How to prepare for driving in France on your summer holiday

road traffic accident abroad
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The summer holiday season is again approaching, and many will be considering a trip to the continent.

Even if you are a frequent visitor to the continent, it is always worth checking driving requirements in any country you will be driving in as requirements can change year on year. Below are some top tips to consider if you are driving to France bearing in mind that this is not a comprehensive list.

What you need to prepare for driving in France

If you are driving your own vehicle to France, you need to bring your driving licence together with your V5C Logbook and your insurance certificate. There is no longer a requirement to carry a Green Card when travelling in the EU, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia, and Switzerland.

In France you are also required to have a reflective jacket for each occupant of the vehicle and a warning triangle. If an accident happens or your car breaks down on the road you need to have the jacket on as soon as you step out it so it may be an idea to store the jackets in the car, rather than in the boot!

In previous years it was also a requirement to have a number of breathalyser tests with you. This requirement has now been removed. It is worth a reminder though that the drink drive limit in France is lower than that in the UK so it may be worth having those tests just in case. Police in France take drink driving very seriously and often stop cars to perform an alcohol test even in remote areas so don’t take unnecessary risks.

Post Brexit there has been a change to the identifying marker on your car. As of 28 September 2021 the letters GB are no longer valid and you must display the letters UK. This can be incorporated into the number plate or by means of a separate sticker.

It is also worth noting new rules relating to emissions stickers which must be displayed when driving through restricted zones. These are called Crit’Air vignettes. Failure to display a sticker can result in a fine so it’s worth looking into this before you travel. The RAC has a helpful web page with all the information you require.

Another thing you need to consider doing is installing  headlamp beam converters so as to avoid dazzling others. This is because cars driven in the UK have their headlights adjusted to point to the nearside of the vehicle. When you are driving on the other side of the road this can be blinding to oncoming traffic.

If you want more information on things you should consider before setting off on your trip the RAC and AA both provide comprehensive information when driving abroad.

What to do if you have road traffic accident in France

While specific traffic laws, road infrastructure, and driving behaviours may differ between the UK and other countries, the fundamental human and environmental factors contributing to road traffic accidents exhibit striking similarities worldwide. Universal causes include driver error, such as distracted driving (e.g., mobile phone use), speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and fatigue. Similarly, poor judgment, aggressive driving, or a failure to anticipate hazards remain consistent threats regardless of location. Environmental factors like adverse weather conditions, poor road surfaces, or inadequate lighting also universally increase accident risks.

That aside there are things you need to bear in mind if you find yourself in the unlucky situation of being involved in an accident when abroad.

After Brexit, navigating a road traffic accident abroad, especially involving an uninsured or untraced driver, has become more complicated for UK residents. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) can no longer handle these claims directly. Instead, they can only provide you with contact details for the equivalent body in the country where the accident occurred. This presents an added layer of complexity because some Guarantee Funds, like the one in France, only compensate residents or nationals of other EEA (European Economic Area) countries. This means that as a UK resident, you might not be eligible for compensation from their fund, leaving you in a more challenging position.

If you are involved in an road traffic accident in France there are several steps it is important to take if at all possible.

First of all you need to exchange details with the other party/parties involved including their vehicle registration number and obtain their insurance details to include policy reference. If the incident involves bikes, other types of vehicles like e-scooters or pedestrians you need to take their names and contact details. As a next step you need to document what happened as much as you can by taking photos or videos of the accident location and position of vehicles. It is also useful to take a voice note or write down anything you remember about how the accident happened as there is a chance you will forget important information when times passes.

Same as with any other road traffic accident scenario it is very important to call emergency services as needed and report the accident to the police.  If you are not provided with an accident report at the scene, make sure to get the reference number and contact details for the police so the report can be requested at a later date. If there are any witnesses to the accident do your best to get their names and contact details as their testimony may prove to be very important.

If you are taken to hospital, record the name of the facility and keep any documents you are provided with upon discharge. Similarly, keep all receipts for any expenses incurred as a direct result of the accident. Finally, contact your motor and/or travel insurer as soon as possible regarding your accident; they may have specific requirements or timelines in order to lodge a claim with them, and prompt notification can prevent complications later on.

How we can help

At Enable Law we have a dedicated international personal injury team led by Eleanor Armstrong that specialise in representing individuals who have suffered serious injuries in accidents abroad. If you find yourself in such a situation having someone in your corner that understands both the laws of the country your accident took place in and your rights as a British resident can make all the difference. Our team is fluent in multiple languages including French and can help you liaise with the local police and other authorities to achieve the best possible results for you to be compensated and where needed repatriated and given the medical treatment and rehabilitation you need to get back on your feet after your injuries.

To have a free, confidential discussion with a member of our team call us today on 0800 044 8488 or fill in our contact form to have a free, confidential discussion about the ways we can help you. You can call us whilst you are still on holiday or upon your return home. It is important to remember that different countries have different rules and time limits for making a claim so where possible it is better to reach out to us sooner rather than later and whilst all options are still open to you.

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