side a bar in France a couple of years ago 2 French geezers sat down and ordered 2 large beers, then 2 more then 2 more probably equivalent to about 3 pints then got up crossed the road and went down a side street one of them jumped on a forklift and the the other guy started manovering a flat back Arctic for his made to load it's the biggest load of bollocks ever

AJM sameday Couriers said:

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Gas Motorcycle Couriers said:

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Garnham Courier Services said:

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I know Germany insists on vehicles having winter tyres this time of year, what about the rest of Europe? Also, breathaliser kits in France? Headlight beam deflectors? Make sure your pallets are strapped down securely. Not sure about copies of your license, insurance and log book. I went over to Belgium a couple of weeks ago with nothing but my passport. It's just not worth the worry to go ill equipped. Getting on that little shuttle bus for the tunnel is horrible. It stinks, some drivers could do with a good shower.

Its not law for breathalyser kits in France.

Are you telling me I have just wasted £5.99 replacing my out of date breathalysers with a pack of new ones.

We carry 2 kits in each van as standard for driving in France but there is no current legislation demanding a fine for non-compliance.

Winter tyres are put onto the vehicle when the temp is low enough to warrant the need for them. (in france)

And yes ... The bus stinks!

Foolish anyway to have any alcohol whilst driving abroad.

Last time I was on the Ferry to Rotterdam, EVERY driver of, Artic, Van, car and motorcycle were breathalysed immediately after driving off boat. Lower blood alcohol levels in Netherlands too. Not good if one had been drinking on the crossing.

Winter tyres are compulsory in many European countries.
Foolish if taking a risk as a colleague was stopped in Sweden, was on non winter tyres, even though it was snowing he was fined and had his van impounded until he had all tyres replaced. Everything in Scandinavia is expensive and that little sorte cost him over a grand.