Club Arnage

I know this type of thread runs every year at this time, but I can't find last years so I'll start a new one.


Essential things that could be overlooked.


Take spare car keys and swap with a friend in case of loss.

Make a note of credit card cancelation numbers.

Check pressure of spare tyre,(the only time I ever check).

Take copies of driving licence, insurance etc.

Bottle opener ;D

I'm sure there are more

do you need your cars V5 Document when you travel overseas?

I presume you mean for the car you are travelling in, well I've never needed it yet.

yes *amended my post* just wondered if i need to bring it with me

Don't forget the mantra..."Carrefour will provide", you can buy most things that you might need in Carrefour and any camping gear you've forgotten in Decathlon.

The important ones are...

Passport (& copy)
V5, Driving licence (& copies)
Tickets (for travel/Campsite etc.)
Breakdown insurance, extended for France, check the terms of the cover IIRC most policies require you to have taken BOTH sets of keys with you before they will stump up for lost keys
Car insurance, extended for France ("Green Card" cover), also consider adding a driver so that each car in your group has a second driver in case of illness, tiredness on the way back etc.
Travel insurance and EIHC (these two are not the same thing!)

Plus....your brain with regard to keeping the things above safe! Don't leave your car keys on a table on a campsite and be surprised that your car has gone!!

Yep, according to the AA you do need the original, same is true of your drivers licence with you when you travel.

Never took mine and don't know anyone that ever has, but we have never had a incident that would need you to produce, touch wood.

For those still with a E111 - warning - they have expired and been replaced with a new EHIC plastic card.

http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/advice/ehic.htm (http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/advice/ehic.htm)

"From 2006, the old paper E111 is no longer valid. If you are travelling to continental Europe, you will now be required to be in possession of an EHIC Card - European Health Insurance Card".

im going to get all my food etc once im there! Only issue i have is that the pillock i bought the car off never sent the car V5 document off - ive applied for a new one but they quoted 4-6 weeks that was 4 weeks ago :( think i wont have it in time!

Kev -I would not worry to much, take copy of your insurance, with the Reg No. on it. Have you got a letter/email fro DVLA or bill of sale from the guy you brought it from.

Can't confirm it will sort it all, but will help. Couple of years took the PT cruiser, got stoped at English customs as I left Portsmouth ferry port. The guy asked me if this was my car, I said happly "No", it's the other half's, showed him the insurance, he took one look at the crap in the back and told me to carry on. Honest ignorance helps  ;D

Come to think about - better check who the Ovlov is reg to?

As ive had it done to me before I photocopied the V5 at the blokes house the day I bought it & I have copied the documents I sent to the DVLA so ill take them with me :) ive a mountain of paperwork to take with me as ive added my mate to my insurance for the trip aswell
 ::)

I wouldn't worry the worst thing they can do is impound it!

In which case if it's insured report it nicked!!!!

 ;D ;D ;D

Ahh yes, good correction, I'll amend my post - I did of course mean the funny little card but couldn't remember what it was called!  ;D

Well as far the documents etc are concerned you don't need any of them until you have an accident or get stopped.

I don't know what the penalties are if your asked to produce and you don't .   

Every time I've been stopped in France I was driving a rented car,  I been stopped  twice for a Breath test.  Once in Le Mans and once in Nice.  Neither time did they ask for papers.
I did get stopped in Nice and asked for papers I showed him the Rental Documents but no Drivers Licence or Passport.

One year the Leasing company/Dealer delivered the Car with the wrong plates.   So I'm not sure if that also ment the Documents were illegal too. 
The Reg on the Documents matched the Plates.  Though the Tax disc had the Correct Reg and so didn't match the Plates or the rest of the documentation.

Apparently my Boss was getting very anxious about it since he had no way to contact me and let me know every time I drove the car on the road I was breaking the law.

t.

You can manage without an EHIC, but you'll have to pay up and claim it back.  Also, don't forget that health cover is only 70% of the cost here, so travel insurance ain't a bad idea too.

Leave the radar/laser detector at home. The French police don't take too kindly to finding them in your possession. Just take heed of anyone in the opposing traffic that flashes their headlights -they're usually only doing it for your benefit.