New French law

[Wapping]

I believe its an offence for anyone to drive in with Uncorrected Defective Eyesight

I know you are right.

Now, what has that got to do with carrying two pairs of spectacles or a yellow jerkin in France, the subject of this thread?

The subject is: New draconian laws in France, requiring (amongst other things) the carrying of two pairs of milk bottles.

One simple question: If you do not need glasses to see to drive a vehicle safely, do you need to buy two pairs of spectacles in order to drive in France? Yes or no?

Of course, if the answer is: 'Yes, I need to wear glasses' and 'Yes, I need to drive vehicle in class XYZ, so I have an 01 stamped on my licence' then you'll need to be wearing glasses and carry a spare pair in France.

But, if the answer is: 'No, I can see perfectly well, I do not need glasses, nor am I driving vehicle XYZ', then no glasses (or even a spar pair) are needed.

 

[AlanI]

coming into force "in the spring" Reported on Monday of this week by the Confederation of Passenger Transport.

All drivers of "all" vehicles will be required to carry a disposable breathalyser or face a 17 Euro fine. This will run alongside the HV vest and a spare pair of glasses (if worn) rules.

This is the same as Germany.

I don't know where you got this information from but it's most definitely wrong.

As most members here are from the UK I had a quick look at your AA site here http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/index.html and found the following. Note that it was last updated June 2011 and that the text states that the advice will be updated once official confirmation of the detail and effective date.

Possible changes to rules for bikers in France

You may have heard reports that the French will introduce some new safety rules later this year, including some for motorcyclists that could affect visiting bikers as well as locals.

Compulsory wearing of hi-vis jackets for motorcyclists has been mentioned alongside other more general measures including more severe penalties for excessive speeding, tighter rules on the use of speed camera warning devices and tougher penalties for drink driving and use of mobile phones while driving.

There has apparently been a very negative response from French motorists and the proposed rules are expected to be modified or even abandoned as a result.

We'll update our travel advice for France as soon as we have official confirmation of the detail and effective date for any new rules affecting UK drivers or riders.

(7 June 2011)

 

[Patventure]

Sad, but...

The only way we might know all this for sure is when someone annoys a Gendarme and gets the book thrown at them!

It's be really good to get a definitive 'Must Have' list here and I appreciate that it can be difficult to separate rumour from fact. That's why we're here I suppose!

So, aside from personal recommendations, the list of legal requirements are;

* Driving License
* V5/tax book
* Proof of insurance
* GB or IRL sticker

and.....?

If we can define this it will save some of us alot of hassle!

Many thanks,

Patrick.

 

[Wapping]

A turnip.

You must have a turnip. It's the law.

 

[ChasF]

I get stopped often by the Gendarmes usually when I'm on a trail bike. We have discussions about indicators, mirrors, clean headlights and number plate dimensions. No one has ever mentioned reflective patches on helmets which I now believe has been required for years. There is no consistency in what they'll turn a blind eye to. I was stopped half a dozen times and each time they looked at the no. plate and said it was OK another time I get a €90 fine and it's no good saying 'your mate's let me off 6 times before'.

 

[Bury_Dave]

I get stopped often by the Gendarmes usually when I'm on a trail bike. We have discussions about indicators, mirrors, clean headlights and number plate dimensions. No one has ever mentioned reflective patches on helmets which I now believe has been required for years. There is no consistency in what they'll turn a blind eye to. I was stopped half a dozen times and each time they looked at the no. plate and said it was OK another time I get a €90 fine and it's no good saying 'your mate's let me off 6 times before'.

C'est la vie,
c'est le guerre
c'est l'amour

 

[Simon.B]

So where does one buy a disposable breathalyser then??

Do you mean if one wears glasses, one must have a spare pair??? Will contact lenses do???

Cheers

Brought a handful of disposable breath kits from L'elerc motorist shop in Auch France at the weekend. Less than 2€'s for a twin pack. Apparently this law comes into effect in a few days time.

 

[Selous]

Its only because I have to under go a medical every 5 years to renew my C+E driving licence entitlement that the "01" code is added, and only recently has it been added due to an over zellous doctor ticking an extra box. So its unlikely that mere mortals will have the "01" code, unless they gave the information to DVLA when applying for their licence (new or replacement), or adding a new catagory. BUT it might be interesting to find out if any mere mortals do have the "01" code and are not aware of it.

I just chked my licence had it from when I passed my test, never worn glasses, then when I come back from Gulf 2 I got a new licence with photo.
I have no numbers or codes.

 

[Hustler]

Brought a handful of disposable breath kits from L'elerc motorist shop in Auch France at the weekend. Less than 2€'s for a twin pack. Apparently this law comes into effect in a few days time.

I'm going brave and obstinate on this one and not buying them.
If I don't wear glasses I don't need a spare pair.
So therefore if I don't drink I don't need a breathalyzer kit.
Should be an interesting conversation in my not very good French with the gendarme.

 

[AlanI]

Well here's the latest from the AA dated 23rd Feb 2012 http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/driving-abroad-whats-new-2012.html As they also go on to say, more details expected in March so bookmarking this page and re-visiting it again at a later date might not be a bad thing.

This pdf also referred to in the earlier link provides further info especially as concerns reflective clothing http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/france-monaco.pdf

 

[L'Escargot]

Hi Viz Overjacket.

