riding tips for france?

[mealexme]

I have read tips for riding in france by normad but its slightly out of date, as now I believe you need to take breathalisers etc

I have so many questions, does anyone know of a website that can give indepth road laws/rules?

I have heard many new laws in france incl high viz, but do you need to adhere to them if you are just visiting the country?

What are the laws/rules? Basically I have only ever ridden in the UK and dont know much about other countries road laws or even road signs/road markings. I presume they are roughly the same as ours?

filtering legal?

Are roads tolled? All of them? How much? How to pay?

speeding tickets - how much? How many can you get before the bike is taken away? If I get ticketed in france, do I get points on my licence or are the DVLA informed?

Just general info, please

[Susieque]

I'm not totally sure of the new laws in France - Rennie rode to Spain 5 years ago so may be able to help with some stuff.

The main motorways are toll roads, but there are plenty of dual carriageways that are non-toll, some of them run alongside the toll roads!!

Someone may correct me if I'm wrong but I've got a feeling that you might not be able to ride abroad on a restricted licence though!!

[MattB]

As long as you are riding in accordance with your licence it is valid throughout the EU.

The AA has most of the answers:

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/index.html

[Chrissb6]

This might help:

http://visitnormandy.wordpress.com/2012 ... s-in-2012/

We went through France on our way to the Belgium F1 with no issues

[Bigralphie]

I have read tips for riding in france by normad but its slightly out of date, as now I believe you need to take breathalisers etc...Yes at least one but best to buy a twin pack

I have heard many new laws in france incl high viz, but do you need to adhere to them if you are just visiting the country... Hi viz is not required for bikes yet but a cheap vest stuck under your seat is a good idea

What are the laws/rules? Basically I have only ever ridden in the UK and dont know much about other countries road laws or even road signs/road markings. I presume they are roughly the same as ours?.... yep except your on the other side,, make sure you have insurance/license/V5/Passport to hand if stopped this will normally mean you are just waved on .

filtering legal?... not sure but the locals do so meh

Are roads tolled? All of them? How much? How to pay? Yes french autoroutes are but you only need to use them if your making up time ,always use manned both,s to pay or you will pay the car rate ,cash/CC

speeding tickets - how much? How many can you get before the bike is taken away? If I get ticketed in france, do I get points on my licence or are the DVLA informed?... a lot and if you dont have the money you will be escorted to a cash point if still no cash bike will be impounded. DONT SPEED IN TOWNS very frowned upon, technically you could get points the ability is available to the french but I yet to hear of anyone getting points

Just general info, please

[Guest]

on some toll roads bikes are free.......look for the gate on the right hand side.

[Ali in Austria]

Most motorways are tolls where you either take a ticket at the first Toll Booth you come to and pay when you exit or the Toll Zone changes, or if a short stretch you pay as you enter. Some stretches have no Tolls such as the one from Calais in to Belgium. Have easy access to money and somewhere to put the ticket. Most Toll Booths have a rest area immediately the other side, pull in to stow your money or ticket and replace your gloves. Don't hold the traffic up doing it at the booth.

Speeding fines are on the spot and they will take you to a Cash Point. The inability to pay can result in arrest. Never heard of anyone from the UK being pursued for a Camera Offence though.

In serious cases it can be a hefty fine, an instant ban and your bike seized. Some idiots I know regularly had this happen to them. Fines of around €700,-, a ban and the bike seized with the threat of destruction if it is not collected within 4 weeks by someone with a valid licence. They were the extreme though and the Police do tend to be more lenient away from the channel ports and Paris.

The failure to carry a breatherlyser will become enforceable with a small fine from November 2012. You need a reflective jacket in the event you break down on a motorway when you and any pillion must wear one. Carry spare bulbs and fuses because if you get stopped for a lighting defect and can't replace or fix it immediately you can be fined. Carry a small First Aid kit as their is a duty of care for all drivers & riders to render assistance in the event of an accident. You are meant to wear a certain amount of reflective clothing.

Speed limits are displayed at entry points to the country. France has lower limits in wet weather but these are also displayed. Towns and villages are usually 50kph and this is often enforced by way of Radar Traps. A Town or Village name will signify the start of the limit and a similar sign with a line through it as you leave will signify the end. It is their country, observe these limits and you won't go far wrong.

In some rural areas their is a bizarre system where you give way to traffic merging from the right, even if they are emerging from a side road. There are signs that indicate these zones. They are quite rare though.

Carry original Driving Licence, Insurance and Reg Doc. It is handy to have written notification from your Insurance Company that you are covered in France as the French Police don't have easy access to The MIB.

Some will post that they never bother with the above and have never had a problem. Good for them but they have been lucky.

Now you have the basic information you can relax and enjoy your trip.

[mealexme]

awesome! thanks guys!

Also going through spain, did you know on some one way streets in large cities have parking rules where on days with an odd date, you have to park on the side of the road with houses with odd numbers, on even dates its the other side...

[Ali in Austria]

No sooner than the question is asked, a victim comes along!

Taken from the TRC Forums

http://www.therevcounter.com/motorbike-touring-forum/81390-banned-in-france.html

I got back from a trip a few days ago.

To cut a long story short, I was caught speeding down on the N85 between Barreme and Castellane. Yes, yes....poor obs....I think I was 'got' by a hiding Police motorcyclist.

