Headlight Beam Convertors

[SJFISHER67]

Guys and Gals,

I am taking my Super B to France over the next weekend, never driven abroad before, and I am ashamed to admit it, never left the country before, which is sad for a 26 year old.

My question is, where do I need to fit the headlight beam deflectors? As I can't seem to locate my manual at the moment.

Also, I know that I need to carry a warning triangle (which is fitted in the boot), I have GB number plates with the Euro bit on the edge, I will have a green card from the insurers by then.

Have I missed anything else?

Regards and Thanks

SJ

[SJFISHER67]

Oh and before anyone says it, yes I do have a passport! lol

[RobS]

There are a few requirements for driving in France. I guess most will not matter too much unless you get stopped by a stroppy traffic cop.

For driving in France, you should have with you:

Vehicle Registration Document

Insurance Cerificate and Green card, as you've already mentioned

Driving Licence

GB Sticker (Unless your Euro plates have the "GB" letters, which I assume they have)

Warning triangle (recommended only)

Headlamp deflectors

Snow chains in some resorts

Refelective Vest (recommended only)

If you get some headlamp deflectors from Halford, they have instructions on where to stick them, so to speak!

Rob

[Stuart_J]

Watch the speed limits, especially on the motorways & especially close to the Ferry ports. The French are getting very hot on speeding & are specifically targeting foreigners rushing to catch ferries. The traps are normally a few miles before the toll booths but in August they had some many miles from the tolls with Bikes & Imprezas doing the chasing. We saw 3 on one journey alone.

They normally use Dark Blue vans & cars tucked into the side on the motorway & behind or on bridges.

There are also a couple of cameras approaching Calais which I understand are linked to the toll booths.

Carry a few hundred Euros just in case you get stopped as its on the spot fines & if you dont have the readies you will be escorted to a cash machine.

Radar detectors are Illegal !!, if caught its about 400 Euro fine & the units confiscated, if you have one (they work on the Radar traps) always remove it when in town & especially at the toll booths.

You probably know but your Sat nav wont work in France unless you buy another disc but the Michelin maps are excellent.

French motorways have a dual speedlimit of 130 KPH (80mph) in the dry, 110 KPH (70 mph) in the wet which is well posted but can be confusing the first time you see it

French lane discipline on motorways is a lot better than ours BUT they expect you to get out of the way when not overtaking.

Overall driving standards are better than ours & you should find driving very straightforward & stress free

Only other tip as you are new to France is to make a mental that every time you get back into the car to remember which side of the road you are on, especially if you start your journey on single track rural roads. You usually remember it the first few times but when you relax you can sometimes forget, I have :O

[Baker21]

There are a few requirements for driving in France. I guess most will not matter too much unless you get stopped by a stroppy traffic cop.

For driving in France, you should have with you:

Vehicle Registration Document

Insurance Cerificate and Green card, as you've already mentioned

Driving Licence

GB Sticker (Unless your Euro plates have the "GB" letters, which I assume they have)

Warning triangle (recommended only)

Headlamp deflectors

Snow chains in some resorts

Refelective Vest (recommended only)

If you get some headlamp deflectors from Halford, they have instructions on where to stick them, so to speak!

Rob

Legally you should also carry a 'Spare Bulb Kit' around with you if driving abroad.

[Stuart_J]

Legally you should also carry a 'Spare Bulb Kit' around with you if driving abroad.

well done, forgot that one

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 4000 posts

Is that good or Sad

[Baker21]

well done, forgot that one

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 4000 posts

Is that good or Sad

LOL, I suppose that's a good thing?

[Tiptronic]

LOL, I suppose that's a good thing?

Who for?

[richardcrossley]

Legally you should also carry a 'Spare Bulb Kit' around with you if driving abroad.

But you try buying a spare headlamp bulb and what about the fitting instructions. I have bi-xenons and managed a 4000 mile trip across Europe without any hassel. I had a bulb kit for everything else though.

Some countries (not sure about France) you need two triangles - My Superb has one in the boot lid and I had another one lying around house.

[Baker21]

But you try buying a spare headlamp bulb and what about the fitting instructions. I have bi-xenons and managed a 4000 mile trip across Europe without any hassel. I had a bulb kit for everything else though.

The Superb is a 'Service' only headlamp, meaning that you have to take it to a 'stealer' to get a bulb changed as it's, in most cases, a headlamp off job.

Xenon bulbs are not likely to blow by design.

Your bulbkit will only be used for your rearlamps but if you don't have one and a headlamp bulb is out and you get stopped then the French Police may or may not be very understanding?!?!

[Stuart_J]

Spare Xenon bulbs for the Mk 1 Octy from a Skoda stealer are

[Stuart_J]

To add on the Octy its also a dealer job to change the sidelight bulb as its within the unit, silly or what

[Baker21]

To add on the Octy its also a dealer job to change the sidelight bulb as its within the unit, silly or what

That's how Skoda make money!!! Stealer's!!!

[richardcrossley]

Why can't the head light adjustment be hooked up to the Sat Nav, it knows where you are :-)

[Stuart_J]

Why can't the head light adjustment be hooked up to the Sat Nav, it knows where you are :-)

Brilliant Idea, I would sneak off & sell that idea to Mercedes and RR, I bet they havent thought of that

[Baker21]

Brilliant Idea, I would sneak off & sell that idea to Mercedes and RR, I bet they havent thought of that

They aren't far off it mate, 'we' have already implemented AFS, Static Bending and are now working on a full LED Headlamp for the future!!