Carrying Documents
- Thread starter Doc
- Start date
No wasn't waisting one
A simple nuance of the UK, lost on Johnny Foreigner.
All they are interested in is a document that looks pretty much real, has the details of the vehicle and hopefully a name / address that matches the bod’s driving licence and, if push comes to shove, a name that matches that shown in the bod’s passport. 99 times out of 100. the simple V5 does that; it’s all that matters on the side of the road, with plod asking for “les papiers”.
When we had company cars at work, useable for personal fun, the V5 was in the name of our employer. We used to be given a copy, along with a headed letter that confirming that we:
A. Had permission to take the vehicle out of the country
B. Were the duly authorised driver of the vehicle.
When a Frenchman decided to use the rear of my XR3i Turbo as a method of stopping his car at a junction, the French police were perfectly happy with A and B. Whether they could actually read the documents, I did not enquire. This was pre picture driving licences; mine looked more like a string vest. That didn’t bother the policeman either. Yup, they prosecuted Mr Frog.
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This reminds me of the system for boat registration. If you have a boat/yacht etc. without a mortgage, then you can use a "Part 3" Registration in the UK.. it's largely meaningless and can easily be obtained online if you need it. It used to be a A5 laminated thing... now, you have to print it yourself if you want a hardcopy. No authority in the UK will ask you for it. It was only invented to please the French... because if you sailed across the channel and checked into a French port... they demanded to see a registration document.
Simply put - because it's the law of the land in which you are a guest.
I have everything on my iPhone and in the iCloud as well as the originals..
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Provides details of the vehicle, including frame number, etc. and whoever is the keeper.
Even just the vehicle information is necessary.
Vehicle documents in countries like Italy will have tyre sizes (with optional sizes as well) so that the police can check everything is up to spec.
It is mostly to identify/verify the vehicle more than just assessing the owner. They normally check that the markings (mostly VIN) is the same across insurance/plate on the vehicle/V5 or whatever documentation exists.
Most times they are not aware that the V5 indicates keeper, not owner. Had to explain a couple of times.
Italy is the same as France and Germany. You have to take with you the (annoying) paperwork*.
Over the years I resorted to always having a digital copy with me of everything. I lost count of the number of times I realised I left the V5 for the car or bike at home while I was already around Dijon.
I've been stopped a few times for random checks I always presented the digital copy and they never said anything. Obviously have your license, proper one, not a copy.
I spend a fair amount of time with my vehicles in Italy generally, and there the fine for not having the documents with you is about 40 euros and then you have to bring the originals to the police within 24 hours.
When there, I leave the V5 in my luggage at home or in the hotel, or wherever and rely on the digital copy if I get stopped.
I've yet to be fined, but I'll gladly pay the 40 when it happens.
Same technique all over Europe.
Been stopped, with the car, in Switzerland ones and I got a bit scared, but they were ok with not seeing the paper copy.
*if you loose the paperwork you have to re-register the car. Ask me how I know.
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The French are prepared to accept a digital proof of insurance. That said, it is easier to give them a piece of paper, than fiddling around with a phone (especially if it’s raining) on the side of the road, when all you can find is some risqué jokes, sent via WhatsApp.
Of course the piece of paper can be forged, as can the digital version; but hey-ho, if you are not a criminal or a dodgy bikermate, you’ll not be needing to explain too much more to the police.
Of course the piece of paper can be forged, as can the digital version; but hey-ho, if you are not a criminal or a dodgy bikermate, you’ll not be needing to explain too much more to the police.
This makes sense. At last you and Wessie seem to grasp the question I asked. For your answer I thank you. The halfwits that don’t, didn’t understand not so much.Provides details of the vehicle, including frame number, etc. and whoever is the keeper.
Even just the vehicle information is necessary.
Vehicle documents in countries like Italy will have tyre sizes (with optional sizes as well) so that the police can check everything is up to spec.
It is mostly to identify/verify the vehicle more than just assessing the owner. They normally check that the markings (mostly VIN) is the same across insurance/plate on the vehicle/V5 or whatever documentation exists.
Most times they are not aware that the V5 indicates keeper, not owner. Had to explain a couple of times.
Italy is the same as France and Germany. You have to take with you the (annoying) paperwork*.