The limit was 90KMH, my speed was measured at 152KMH, 94MPH. Ironically, my police bike escorted ride to Digne les Bans (with blue flashing lights and sirens) was conducted at that exact speed.

I was pretty worried and thought for a time they were going to lock me up.

Due to me doing more than 40KMH over the limit, I was fined 750 Euros, banned immediately (driving licence taken) and had to park the bike up at the cop shop. I have since received confirmation that I am banned from driving in France for six months.

A very kind chap on our campsite rode the bike to the Italian border for me so I could get home.

All my own fault, and I'm kicking myself but there you go.

Be careful out there chaps, they mean business.

[thebiglad]

Just a quick update on French legal requirements for bikers:

1. Breathalyser requirement is finished so you can forget that;

2. CE-stamped gloves are mandatory from 01/10/2016;

3. Re alcohol in your blood, the level is so low you might just as well think of it as Zero;

3. Reflective bits on your clothing is a requirement but "Les Poulets" don't seem that bothered;

4. Always, always have your ORIGINAL driver license (both parts), registration document and original insurance cert with you - NOT photocopies. Plus your passport of course;

5. Spare bulbs and a hi-viz vest are mandatory.

Cheers

Dave

[Guest]

I have read tips for riding in france by normad but its slightly out of date, as now I believe you need to take breathalisers etc

I have so many questions, does anyone know of a website that can give indepth road laws/rules?

I have heard many new laws in france incl high viz, but do you need to adhere to them if you are just visiting the country? Hi-viz and spare bulbs no breathaliser

What are the laws/rules? Basically I have only ever ridden in the UK and dont know much about other countries road laws or even road signs/road markings. I presume they are roughly the same as ours? - STOP at stop signs. Come to a full stop, look, look then go because cars appear out of alleys here there and everywhere

filtering legal? - Do at your own discretion, I did it plenty when I went over in May and people didn't have an issue and the police who did see didn't say anything.

Are roads tolled? All of them? How much? How to pay? - Depends on the road. Can check your route beforehand and get an idea.

speeding tickets - how much? How many can you get before the bike is taken away? If I get ticketed in france, do I get points on my licence or are the DVLA informed? - Not yet but this is soon to change (next year I think)

Just general info, please

[Guest]

Here is the thread I had for when I went feel free to peruse

http://themotorbikeforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=59170&hilit=france" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RantMachine]

Four year old thread, I'm guessing he's been there and back by now

[Guest]

You're assuming this thread is only of interest to the OP.. the fact its had over 4000 views says otherwise. Threads like this should be kept alive as an ongoing resource I think.. they're very useful.

and with its title.. easy to find.

[Stu]

You're assuming this thread is only of interest to the OP.. the fact its had over 4000 views says otherwise. Threads like this should be kept alive as an ongoing resource I think.. they're very useful.

and with its title.. easy to find.

 

And its good to keep threads updated with the relevant information too

[RantMachine]

You're assuming this thread is only of interest to the OP.. the fact its had over 4000 views says otherwise. Threads like this should be kept alive as an ongoing resource I think.. they're very useful.

and with its title.. easy to find.

 

And its good to keep threads updated with the relevant information too

 

I didn't say the thread should be removed, did I? But Kc9400 gave an itemised reply to Alex's original post and as I pointed out, it might be a bit late to try and help him plan his trip

[Stu]

Its not too late as he hasn't been yet

[RantMachine]

I see... well, in that case, give me a few moments to dig up every single thread from the last 4 years wherein someone asked for advice but never got round to acting on it so that I can share my two cents

[Stu]

Stop being pedantic

[RantMachine]

I'm not actually gonna do it, for once I actually have work to do

I was just having a bit of fun messing with Kc until someone tried to "correct" me as per usual

[Hoggs]

I'm not actually gonna do it, for once I actually have work to do

Hmm I don't... *starts trawling*

[Beehill]

Whats the latest on Reflective Helmet stickers. http://www.worldmotorcycletours.co.uk/travel-information/french-advise seem to think they cant be enforced retrospectively but I can see that missing stickers are very obvious - as opposed to glove labels.

Cheers

Andy

[Stu]

Hi and welcome to the forum

I keep getting mixed responses regarding helmet stickers

some say you will get done and others have said they have had no problems!

[thebiglad]

In the last 16 years of living in France I have never been asked to: show my reflective helmet stickers; reflective areas on my jackets; my alcohol test gadget; etc etc. The things the law over here are REALLY bothered about is your safety and nicked bikes.

So you need to show that:

you have dressed sensibly - helmet, jacket, gloves etc;

You can prove who you are (passport original with you);

You have a license to ride/drive (original drivers license, both parts for a UK one)

You are the owner/registered keeper of the bike you are riding (Original of registration document)

If you've got these taken care of, you are good to go in France.

[raesewell]

In the last 16 years of living in France I have never been asked to: show my reflective helmet stickers; reflective areas on my jackets; my alcohol test gadget; etc etc. The things the law over here are REALLY bothered about is your safety and nicked bikes.

So you need to show that:

you have dressed sensibly - helmet, jacket, gloves etc;

You can prove who you are (passport original with you);

You have a license to ride/drive (original drivers license, both parts for a UK one)

You are the owner/registered keeper of the bike you are riding (Original of registration document)

If you've got these taken care of, you are good to go in France.

 

There is no longer two parts to the UK license.