I have a little towing trip coming up - 2 race car shells to St Gallen in Switzerland

 

I know about the GB sticker, warning triangle, fluorescent jackets for all occupants, First Aid kit  BUT, what do I do about spare headlight bulbs ?

I have Bi-Xenons so, I know I have the ability to switch to driving on the right but, do I really need to buy a full spare set of bulbs ?

 

Have I forgotten anything else ?

 

 

 

Chris

Edited 9 March, 201412 yr by L200man

You do have to buy a set of bulbs, even if they don't fit. Its a requirement

I have HID bulbs and just bought a pack from Halfords to meet these requirements

Just any old headlight bulbs ?

 

 

Chris

If you are stopped they will only want to see if youre carrying a spare set..

They know that you cant be expected to carry spare HID bulbs

I have this:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_185999_langId_-1_categoryId_165538

You do not have to carry xenon bulbs, some (French) cars need the front bumper removed to change the bulbs... they do not need to carry headlight bulbs either.

 

It is worth carrying a few bulbs (sidelights etc) but if it was not for the fact you will be driving with the Gendarme magnet attached to the front and rear (UK number plates) then it is highly unlikely they would stop you for a bulb being blown.... there are loads of cars driving around France with several lights out all the time.

 

Don’t forget you need to take all of the original documents:

 

V5

MOT

Insurance

Driving licence (both parts)

 

I assume you will need T forms to take them into Switzerland as well.

Cheers for that guys

 

 

4 days to get there and back - 1800 miles

 

It should be a good trip, I have done it once before, in the L200 without a trailer.

 

 

 

Chris

It might be worth getting a twin pack of cheap disposable breathalysers, although I think that legislation is temporarily suspended in France at the moment. Keep one of your fluorescent vests in driver's side door bin so that you can in theory wear it when you first get out of the car. And remember that speeding tickets from cameras don't find their way back to UK for UK registered cars - they need to stop and fine you... or catch-up with you at the border...

There's also the European good samaritan law that requires you to stop and provide assistance in the event of an accident. So a first aid kit and fire extinguisher wouldn't go amiss either.

Edited 9 March, 201412 yr by JakeBlade

LOL - what kind of driver do you think I am        :rofl:      

 

Drunk and speeding   :devil:  

 

 

 

Chris

Vignette?

 

http://www.swisstravelsystem.co.uk/produkttexte.php?passid=5

Sorry - yes got that - the guy in S/Land sends one to me

 

 

Chris

Take a spare key with you just in case.

Good point !

 

 

Chris

Do I need towing mirrors ?

Chris

You'll need TWO warning triangles if you are towing - one for car, and one for trailer. 

 

High-Vis vest's must be "in" the vehicle. 

 

Al. 

Here's a new one. Got stopped three months ago in Strasbourg with a rear number plate hanging off my '62 Superb Combi at 10 in the night. Plate originally stuck on by UK dealer. Gendarmes were really friendly, escorted me to my hotel and asked me to get it fixed the next morning. They said law in France is plates need to be screwed on. I got a tyre place to do it.

Then today (as I drove from home to Muenster, Germany) spotted a Gendarme in the petrol station just off the Chunnel in Calais checking plates of UK cars as I refuelled...I walked him why...it's now a €60 fine for stuck-on plates. Not such a nice Gendarme. First time I've felt glad I was 'screwed'...

Here's a new one. Got stopped three months ago in Strasbourg with a rear number plate hanging off my '62 Superb Combi at 10 in the night. Plate originally stuck on by UK dealer. Gendarmes were really friendly, escorted me to my hotel and asked me to get it fixed the next morning. They said law in France is plates need to be screwed on. I got a tyre place to do it.

Then today (as I drove from home to Muenster, Germany) spotted a Gendarme in the petrol station just off the Chunnel in Calais checking plates of UK cars as I refuelled...I walked him why...it's now a €60 fine for stuck-on plates. Not such a nice Gendarme. First time I've felt glad I was 'screwed'...

Should inform dealers or Pentagon who prepare Skoda lease cars , nearly lost my rear plate on my " Ex UK Skoda " lease car in Spain, which was stuck on with TWO stickers. I had some black gaffer tape which I stuck it back using the tape on the outside edges , it was like this when I traded it in . My Superb has properly screwed on plates, one less thing to worry about when I tow my van back to the Costa del Sol next month

Edited 11 March, 201412 yr by mellyboy

Don't forget your breathalyser kits. Mandatory in France.

Just to clarify.

 

Breathalyser are not mandatory in France and never were, it looked as if they were going to be until they found the brother of the minister responsible for the proposed change in legislation was the owner of the biggest Alchotest manufacturing company.

 

Also in France it is compulsory for us to have the number plate riveted on, screws are not allowed! Some sort of crime prevention measure from long ago. A friend was stopped with his trailer number plate stuck on and 90 euros later he called in for me to rivet the plate on. Not possible on a caravan so stuck on is allowed.

Edited 1 April, 201412 yr by niveketak

Just to clarify.

 

Breathalyser are not mandatory in France and never were, it looked as if they were going to be until they found the brother of the minister responsible for the proposed change in legislation was the owner of the biggest Alchotest manufacturing company.

 

Also in France it is compulsory for us to have the number plate riveted on, screws are not allowed! Some sort of crime prevention measure from long ago. A friend was stopped with his trailer number plate stuck on and 90 euros later he called in for me to rivet the plate on. Not possible on a caravan so stuck on is allowed.

As a UK traveler, non rivet plates are allowed, because we don't rivet no plates in the UK. 

am i correct in saying that if i have the xenon head lights, i just need to set travel mode on in the MFD rather than having to buy those light beam changers?

am i correct in saying that if i have the xenon head lights, i just need to set travel mode on in the MFD rather than having to buy those light beam changers?

Correct, nothing else needed.

wooohooo, one less hassle this year when packing to go away!

Her indoors was stopped in Germany, the cops checked everything and eventually b@llocked her for not having enough plasters in Her first aid kit

Edited 4 April, 201412 yr by peterposh

And most importantly enjoy yourself. Having lived on continental Europe for five years whilst in forces, had a brilliant time driving all over Europe and never had problems with police in any country apart from UK on returns to visit family

And most importantly enjoy yourself. Having lived on continental Europe for five years whilst in forces, had a brilliant time driving all over Europe and never had problems with police in any country apart from UK on returns to visit family

+1

I'm not a member of the forces but have been driving around and through Europe for many, many years. Keep your wits about you, and enjoy yourself.

John