Booze-cruise.net guide to driving in France. Hints and Tips

The booze-cruise.net beginners' guide to searching for cheap beer and cheap wine in Calais, Boulogne, Cherbourg and Dieppe. Driving, money, Customs, insurance.

Compulsory Items | Speed Limits | Fuel | Other Tips

Taking the car is probably the most effective way to stock up, particularly if you are going to Calais.

Most of the outlets we have highlighted can be accessed easily from the Autoroute A16 (motorway) which leads directly from the ferry and hovercraft terminals in Calais. This is a superb road, smooth, fast and rarely busy - much like our researchers! It doesn't take too long to get used to driving on the right, particularly on the Autoroute. Town centre driving takes a little more practice - watch out for those left turns when emerging from a junction!

Traffic lights can be deviously well hidden in the towns. There are no stop lines across the lane as there are in the U.K., so it's very easy to get caught out.

The Autoroutes are very well sign-posted but this information tends to rapidly run out when you exit the A road. You are advised to take a map and a navigator, especially if it's your first visit.

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France has a list of requirements and recommendations for Brits driving on their roads. These are summarised below:

Item	Recommended or Compulsory	Notes
First Aid Kit	R
Fire Extinguisher	R
Warning Triangle	C
Spare Bulbs	R
Headlight Adjustor	C
GB Sticker	C	If you have a new style number plate with the GB symbol, this will avoid the need for a separate sticker.

Speed Limits (The lower limits apply at all times to drivers who have held a licence for less than 2 years)

Motorways: 80mph (130 kph).
On urban stretches 68mph (110kph) and 49mph (80kph) on the Paris ring Road.
Dual carriageways: 68mph (110kph).
Outside built-up areas 55mph (90kph).
Built-up areas 31mph (50kph).

In wet weather (and for inexperienced drivers), lower limits apply -

49mph (80kph) outside built-up areas,
62mph (100kph) on dual carriageways
and 68mph (110kph) on motorways.

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Fuel

Unleaded Petrol is available in two grades:
Essence sans plumb (95 octane) and
Essence super sans plumb (98 octane).

Leaded petrol is sold as Essence super (98 octane).

Diesel is known as Gasoil or Gazole.

Petrol prices are rarely cheaper than those in the UK, but, like the UK, prices on the motorways (autoroutes) are often higher. Aim for the filling stations attached to supermarkets, such as Auchan and Carrefour. Example prices (September 2006) are as follows:

Carrefour fuel prices

Sans Plomb 95 (unleaded) 1 € 319 per litre
Sans Plomb 98 (superunleaded)1 € 269 per litre
Gazole (diesel) 1 € 049 per litre

Prices as at 09/05/2007

Auchan fuel prices

Lead Free 98 1.375€ about 85p per litre
Lead Free 95 1.325€ about 81p per litre
4 Star 1.279 € about 90p per litre
GPL 0.679€ about 45p per litre
Diesel Oil 1.051€ about 70p per litre

Prices as at 24/05/2007

N.B The prices may vary slightly from the prices shown above.
All major credit cards accepted at the Auchan filling station, except American Express and Switch.

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Other advice

Drive on the Right!
Mobile cellular telephones may not be used while driving unless you are using a "handsfree" system.
Avoid the use of speed trap detectors. They are illegal in most European countries.
Right of way: When driving in a city, town or village, the right of way at an intersection is automatically given to the vehicle on the right - la priorité à droite - unless otherwise indicated by stop or yield/give way signs. This applies even in the case of a small side road entering a major main road. The vehicle traveling on the main road must give way to the vehicle entering on the right.
Do not drink and drive. The laws are strict and the penalties severe.
Do wear your seat belts.
Do not overload your car. In Europe, you could face on the spot fines and in the UK, your journey will be halted until you unload the excess weight. The authorities may even insist upon a structural check before the car is released to you. See our weight calculator here.
Spread the weight of your purchases evenly across the axle. Bottles and cans of booze can be heavy. Check your tyre pressure.
Beware of toll roads. All our featured stores can be reached without the need to pay tolls, but a wrong turn or a missed exit, particularly when heading back to the port could lead you onto a toll road.
Investigate taking out temporary European breakdown cover. A breakdown while abroad could be costly. Or, if you travel to Europe often, you may find that you can add European cover to your policy for just a little extra.Take a look at .
You must take your vehicle documentation with you, such as: Driving Licence; Insurance Certificate and Schedule, MOT Certificate (if applicable) and Registration Document.
Check that your motor insurance is sufficient for your needs. Most insurance policies will cover you while in Europe, but only to conform to legal requirements. Most companies do not extend your comprehensive cover while abroad unless you inform them and perhaps pay an additional fee. It is worthwhile phoning your insurance company to check your level of cover.
You may also want to consider travel insurance.
Children under the age of 10 years, must not travel in the front passenger seat.
If you're in a car accident: call the police on 17 who will call an ambulance if you say one is needed. All those involved must fill in an accident report form (constat à l'amiable) and swap insurance details.
Take a look at our Emergency Details form. It could help you if you have an accident or you lose yor documents while you are abroad.
You must be 18 years or older to legally drive in France.

For further information, contact your breakdown insurance company. The AA has some good tips on their website.

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Important Notice.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information offered on this website. However, we do not accept liability for errors or omissions. All travellers are advised to check details for themselves before travelling.

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