It's that time of year when the French police start rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of nicking foreign motorcyclists who fall outside their law. So let's be clear what the requirements are. Since January you need reflective stickers on your helmet, failure to comply 135 euros please. Wear a high viz Euro GB sticker Set of light bulbs Original documents for everything Spare glasses if you wear them Any more ???? I think I read that you don't need to mask out the headlights on the dvt, is this correct ?
@Bob T is probably best placed to offer advice. I do not believe the requirement for reflective dots is enforceable for non French residents and good luck with explaining LEDs. Only MUST I remember is carrying your driving licence. Andy
You don't have to wear a Hi Viz but you do have to have one with you and MUST wear it in the event of an incident or a breakdown. Helmet stickers are "a legal requirement" I carry some but don't have them on my helmet. My understanding is that this law is predominantly enforced (generates revenue) in the Paris area. French Advice - Motorcycle Touring Holidays This link may be useful
Just got back (Sunday night) from a 4 day trip to Epinal, Alsace. By law must have a hi-viz to wear in case of breakdown / accident ( as Veetwin said). Have spare bulbs ( I dont think the ones I carried fitted the Multi - was my Triumph kit - but I had them). GB sticker must be fitted. Spare glasses is a Spain requirement V5 and insurance documents should have in any country you go whether is a legal requirement or not. Helmet reflective stickers - none of us had any and have not been stopped. Obey speed limits through villages / towns but there so many beautiful country roads with very little traffic that fast rides can be really enjoyed. Fantastic rides around the mountains - stretched my riding skills to the limits especially when a couple of the group are extremely fast on those 180 degrees bends.
Those caught with earphones in their ears risk fines of €135 and losing three license points. This is the same fine for those caught operating a telephone or not wearing their seat belt. Baffling French road signs: Take the test - The Local
The law says helmet stickers but I don't believe it can be enforced for non French registered bikes as they are legal (without stickers) in their own country so are legal anywhere in the EU. There is no requirement to carry spare bulb kits, the law is the same as in any other country - any light fitted must be working. Legally you should have a GB sticker if you don't have the European blue bit on your number plate. I see very few UK bikes with GB stickers and have never heard of anyone being stopped for not having one. Hi vis must be carried, but not a single rider that I know here has one! Please show me where I could put it on my 848. You should carry all your documents, but would probably not be asked for them when the see your UK plate. Bikes over 125 must ride with lights on. You do not need an insurance green card for the EU, but you must inform your insurer that you are going out of the country and then they will insist that you give them some money for one. Be nice to the Gendarmes as they are military people here, and they are nice to anyone who is nice to them. The spare bulb kit has been a rumour that was put out by the ferry companies (who used to sell them!) but was never a legal requirement. Just about every French car driver started off on a moped or small bike and nearly all of them are very bike aware. They will pull over to the right as soon as they see a bike in the mirrors to let it pass, give them a wave of the right foot as you pass and the will be chuffed at having helped a bike pass. All of this could change if the UK leaves the EU though!
@Bob T Absolutely correct Bob-T but especially in being polite - it was a pleasure riding in France. Drivers will give way to the bikers and the right and decent thing to do is to acknowledge it with a hand wave, head nod or foot wave ( I love the foot wave - is a thank you and a leg stretch ).
Our visiting bikers (BMW 1200GS) are leaving in the morning but have been here for 7 weeks! They love the way bikes are treated here, it was their third visit! Along with the Irish K100 guys and the Swiss and Aussie guys they will all be back again. As I have said before, anyone who wants to come down this way and camp/hotel/gite/etc will be offered all the help and assistance that the wife and I can offer, and we don't run a business, so there are no hidden agendas. Have a look at www.facebook.com/dordognebikers/ to see what we have been up to and if you fancy any of the rides then let us know and we will oblige. If your wives/girlfriends don't want the pillion ride down here then put them on Ryanair to Bergerac, while you ride down, and we'll collect them so that you can spend your time riding around locally.
I like the nonchalant super cool hand off the bar finger pointing downwards hello fellow motorcycle wave
You can wave your left had if you want, no one will see you because you still drive on the wrong side of the road!
I've only ever been pulled over once for a routine check. All the french bikers had to produce documents, as soon as they saw my numberplate they just waved me on. The french are very good for bikers and do really appreciate being appreciated. I normally carry: High Viz jacket Bulb kit (just because I don't want to go shopping should one fail) Registration and Insurance docs. Photo copies of document including passport Breakdown cover details EU medical card as it saves you the excess if you do end up in hospital (I have tested this in Sweden) Tools, cable ties, gaffer tape First aid kit (usually needed if I go near the tools) Wife (these are optional but good for running into hotels to check for vacancies)
Love riding in France. Only time I've been stopped by the police in 5 tours we were treated with respect and given a breathalyser test. By that I mean they gave us each a testing kit, we tried these out in the camp site that evening after a few beers My mate on his 996 with independent headlight switch has been gesticulated too/shouted at by passing coppers and members of the public to turn it on a few times when he's forgotten. The general motoring public's attitude to bikes is a refreshing change as well. In Latvia I got stopped 5 times in one day riding a 600 Monster, this was back in '96 and it was regarded as an alien space ship by anybody that saw it. Most exotic local bike I saw was a ratty GSX250. 4 out of the 5 stops were just to have a look at the bike, the final one was for excessive speed which resulted in a cash 'fine' of a few Lats that was probably spent in a bar that evening...
I've lost count the amount of trips we've done and without doubt they are enforcing the speeding more now. As said if you're playing in the mountains or out in the sticks you probably won't even see a copper but main roads and motorways be sensible, and we never speed within the Pas de Calais, within 40k's of the terminal they are pretty hot, easy pickings I guess.
In my experience France is better the further away from Calais you are. Just carry your docs and you cant go far wrong, but bring summer gloves and jacket as it can get hot. I also don't bother with breakdown as its normally cheaper to just one way hire a van if you get a problem.
Overheating can be a problem a bit further south. You can spot the UK visiting bikes sometimes by the riders all clad in black leather. There is probably more danger from dehydration than not wearing the leathers. If people manage to ride around the UK without breaking down then why does their bike become more unreliable in Europe? Perhaps in the 1960s, but these days there are bike dealers all over the world, so is breakdown insurance really needed?
