France holidays list (valid at Summer 2017):
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Sun cream, sun hats, sandals, UVA/UVB shades. https://www.sunproof.co.uk/store/
do decent kit, esp. decent shades for the nippers
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Headlamp converters. This was
easy on old-style glass headlamps – there was a helpful line carved in the
glass and you just stuck the light-blocker on where indicated. However, with modern lights – high-powered
bulbs behind a Perspex etc cover – very hard to know where exactly to put the
damned thing. It’s necessary though –
when you dip, your lights dip to the left.
In mainland Europe, that means your dipped beam is hitting oncoming
traffic right in the eyes, and you will attract a lot of angry attention and
will probably get fined. Best to check
in with a dealership before you head.
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High-viz vests for all passengers (legal requirement to keep in
passenger compartment – not in boot)
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IRL sticker (technically incorrect, but main thing is to show you’re
foreign to alert to RHD. We had ones
you stuck on the numberplates.
Confused the hell out of the Guard when we came back off the ferry in
Rosslare.)
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Warning triangle. German cars
will have this as standard.
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Spare bulbs kit
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In-date breathalyser kit
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Car docs in wallet (copy all and have set of originals and set of
copies) : Passport, Driving Licence, Proof of Ownership (V5 Log book),
Insurance Documents, M.O.T. cert
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Check insurance covers abroad.
Consider getting specific cover for your trip from e.g. the AA. Legally, you need to ensure you have at
least third-party cover; but if you do have a breakdown, better to be dealing
with someone who can sort you out with a French mechanic garage over the
phone.
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Tom tom – get top of range one, it’s excellent; the 6200 one. Shop around for best deal. Don’t bother with dash mounting, standard
windscreen mounting works great.
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Liber-T toll tag – not necessary to have, but works in most toll
roads; though be aware that many just issue a ticket at entry toll and this
has to be paid in cash or card on exit.
No harm to have it though; just make sure enough dosh in your
underlying account. Get from https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/
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NB: Avoid Paris, Lyons and Grenoble as you will be fined if
not have an emissions sticker
NB: If you’re crossing into Switzerland, they don’t do normal tolls. Every motorist pays an annual €40 or so to
get a green sticker called a ‘vignette’ which you have to display on your
windscreen or risk a 2k fine. It is good
value if you were staying there longer; but you need to get it even if you’re
only passing through. You can buy them
in service stations; get one at border as you go in. It’s designed to be impossible to tear off
and re-use; be careful putting it on.