Bought a Dri Viz overjacket type thingy made by Frank Thomas t'other day,£19.99. It's got elasticated sides etc and I got a large one on easily over my Hein Gericke touring jacket.I just thought sod it,wether they become Law or not at least I've got one ! OK you may look/feel a bit of a knob but what the hell,if it keeps me alive I'll do it. !!
Oxford do a nice one but its about ten quid more.It does look nicer but hey ho,it aint a fashion statement is it ?
As stated above,the one I bought is Elasticated with a substantial Zip up the front and a Mobile phone pocket inside.It doesnt come down the body too far so doesnt stop me getting at me Jacket pockets to get me wallet out and pay me fines for owt else the Buggers decide to nick me for.
With regard to Satnav camera warnings,I updated my subscription the other day on my Tomtom and it asks if you want to permanently remove the warnings for France,so I did.
I'm no Angel and travel to/through France quite often but I,m just gonna have to be more careful if I dont wanna lose my Bike etc.
Loadsa Breathalyzers on Amazon etc but dont know if acceptable to the French Police.
Look forward to any comments/advice on this.
Cheers all.
Be safe.
Charlie.

 

[mcinlb]

I will be touring in various countries at the end of July and bought this
"BACtrack Keychain Breathalyzer" from Amazon, £18.90.
Chose this as reviews seem to say it works ok.

 

[Cogs]

latest up-to-date info from MAG UK..

"Although the new Hi-viz rules in France aren't due to be enforced until Jan next year, the necessity to carry a disposable breathalyser will be live from 1st July this year.
Alcohol is a factor in more French accidents than speed is, but generally involves those extreme offenders who are 2 or 3 times over the limit. The French limit is 50mg per 100ml of blood, as opposed to our UK 80mg level, so it is remarkably easy to be over the limit with perhaps one drink, dependant on circumstance.
Obviously not drinking at all before riding, is the best practise, but now you will be penalised regardless of alcohol consumption, but rather the carrying of something to test whether or not you are over the limit! Even T-Totallers are going to fall foul of this one.
The fine will be 11 Euros so is clearly just an income stream as compliance can be checked in association with any other offence or stop and check situation. The units themselves can be bought for about 2 Euros and will be available at ports and on ferries.
Bear in mind, many of these new laws affecting motoring in France may be in jeopardy anyway, depending on the results of the elections that will be running in April. The opposition are aware just how unpopular they are and may well overthrow them before they are enacted.
If you are planning a trip this summer, please remember that as things stand, compulsory headlight use exists, as does carrying a set of spare bulbs and you should probably ride on the right.... The 4 reflective stickers on your helmet is a rule that has been in for about 10 years, but I've never heard of a case of the police enforcing it for non-French Nationals. "

Paddy Tyson

 

[Popell]

Is this a joke (breathalyser) ??

Who tells you when to stop blowing?

 

[Popell]

Glad I bought a GSA with metal luggage all round last year then. Sounds like I'm going to need all that pannier space for all the gear I'll need to take with me to France. What will they insist on next? Condoms? a tent? clean underwear (not usually an issue )..!

Don't joke about the condoms - I missed a connection back from Nigeria with AirFrance necessitating an overnight hotel stay courtesy of Air France, gave us all an overnight bag and a tee shirt!
Got home and my wife found an AF condom in the overnight washbag!!
Still not sure that she believed my explanation so me trying to tell her 'it's the law' when setting off through France may cause some grief!!

 

[repomanbe]

The law requires I carry a spare set of bulbs for my car, what about us Meganne owners who need access to a workshop to dismantle the car to actually change a bulb?

If I use my one shot breathalyzer to see if I'm OK to drive then get stopped by Plod I no longer have a breathalyzer! So the law really requires you carry two, non?

 

[Cogs]

Who tells you when to stop blowing?

When the bag is fully inflated.

I've playerd with one of the french DIY testers, you have been able to buy them out of vending machines for years

 

[JWFr]

One or two things that have come up on this thread I might be able to help with!

1. Number plate sizes. The size of the number plate must conform to the regulations of the country of registration. It has nothing to do with local law.

2. Glasses or sight correction. If you have an 01 against your category you must wear sight correction to drive that category. If you have an 01, you must carry a spare pair. If you wear contact lenses you must either carry a spare set OR a pair of equivalent glasses.

2a. Beware the sunglasses trap in France. Sun glasses used for ski-ing, offshore sailing , mountaineeering, in category 4 are forbidden for driving.

3. Breathaliser kits carried in France, must conform to NF ( Norme Francaise). EU Norme is not the same thing, so anything you see on electronic devices which says EU Norme, may not necessarily be O.K. in France, and if Monsieur soldier in blue has got it in for you, your stuffed. It is safer to buy the prepacked pair of blow up testers for about 2 Euros from a French retailer, because they will conform.

4. Always carry two breathaliser kits, cos if you use one you must have a spare. It will be an infraction ( €11 or €17 depending on which reports you read) not to carry at least one which is unused.

5. One thing which is frequently forgotten is First aid kits. First aid kits are obligatory in cars, alongside hi viz vest ( one for each passenger and driver) and triangle. Bikes are not obliged to carry the triangle, and the hi viz reflective material ( 125cm2) becomes law for two wheel motorised vehicles ( except mopeds) from Jan 2013. Even though First aid Kits are not mentioned for bikes sepcifically in the law, the law says 'vehicules', which generically covers all forms of motorised transport. It is advisable to carry a small kit on a bike.

It's a nightmare trying to keep up with all the changes even for those of us who live in France. It must be doubly so for visitors.

 

[cookie]

2a. Beware the sunglasses trap in France. Sun glasses used for ski-ing, offshore sailing , mountaineeering, in category 4 are forbidden for driving.

what does that mean?

glasses i've worn skiing can't be worn while driving? are there some kind of glasses made specifically for skiing, cos i've never seen any?

 

[swissrob]

means glasses designed for high sunlight are not allowed to be used for driving which makes sense. There are specific glasses available for skiing.