Driving in Europe

[TyUk]

I'm half planning a road trip to the South of Frace or maybe Spain. Can any of you guys offer me any hints, tips or pearls of wisdom (for the oldies ) about driving , laws etc in these countries? Any info would be great as i'm thinking about going next week!

Thanks


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[Fuchs]

Drive on the right !!!!! :wink:

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[Ville Leino]

Speed limit is 110km/h when it rains, 130km/h otherwise.

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[Carrera]

Leave your Radar detector etc at home!

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[Martin Rose]

take the Autoroute if you are in a hurry - otherwise stick on the N or D roads for more interesting driving. And try out your French, they will appreciate it....

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[TyUk]

Thanks guys...keep'em coming. Guess you could say this is a crash course on driving in europe!

Couple of questions:

• Are there a lot of service stations?

• Do they sell super unleaded?

• Are authorities tough on speeders?

• Would it be easy to drive 1500 miles in one day?

• Do i still need a GB sticker?

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[Porsche]

yes

yes

yes

but not easy... you would need to share the driving

yes


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[Charlie heeley]

Dont take GB sticker as you advertise the fact you are from the UK. It will highlight to the police that 1. you are english and cant speed at home cos of speed cameras so you come to france to do it and 2. you drive a porsche so you are definately here for reason 1. Service stations are everywhere and on some of the toll roads they are more like 5 star hotels compared to ours and they do sell super as well but may be labelled differently so just look for 98ron on the pumps. The authorities are getting tougher but compared to UK its great. Put right foot down as this increases width of grin and when stopped by the Fuzz, plead ignorant say how beautiful their conuntry is and how you love saucison sec and snails, pay fine and repeat over saying the same but explaining you were doing 130........err miles ph.......

1500 is do-able but take it easy as you dont want to fall asleep and wreck your pride and joy and there are so many beautiful places on the way down why rush it. Like Martin says there are some beautiful A and B roads so make it an experience.

Enjoy Lucky B£$5ard


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[Monique]

Quote: Originally posted by Sundeep on 24 August 2005

yes

yes

yes

but not easy... you would need to share the driving

yes

Hello Sundeep,



Unless the UK rules still require the UK sticker, these are no longer needed. None on any of the cars sold for at least 4 years.

The French authorities are EXTREMELY tough on UK speeders. No kidding.

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[supersport]

I was under the impression that all new number plates have the EU stars with the GB or whatever country tag in the middle.

Just spent two weeks in France, and yes the back roads are definitely more interesting and surprisingly good quality. I actually slowed down and enjoyed the view.

I would also say that the French road manners are a lot better than ours, didn't seem to find myself endlessly stuck behind some idiot in the fast lane doing 50 and refusing to pull over. Was very obvious when we got home as it started almost as soon as we got off the ferry!

Don't forget you head lamp adjuster things.

S


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[LOJO]

One weird thing - on Sundays petrol stations are unmanned and only take French debit cards - nothing elsee, no cash and no UK chip-n-pin cards. So you may have to find a nice person with a local card and pay them cash to put petrol in your car with their card...

Or better, fill up during office hours.

LJ


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[supersport]

This is also the case for the 24 hour ones, so definitely fill up during office ours - we got court out, but luckily there was a very nice chap that was able to help.



S


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[porkapig]

just comeback from france - definately agree with the comment on french driving standards - travelled along west coast on twin lane rn165 - no lane hogging and letting people out of the slip roads.

re gb plates - get scottish ones - they seem to have the celtic charm over there - and speak some french if stopped

toll roads - wouldnt use them - the RN, D etc are really high quality and you see a lot more of the country.

also remember on toll roads you are timed from one station to the next - not good when you have a police booth at each end! - we got passed a few years ago by a renault alpine at very high speed - stopped at the other end when paying (he he)


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[Seagull]

[No message]

 

[Used Porsche]

In Antibes after 450 miles from Bergerac today - 10am to 7.30pm with only fuel and sandwich stops. Lots of rain as I reached south of Toulouse.

Stick close to speed limits especially in towns. They have radar - mobile and fixed although less than 10 percent of the UK - saw a small white van with flash and camera mounted in rear door in Bergerac. So innocent at the side of the road.
And a civilian car with a young lady in overalls in Nice.
This week a Police motorcycle with a passenger carrying a radar gun pointed at me - but I was legal.
Carry all vehicle Documentation and driving license and Insurance.
First aid kit.
Red triangle and spare bulb kit. Tyre inflator.
Fuel is between 1.25 and 1.38 a liter for 98 unleaded.
GB sign (inside Euro stars is fine) is MANDATORY. And they recognise UK cars - not hard with rhd and unique numberplates - they are not stupid. French drivers often flash you to warn of Police ahead.

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