VCDS - Adjusting Headlights for Europe

[toyneg]

awesome, thanks guys for all the additional tips on driving in Europe, will make sure I have everything I need.

[PetrolDave]

Forgot to add that it is now compulsory to carry a breathalyser kit in France.

Hope this helps.

This wasn't being enforced when I went over in October, despite much confusion as to whether it was in play or not. AA site helped at the time.

Is it definitely an requirement now?

You need to carry TWO, so that you still have one if you use one - Halfrauds sell the packs of two.

It's a lottery if/when it's being enforced, but if you're stopped and don't have one then you risk an on the spot fine - cheaper to buy the breathalysers.

BTW they have a Use Before date, the ones I got last month expire in December 2014.

[Gizmo68]

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/ov ... -2012.html

Breathalysers
1 March 2012 - the French government confirmed that from 1 July 2012 drivers of all motor vehicles and motorcycles (excluding mopeds) must carry a breathalyser. The regulation will be enforced from 1 November 2012 and anyone stopped after that date who fails to produce a breathalyser when requested will receive an on the spot fine of €11.

October 2012 - the French government announced that the implementation of the sanction for drivers not carrying a breathalyser – a fine of €11 – has been postponed from 1 November 2012 to 1 March 2013.

January 2013 - the French government announced that the implementation of the sanction for drivers not carrying a breathalyser – a fine of €11 – has been postponed indefinitely.

So theoretically you are still required to carry a self-test breathalyser when driving in France but there is no current legislation demanding a fine for non-compliance.

The original official announcement stated that one unused, certified breathalyser must be produced showing the French certification mark NF. Carrying two single-use breathalysers will ensure that if one is used or damaged, you will still have a spare to produce. The breathalyser produced has to be in date - single-use breathalysers normally have a validity of twelve months.

[murph7355]

Still, Halfords have made a few quid

Is the idea that you use it yourself to see if you're over? Or a cost cutting measure for les gendarmes so they no longer have to have them....?

[Gizmo68]

Or a cost cutting measure for les gendarmes so they no longer have to have them....?

^^^ This, cheeky buggers.