Over the years I resorted to always having a digital copy with me of everything. I lost count of the number of times I realised I left the V5 for the car or bike at home while I was already around Dijon.
I've been stopped a few times for random checks I always presented the digital copy and they never said anything. Obviously have your license, proper one, not a copy.
I spend a fair amount of time with my vehicles in Italy generally, and there the fine for not having the documents with you is about 40 euros and then you have to bring the originals to the police within 24 hours.
When there, I leave the V5 in my luggage at home or in the hotel, or wherever and rely on the digital copy if I get stopped.
I've yet to be fined, but I'll gladly pay the 40 when it happens.
Same technique all over Europe.
Been stopped, with the car, in Switzerland ones and I got a bit scared, but they were ok with not seeing the paper copy.
*if you loose the paperwork you have to re-register the car. Ask me how I know.
That strategy is great - apart from when you travel to countries where you can’t get the bike across the border without the V5 - and copies won’t suffice…
I think they are, at least in the west.
If you hire a car in France, the registration is in the glovebox/docs.
In Germany the registration is in 2 parts. The "Brief" is kept at home or by the owner and the "Schein" stays in the car.
There was a similar system with the "Deel 1, 2 & 3" in Holland, now replaced by a card with a chip in it. I bet that could be a pain, out of country
.
Who the feck are you, the Headmaster? Or just the fanny you come across as?
First trip abroad on the steed of awesomeness, going to Sids
lots of cars flashing lights on a nice main road
Two armed & raybanned gendarmerys, jumped out a side road and gave me the international sign to STOP ,
Puis-je voir votre permis de conduire et vos documents d'assurance s'il vous plaît ?
je ne parle pas français was my smooth reply
Can i see your driving licence & insurance documents please
no problem says I , but before i could even get the docs out of my tank bag, he was looking at the tabnav of awsomness
"where are you going" Mr Gendarmry asks,
valilles says i
Cue the gallic shrug , and points to the nav ,
After pinching and scrolling and zooming to my final destination, he looks at me, shakes his head , says ohhh and laughs
Any thing to drink?
No
Smoke
No
Enjoy your trip
I point to the nav & ask your think i'm mad 
" A little", was his reply, A big smile , and stops the traffic & waves me on my way
See it pays to have your documents
lots of cars flashing lights on a nice main road
Two armed & raybanned gendarmerys, jumped out a side road and gave me the international sign to STOP ,
Puis-je voir votre permis de conduire et vos documents d'assurance s'il vous plaît ?je ne parle pas français was my smooth reply Can i see your driving licence & insurance documents please no problem says I , but before i could even get the docs out of my tank bag, he was looking at the tabnav of awsomness "where are you going" Mr Gendarmry asks, valilles says i Cue the gallic shrug , and points to the nav , After pinching and scrolling and zooming to my final destination, he looks at me, shakes his head , says ohhh and laughs Any thing to drink? No Smoke No Enjoy your trip I point to the nav & ask your think i'm mad " A little", was his reply, A big smile , and stops the traffic & waves me on my waySee it pays to have your documents
The truth is that none of us here is competent to answer the question as to 'why'.
You would need to ask a legislators of the country involved, not us.
Different rules here...c'est la vie, as they say ...
You would need to ask a legislators of the country involved, not us.
Different rules here...c'est la vie, as they say ...
I just don`t bother.
Leave all paperwork at home with the butter.
Never seen a Rozzer anywhere.
Polite conversation, including an informal job offer, that is enough to turn anyones head.
Leave all paperwork at home with the butter.
Never seen a Rozzer anywhere.
Polite conversation, including an informal job offer, that is enough to turn anyones head.
I can also confirm that Monsignor Flat Bed - will not lift you from the autostrader when broken down without taking your V5 and keeping it till either you pay, or your recovery insurance tells him they will pay….
Oh how I laughed when my dead Harley was taken to a Peugeot dealer
Oh how I laughed when my dead Harley was taken to a Peugeot dealer
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at least he didn't take it to a Fendt dealer
I’m here all week …..
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Always take my docs abroad.
Never been pulled( maybe cos I don’t ride like a twat)
Don’t carry docs in the U.K..
Never been pulled ( see above)
Never been pulled( maybe cos I don’t ride like a twat)
Don’t carry docs in the U.K..
Never been pulled ( see above)
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