5 day European breakdown cover and things I need

[Capra]

Does anyone use temporary cover when driving in the EU? If so, any recommendations please?
Travelling to Belgium at the end of August.

I know I need a warning triangle (in the boot) a GB badge, and cannot use a GPS system that includes speed cameras.

But, I'm not sure about the headlamp conversion sticker, is this still a requirement for travel into the EU. I know a friend that drives into the south of France, that never uses these. But I'd rather not take the risk.

Apart from the above, is there anything else I've forgotten?

 

[Srdl]

It’s now a UK sticker.

From memory for France, you should have spare bulbs, fire extinguisher, high viz jacket for each occupant inside the car, your V5 registration document. The speed camera rule only relates to France and Germany (but I have mine active on my Comand whenever I travel).

Current car has Intelligent Lights so I can swap over from the instrument panel but, on my previous 207, I used to just set the headlights aim to the lowest level and never had any problems (but rarely did any nighttime driving).

@Craiglxviii is the French expert though

 

[star]

As above, I’m on my return leg from the Nordcap, top of Europe, running Waze all the time. Never changed headlamp setting or had a sticker on them.

 

[Capra]

Just found this post, which helps out a lot, I don't expect to be in France for long, but it looks like Belgium has similar rules.

Driving to France from UK

Hi all! I have a 2015 Mercedes S300hL and I am planning on driving to Paris. There's a few requirements I have seen on numerous websites such as UK Stickers, headlight beam converters, first aid kit, reflective jacket etc. What are the compulsory requirements I need when travelling to Europe...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

 

[Wighty]

Just found this post, which helps out a lot, I don't expect to be in France for long, but it looks like Belgium has similar rules.

Driving to France from UK

Hi all! I have a 2015 Mercedes S300hL and I am planning on driving to Paris. There's a few requirements I have seen on numerous websites such as UK Stickers, headlight beam converters, first aid kit, reflective jacket etc. What are the compulsory requirements I need when travelling to Europe...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

It’s a UK sticker now , not GB .

 

[Wighty]

Yellow hi viz jacket for every car occupant , reachable from inside the car .
I always fit headlight deflectors , but as said , if you don‘t get stopped then you don’t need them

 

[Wighty]

As above, I’m on my return leg from the Nordcap, top of Europe, running Waze all the time. Never changed headlamp setting or had a sticker on them.

What car are you in ?

 

[richlumb]

Don’t you need to carry a breath test kit in France ?!

 

[00slk]

Don’t you need to carry a breath test kit in France ?!

We had too have the breath kit in 2019

 

[Srdl]

Don’t you need to carry a breath test kit in France ?!

No, no longer compulsory

 

[Paul Garrett]

I had to custom make light deflectors from 3 sets of euro light stickers as my lights have awkward shape deflector pattern,plus my year merc not have switch on back until 2003 model apparently? And as I'm in Poland it compulsory to have lights on all time and Police take dim view if you not do so, just have UK sticker over my GB one on plates and no problems

 

[Wighty]

Don’t you need to carry a breath test kit in France ?!

No

 

[Capra]

Thanks all. For the price I will buy a set of AA headlight conversion stickers.

 

[sonic]

I have been driving & going on my motorbike to Europe several times a year for at least the last 20 years.
I have never been stopped at all.

 

[Blobcat]

No, no longer compulsory

Never was compulsory as the law never went through… doesn’t stop the ferry companies panicking drivers into purchasing no end of carp they insist they need…

I still carry the spare bulb kit in the boot from my W210… doesn’t say they have to fit the vehicle…

 

[Paul Garrett]

Never was compulsory as the law never went through… doesn’t stop the ferry companies panicking drivers into purchasing no end of carp they insist they need…

I still carry the spare bulb kit in the boot from my W210… doesn’t say they have to fit the vehicle…

Yep same here, bulb set in boot but headlight bulbs not fit but who cares eh? And yes see plenty of goods apparently needed on ferries too

 

[star]

Thanks all. For the price I will buy a set of AA headlight conversion stickers.

Be careful as some stickers will damage the headlamp if used with the headlamps on for a long time.

 

[LostKiwi]

If you have HiD projector headlights they may have a 'tourist mode' switch in the light unit.

It's a small metal tab which when moved to tourist mode changes the beam pattern from \_ to -- (no upward beam kick on the left).

My 251 has them and to be honest I leave them in that setting permanently.

The rule stipulates that headlights must not cause dazzle. If you have the thumbwheel adjuster next to the headlight switch switching to the lowest position may suffice (it did in my 210).

Safety hi-vis jackets one per occupant and must be accessible from the seated and belted position.

Safety triangle, first aid kit and fire extinguisher are a good idea and mandatory in some European countries (Germany is the worst for these).

You also need to be aware that in France there is a legal requirement that if you are first to the scene if an accident you are obliged to stop and give assistance and await the arrival of police.

As noted above alco test units are not required (technically they are but there is no penalty for not carrying one) and UK stickers are required (best solution is the one that sticks to your number plate with UK on a blue background (under £3 on eBay for a pair).

I use an annual breakdown service now that I have an R Class as even a wheel sensor can turn it into a brick. Breakdown insurance was £80 for 12 months including repatriation. Can't remember who with now but can look it up if needed.

 

[mbzclk]

Nationwide Bank provide breakdown cover including Europe. Well worth it with the Travel insurance and mobile phone insurance too.

 

[Chrishazle]

Be careful about the cheapie Ebay stick-on UK stickers for your number plates. I recently bought 2 pairs for my cars, the front one for the SLK was useless because of the mounting screws for the number plates, the SLK rear and both front and rear for the S204 are already peeling off. Replacement plates are not that much more expensive, when we decide to resume our Calais trips I'll be investing in those for the S204.