Jonnys3

My father is going to the Monaco Grand Prix next year for his birthday. This has taken a lot of saving and planning and it will also be the first time he has taken the car abroad. Can anyone tell me what's legally required in the car when travelling in Europe as I am thinking of getting him a European Car Travel Kit for xmas. What would be even more helpful is if anyone could recommend a specific European Car Travel Kit.

Thanks in advance scoobynetters.

Floodboy

have a look at this

10 things you must know, before driving your car in France.

Tenby

iTrader: (1)

Halfords sell them

PMD

I recently went to Germany through France, Belg. & Netherlands and the AA one did the job (although it only comes with one high-vis). Also has a useful book of driving info for all European countries...

106_enduro

Don't bother with those car kits (i;ve always found them a con but thats just my opinion), might as well get your own kit piece by piece.

things that are really important are (from memory)

Spare bulb set and fuses
high vis jacket
warning triangle
first aid kit
fire extinguisher
beam reflectors
Vehicle documents and license]
and if needs be a GB sticker.

olliecampbell

iTrader: (3)

Hmm all seems a bit of a farce, but I'm sure it's there for safety.

Francis K

Just come back from a day trip to France and the P&O guy at Dover told us that the Hi Vis jacket should be in the car NOT in the boot. He reckoned that an awkward gendarme could fine you as you wouldn't be wearing as you got out of the car to go to the boot. A sort of gallic logic I suppose.

C'est la vie - Be warned!!!

GC8

Spare bulb set.
Fire extinguisher.
High visibility jacket; one for every person in the vehicle, stowed in the cabin.
First aid kit.
Warning triangle.

(beam adjusters, driving licence, all vehicle documents and GB markings, of course)

tanyatriangles

iTrader: (2)

Further to this, in the event of an emergency etc, the driver can be fined for emerging from his vehicle without wearing the high-vis, ie: if he gets out and puts it on on the side of the road.

You'll now see lots of French cars with the driver's high-vis vest hanging over his seat back.

GC8

You need a high visibility tabard (or better) for every person in the vehicle, I believe.

ChrisB

Witness all the market stalls in France last summer selling hi-vis vets, even in the smallest of villages.

hodgy0_2

it bit **** i know but I would also do a dummy wheel/tyre change before you go

this ensures you have the correct kit etc i.e.

1. You know where everything is (Spare\tools\jack\jacking points\handbook)
2. Locking Wheel Nut if needed
3. Correct tyre (inflated and tread wise)
4. Tools can do the job (I had to change the wheel on my landcruiser the other day -- everything was there but I needed an extension to get the nuts off - which i didnt have)

unless offcourse you want to throw yourself at the mercy of the French on a cold dark wet evening

OllyK

Can of tyre weld, check!

hodgy0_2

ooh nice one -- that reminds me a torch (i had to get the missus to buy one)

and if you are really cool a plastic backed travel rug -- so you dont get your trousers dirty

Jonnys3

Thanks people, there seems to bit a bit more than required than you'd find in a budget euro travel kit. Much appreciated folks!

scoobyster

I got my high vis jackets from Ikea strangely enough and they were very cheap. Do the beam deflectors do their job well? I've only ever used a bit of insulation tape to block off the high side of dipped beam - it's obvious where to do it on most old style lenses, but it would be much better to end up with lights that dip the other way.