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Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 11:54 am
by Jody
I got pulled over in Biarritz last summer, they were pulling every two wheeled vehicle at that junction! (UK reg bike)
"where's your insurance" showed him the document on my phone
"Where's your driving license" showed him a picture on my phone
"How long have you been here" A month I lied
"How long are you staying" All summer
"you should get a French driving licence" Unfortunately you can't apply for a French driving license if there's more than 6 months left on your UK one. I replied
"off you go, have a nice day"
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 12:33 pm
by The Spin Doctor
KungFooBob wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 9:28 pm
Even the French don't fit them.
I expect that the PoPo wouldn't pull you just for not having stickers, but if they pulled you for something else and they were in the mood they would do you for the stickers too.
Also, don't forget to turn the speed camera warnings off on your satnag.
There was a report a couple of years back that les Flicks were sat outside Caen harbour stopping all the British riders as they came off the ferry.
You used to be able to get a chequered reflective neoprene band that could be stretched around the helmet - called a Helmet Halo. I did a search but Oxford have pinched now the name for a rest on which to service your helmet (fnarr fnarr)
Don't forget you also need CE-approved gloves in France.
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 1:04 pm
by Count Steer
The Spin Doctor wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 12:33 pm
KungFooBob wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 9:28 pm
Even the French don't fit them.
I expect that the PoPo wouldn't pull you just for not having stickers, but if they pulled you for something else and they were in the mood they would do you for the stickers too.
Also, don't forget to turn the speed camera warnings off on your satnag.
There was a report a couple of years back that les Flicks were sat outside Caen harbour stopping all the British riders as they came off the ferry.
You used to be able to get a chequered reflective neoprene band that could be stretched around the helmet - called a Helmet Halo. I did a search but Oxford have pinched now the name for a rest on which to service your helmet (fnarr fnarr)
Don't forget you also need CE-approved gloves in France.
I assume the CE gloves requirement (and helmet reflectors) also includes the pillion?
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 2:02 pm
by dern
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 3:02 pm
by The Spin Doctor
Hi-vis vest... I'd forgotten that... one for the rider, one for the passenger. They don't have to be worn but must be donned if you come to an unplanned halt somewhere.
Along with the first aid kit (required in some countries) I've a v lightweight and v small (no way it does up round the middle
) mesh vest under the seat. Should get another in case I have a passenger.
I was asked to write an article for the Riders Digest on legal requirements for bike travel in Europe some years ago. Finding what's needed - and there's no agreement on what's required - was NOT an easy job. Even requests to tourist offices went unanswered and the AA / RAC were virtually no help at all.
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 3:30 pm
by Mr Moofo
Excellent - I will follow that
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 3:31 pm
by Mr Moofo
Erm - what are Le Flic like about dark visors? It's never bothered me before ...
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 3:35 pm
by dern
The Spin Doctor wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 3:02 pm
Hi-vis vest... I'd forgotten that... one for the rider, one for the passenger. They don't have to be worn but must be donned if you come to an unplanned halt somewhere.
Along with the first aid kit (required in some countries) I've a v lightweight and v small (no way it does up round the middle
) mesh vest under the seat. Should get another in case I have a passenger.
I was asked to write an article for the Riders Digest on legal requirements for bike travel in Europe some years ago. Finding what's needed - and there's no agreement on what's required - was NOT an easy job. Even requests to tourist offices went unanswered and the AA / RAC were virtually no help at all.
My understanding was that it was not required as a separate item if your jacket already had sufficient hi viz components to it. This is mine...
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 3:42 pm
by Noggin
Demannu wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 9:55 am
Oh, last bit of advice.
Find out what the NSL is in the area you're visiting, as with the usual French organisation it's now up to the local dept if its 80 or 90kmh, and can often change on the same bit of road. Handy when you're pootling, nothing more embarrassing getting nicked when you're behaving.
Also, if you do use a satnav, not all of them know if it's 80 or 90kph
Mr Moofo wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 3:31 pm
Erm - what are Le Flic like about dark visors? It's never bothered me before ...
I don't know for sure, but the ones I've seen haven't stopped me! But then I was riding within limits on a uk bike, so maybe they couldn't be arsed!!
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 3:49 pm
by The Spin Doctor
dern wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 3:35 pm
My understanding was that it was not required as a separate item if your jacket already had sufficient hi viz components to it. This is mine...
That's exactly what I mean about getting to the bottom of what the rules actually are. Here's an article from 2016 when the new law came in:
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/high ... 95662.html
"As of the first of January, 2016, motorcycle and scooter riders will be required to have a high-visibility vest stored on the motorcycle and wear it when working on the bike at the side of the road, or when stopped due to an emergency situation."
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 4:21 pm
by dern
Hmm, I'll just stuff one in the tank bag, we have them for walking the dogs.
I don't know where I could get reflective stickers from given I'm going tomorrow but I'm not so worried about that.
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 4:27 pm
by Horse
dern wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 4:21 pm
Hmm, I'll just stuff one in the tank bag, we have them for walking the dogs.
I don't know where I could get reflective stickers from given I'm going tomorrow but I'm not so worried about that.
Halfords sell that sort of stuff
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 5:13 pm
by Demannu
GB sticker!!!!!
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 5:14 pm
by ChrisW
Demannu wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 5:13 pm
GB sticker!!!!!
Paper licence counterpart...!
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 5:18 pm
by Demannu
Mr Moofo wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 3:31 pm
Erm - what are Le Flic like about dark visors? It's never bothered me before ...
The answer is .........it all depends
If it is 10pm, pissing down with rain, then expect to get reamed
2pm, sunny day, won't get a second look.
However, as I'm officially a grown up nowadays, a drop down visor is the solution.
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 5:29 pm
by Demannu
ChrisW wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 5:14 pm
Demannu wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 5:13 pm
GB sticker!!!!!
Paper licence counterpart...!
There are people out there who havent moved or been done for a traffic offence since the 90s, hence a paper license.
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 5:36 pm
by ChrisW
Demannu wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 5:29 pm
ChrisW wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 5:14 pm
Demannu wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 5:13 pm
GB sticker!!!!!
Paper licence counterpart...!
There are people out there who havent moved or been done for a traffic offence since the 90s, hence a paper license.
Very true but I doubt it's a legal requirement to carry one, the article might be a little old.
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 6:36 pm
by The Spin Doctor
ChrisW wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 5:36 pm
Demannu wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 5:29 pm
ChrisW wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 5:14 pm
Paper licence counterpart...!
There are people out there who havent moved or been done for a traffic offence since the 90s, hence a paper license.
Very true but I doubt it's a legal requirement to carry one, the article might be a little old.
I think it's because the UK groups didn't align with the EU groups. For example, moped entitlement used to be P on a UK licence, but for the Euro licence it's AM. The counterpart had more detail than the photocard.
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 8:54 pm
by Whysub
I know that in Spain you must be able to access your hi-viz from where you are sat. So no good if it's in your top box or boot of your car.
Few weeks ago I received a €147 fine through the post for speeding past a speed camera in Italy last June. My mate, who was riding alongside me at the time, never got one. Guess which one of us was riding a UK registered bike?
Re: France and helmet reflective stickers
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 9:36 pm
by Alan PBTD
Jumping on this thread - but it is about France - anyone shed any light on the ''pollution sticker'' situation - think it's called ''Crit Air''
Not going anywhere near Paris but by September we could be hitting it in some towns / cities
Cheers