Legal Requirements by Country

[WildBill2566]

FRANCE

I think I have this right but please correct me if not and I'll edit this.

If anyone knows of the legal requirements for other couintries perhaps you could add a thread.

I have no idea if all of this stuff must be carried all the time, I really cant see the locals having all this stuff on them every time they go out. The last time I rode in France was 25 years ago and apart from insurance(was green card then I think), passport, and a driving licence I didnt have any of the other stuff.

To tour France...............

Driving Licence (must be a full licence)
V5C registration document (must be original and not a copy)
Insurance certificate.
Accident document (to be completed in the event of an accident)
GB sticker (there is a legal size but dont know if it is the same for a bike)

[BaZa ®]

THIS should answer any questions.


..............and don't forget to get realign your headlight to stop blinding on coming traffic.

Black Masking Tape

Advances in headlamp technology over the past few years, and the advent of Projector, Ellipsoidal and Clear Lens headlamps, has resulted in making the adaption of headlamps to eliminate dazzle a complex matter.

The use therefore of Black Masking Tape is a dangerous 'hit and miss' affair, and in any event it is unlikely that the vehicle would be deemed to be road worthy.

Black masking tape absorbs some of the headlamp light beam, and converts it into heat energy, which will not only cause a dangerous reduction in night vision but also generate a 'hot spot' on the lens. This in turn can cause cracking in glass lenses or a browning burnt effect on a plastic lens.

[BaZa ®]

Safe & Legal

When travelling on the continent ensure you comply with European motoring requirements by carrying the following essential items of accident, emergency and breakdown equipment. For further information please visit the Reference section.

Headlamp Beam Adaptors

Failure to adapt your headlamps at any time, day or night, will render your vehicle unfit for use on the road and could invalidate your motor insurance.

GB Plate

A GB plate must be displayed on the rear of your vehicle, caravan or trailer.

Warning Triangles

Drivers must be able to give prior warning of a hazard on the road. Hazard Warning Lights alone are NOT sufficient. Two Triangles are required for Spain.

Spare Bulb Kits

Drivers must be in a position to replace any blown exterior light.

Fire Extinguisher and First Aid Kit

The European Good Samaritan Law requires every driver to stop and provide assistance in the event of an accident.

Reflective Vest

Motoring law in an increasing number of European Countries now requires all vehicles to carry reflective vests, for drivers AND passengers, for use in the event of breakdowns or emergencies. Click here for further information.

[SJC69]

Originally Posted by BaZa ®

Advances in headlamp technology over the past few years, and the advent of Projector, Ellipsoidal and Clear Lens headlamps, has resulted in making the adaption of headlamps to eliminate dazzle a complex matter.

The more inventive vehicle manufactures {perhaps that should read German see below!} that use the above type of headlamps often have the facility to flatten the beam for use when driving on the opposite side of the road they are marketed for.

I.E. Our Volkswagens had a lever in the headlamp that you could throw and reverse dip the headlamp and on my last BMW bike you just rotated the low beam headlamp to achieve the same, all in the hand books!

RE: As to what you must carry is often misrepresented in the general advice lists and not motorcycle specific, your duty as a tourist as to what you MUST carry is often much lower than the locals and different for car & motorcycles i.e. Warning triangles, first aid kits and spare bulbs are not always legally required for tourists on M/Cs.

The RAC advice is often less general and more country specific than the AA, but still not M/C specific, quite where you would find the definitive list I don’t know.

http://www.rac.co.uk/web/knowhow/goi...isor/checklist

[SJC69]

Originally Posted by WildBill2566

FRANCE

I think I have this right but please correct me if not and I'll edit this.

To tour France...............

Driving Licence (must be a full licence)
V5C registration document (must be original and not a copy)
Insurance certificate.

Accident document (to be completed in the event of an accident)- Not compulsory

E111- Not compulsory, but out of date anyway, you want the new Eurpoean Health card.

GB sticker (there is a legal size but dont know if it is the same for a bike)- Not if you have the EU GB symbol on your plate.

Medical Kit - Not compulsory

Hi-Viz vest - Not compulsory

Spare bulbs - Not compulsory

[WildBill2566]

Originally Posted by SJC69

To tour France...............

Driving Licence (must be a full licence)
V5C registration document (must be original and not a copy)
Insurance certificate.

Accident document (to be completed in the event of an accident)- Not compulsory

E111- Not compulsory, but out of date anyway, you want the new Eurpoean Health card.

GB sticker (there is a legal size but dont know if it is the same for a bike)- Not if you have the EU GB symbol on your plate.

Medical Kit - Not compulsory

Hi-Viz vest - Not compulsory

Spare bulbs - Not compulsory

Thanks, searched the web came up with what appeared to be right.Good stuff Baza

[Leadbelly]

Things have certainly changed since I last rode in France.

I think I took my driving licence and insurance.

Leadbelly

[firkin]

the only thing i take is valid insurence,sat nav and a pair of clean underpants.no gb sticker and never even thourght about adjusting healight as from what i can tell on round lenses the aim is straight unlike cars.
firkin

[SJC69]

Originally Posted by firkin

.....never even thourght about adjusting healight as from what i can tell on round lenses the aim is straight unlike cars.
firkin

Afraid not unless your headlight is not adjusted properly, we are talking about the dipped beam not full beam which should be a straight broad beam with equal taper to the right and left.
Dipped beam should for UK use not shine to the right, so as to dazzle oncoming vehicles, thus when driving on the right, abroad the left part of the beam that would normally light up the left hand side should be blocked or adjusted so as not to dazzle our foreign friends.



An incorrectly adjusted head lamp beam on either high or dipped can make a hell of a lot of difference as to how far you can see on an unlit road, well worth taking some time setting them up if you ride unlit roads at night!

PS Some cars still do have round headlights as did most before shaped lenses became the vogue and they are adjusted on dipped as above.


More detail in the link below....
http://www.ukmot.com/bike/1-6.asp

[weedavie_j]

Originally Posted by SJC69

To tour France...............

Driving Licence (must be a full licence)
V5C registration document (must be original and not a copy)
Insurance certificate.

Accident document (to be completed in the event of an accident)- Not compulsory

E111- Not compulsory, but out of date anyway, you want the new Eurpoean Health card.

GB sticker (there is a legal size but dont know if it is the same for a bike)- Not if you have the EU GB symbol on your plate.

Medical Kit - Not compulsory

Hi-Viz vest - Not compulsory

Spare bulbs - Not compulsory

Speakin from experience

Having been in France this year AND 'pulled by the polis' it was comforting to know that I had ALL the documentation they asked for.;)

Before going I asked all the same questions that are being asked for on this thread and turned my nose up at some of them but it proved to be be that you should take all items as listed above PLUS any others that may be mentioned.
The theory being not to upset the local plod if at all possible, coz if you do then they dig deeper and eventually catch ya for somethin'