Hi all, does anyone know the upto date requirements for taking a motorbike aboard. Going to Spain via France in may and have been told different storied of what you are legally required to carry, spare bulbs, hi viz jacket,breath test kit etc. Any pointers appreciated going shopping in the morning! Cheers Anthony.
For France high viz and breathalyser test kits have been dropped for bikes, I have been riding in France for 30 years and have never been asked for bulbs etc,only identification and bike papers,if all that's in order then of you go.
Hi all, I've just been checking the legal requirements and apparently the breathalyser and reflective patches on lids is required by law for motorcycles. If anyone knows differently I'd be interested to know. All helmets worn in France must meet the retroflective material requirements of Regulation 22 - a sticker of minimum surface area 18 cm2 must be visible from the front, rear, left and right and within each sticker it must be possible to mark either a circle of 40 mm diameter or, a rectangle at least 12.5 cm2 in surface area and at least 20 mm in width. Breathalysers - It is compulsory for drivers of all motor vehicles including motorcyclists but excluding mopeds, to carry a breathalyser in their vehicle while travelling in France. Full details :- http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/france-monaco.pdf
I don't quite understand this "abroad paranoia". Maybe because I started riding abroad frequently, to be replaced by exclusively, early on in my biking career. I may get flamed for this but my honest view is the following: You probably won't stick religiously to the speed limits. You may do a few filtering things in town that aren't strictly legal (it's illegal to filter in Germany). You may do a few overtakes that aren't strictly legal - like on a dead straight road when you are in a column of crawling traffic and just can't take any more. Whatever. In which case, why would you bother to dot all the i's and cross all the t's on the more ridiculous aspects of French motoring law? I can assure you that the indigenous bikers don't give a toss about it and will out-illegal you in just about every aspect of riding a bike. I'm also prepared to wager that the worst that is ever likely to befall you is that in the unlikely event of being stopped by a gendarme, he won't do more than relieve your feigned ignorance that you needed these stickers, vests and breathalysing equipment. If there is one place that isn't a police state, it's France. So chill out, and just ride as before, but on the other side of the road. Simples.
If you read the link in Matt's post breathalysers aren't required, quote: "indefinite postponement of being fined for not carrying a breathalyser" (2nd para, 3rd page). I've been to France a few times (cars and bikes) and whilst I try to be legal I've never been stopped. Obviously I make sure I have the obvious (e.g. GB sticker/plate, carry documents) and don't drive/ride like too much of an idiot.....and that seems to work for me.
Yeah Chill. The Gendarmes are likely to encourage you to do something slightly illegal if anything. Whilst they cheer you on. Thats my experience of riding in France.
Just home from 2500 miles in France and Spain. No problems with vests, breath test kits or other.... Just the bloody toll roads! Enjoy the roads, weather and wine!
Get yourself an electronic doofer for the toll roads, I've borrowed one off a friend of mine for our trip to Le Mans next week, no queuing, saves loads of time. euro tunnel website is the cheapest place to buy one
