PaulR Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 Hi All We are heading down to the Italian Lakes in CT24950 in June and I wondered if we would need to put some tape on the headlights to adjust the beam for Europe. She has original non halogen lights Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianhoward Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 Paul I you will find that headlamps require to have the necessary tape on so not to dazzle oncoming vehicles - either that or fit and adjust LHD lamps! Don't forget the required Hi-visibility vests for each occupant, warning triangle, first aid kit, spare bulbs... all required when driving on the continent - different countries having different requirements... Enjoy your trip! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
4Mal Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 Also, I understand that the safety vest must be carried in the car...not the boot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnny250 Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 Where to get the sticky back plastic? and what about the GB sticker....is that still required? john Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Manmail Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 Halfords sell the high visibility jackets (must carry in the car) and also the headlamp stickers (see their website), stickers are not cheap, diy tape should have the same effect Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dazzer Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 Hi Paul Where going to the Italian lakes in the TR4 in June as well. The problem is with the headlight kits/ tape or whatever, you cant see where you're going with the tape on... which is more of a safety factor than perhaps dazzling someone which is highly unlikely on dipped anyway. We've not bothered for the last four years and I've never seen a foreign motorist in the UK with headlight tape on. In Seville a couple of years ago we stopped at services and witnessed a local driving a ford escort with no lights, period. No glass and very little anything else. Theyre not as fussy on the continent when it comes to regulations, which is a good thing, refreshing to say the least with all the petty bureaucracy going on in Blighty. Cheers Darren Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 Travelling via Dunkerque on Monday, and again returning Tuesday, I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of UK cars at the roadside in discussion with the French police . . . . all too clearly checking headlights, and the rest of the requisite safety items. Not the first time that I've seen this little game. Hardly surprising, it's a good painless earner for the police, and don't understimate the on-the-spot fines per item missing from your kit. One race team of my acquaintance shelled out 400 euros en route to Spa last September. Expensive omission. The AA and RAC both detail requirements on their websites, and make sure you cover all the requirements for the various countries you're travelling through. Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
4Mal Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 (edited) Good point Alec. I have heard some horror stories as well. Why stop a local when there is much more fun stopping Brits...who obvioulsy can afford it if they support all those MP's accomodation and Duck houses. Edited May 23, 2009 by 4Mal Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 The other point to remember is radar detectors - not only is it illegal to use one in France, it's also illegal to have one in the car. That means anywhere in the car ! No ifs, no buts, it's confiscation permanently and a thumping fine. