Can you provide guidelines for travelling to France and Belgium by car?
Answers:
Firstly, get a green card from your insurance company,it gives you insurance for about 90 days in europe max (some companies may charge for this but not many nowadays)
As said get your light beams sorted, in the UK our lights are off set to the left as not to dazzle oncoming traffic, a piece of tape can do this or buy a kit in a car shop, it'll have the instuctions with it and cost about £7.
When you get off the ferry you can't go wrong, for the first 2 miles you gotta drive on the right anyway (in Calais) Just stay on that road and you'll see signs for the E19 that'll take you to Brussels(motorway all the way,takes about 2 1/2 hrs)
Other than that just do everything like you do here in the UK but on the other side of the road, ie give way to the left not the right.
Doesn't really matter where you fill up with petrol as the prices are about the same, and sure if you need petrol just buy it! it's a necessity! Although I always carry a bottle of water some engine oil, windsceen wash and a can of petrol anyway even in the UK. Carrying a reflective Triangle spare light bulbs and first aid kit are law.
All the main roads are well signposted usually but some signs may be right on the junction. And mostly all the roads have lighting, even the motorways unlike the UK.
Don't have a Radar detector on show in France, they're illegal and they'll fine you on the spot then make you drive over the expensive bit of kit you just paid for in the UK!! Frog eating fwits!
I'm not bitter,I was breaking the law, and don't remind them it was your Grandad that lost his life saving them from Nazi rule, passing them a can of deodarant doesn't help either (soap dodging horse eaters)
Oh and if you haven't been to France before they like you to try and use their language otherwise they don't speak English! although we all know they have better English language skills than a lot of wot we duz! ( I speak Dutch Finnish and Turkish! and i'm Scottish, so no "well go out and learn a second language qwuips please") I know enough to get by or at least get a crossiant!
In Belgium depending where you go they speak French and very proud of it or Flemish (like Dutch) and they are even more proud but they are generally nicer people and will speak English for you if they can! Don't believe anybody(well most) under about 35yrs old if they say they don't. They're avin' a laff at you!
Enjoy your trip, try the Eurotunnel sometime it only takes 1/2hr and is right next to the Euromarket in Calais,you also pass all the wine wholesalers to get to it. If you get a night train (off peak 0100 - 0600) you'll pay a lot less than the ferry. I paid £39 e/w as
opposed to £65.
Bon Voyage
Ps When I came back from Brussels I was stopped 3 times on 1 motorway by Customs doing drugs spotchecks (In France) That's 3 times on one journey over about 15 miles. I kept my hotel receipt handy,showing I hadn't come from Amsterdam but Brussels. I'd smoked all my weed by that time.hehe
drive carefully
Parlez francais and bringay lots o monay = cash.
Make sure you get on a ferry,if you drive into the sea your car will sink and your engine will get flooded
Keep to the left until you don't have to!!
one thing ou gotta do which a lot of people forget is have your headlights sorted out, ie aligned for driving on the right hand side of the road, if you dont youll get a lot of angry french motorists tooting their little renault horns at you, its also a legal requirement, any garage can sort it quite easily. obviously when you get there drive on the right, take extra care at junctions and obey the road signs, other than that, bon chance mes ami
I can...
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Buy a map and
put plenty of
fuel into your
car.
The highways in Europe are well marked and are great. Get used to really moving out. However, when you go to large cities like Paris. I suggest you get a map of the underground and find a station on the outskirts. Take the underground close to where you want to go. Traffic is horrible in Paris and other large cities. Belgium is much better. I have taken many car trips around Europe. Enjoyed every one of them . Have a good navigator with you, unless yuo can remember maps in your head. My ex wife couldn't help me much and that was hard. My new wife is much better.
Allow plenty of time!
Get your car checked: tyre pressure (incl. spare tyre), brakes, oil, water. Just before you board the ferry, fill up with petrol.
Get the RAC route planner website to help you across Europe.
Take your mobile. Have a spare set of keys, also a photocopy of all your documents, list of phone numbers, etc.
Keep a reserve of Euros in a safe place in the car for emergencies.
Tell friends and relatives about your route / hotels, etc. and advise them of changes.
Don't take any risks!
Got good maps? Use MAIN ROADS. Don't be too adventurous this first time!
Have a torch and a blanket in the car.
Do not give lifts to ANYBODY!!
Ensure you're fully covered by your insurance and breakdown service.
Take a warning triangle. Get some masking tape (black insulating tape will do) and realign your lights for driving on the right. (The AA site gives you tips on how to do this).
Adjust your mirrors when you disembark in France. Give yourself a few minutes to think about driving on the RIGHT. Remember, at roundabouts you should wait for traffic from the LEFT, but you drive round to the RIGHT!!
Drive slowly until you gain confidence. Follow local cars for a few kilometres to get used to driving on the right.
Many shops are closed in Fr & B on Sundays.
It's easy. The European road are far better than roads in the UK. There is nothing to worry about. Look left at roundabouts, stop at red lights, proceed with caution at amber lights and go at green lights. The motorways are excellent. Enjoy!!
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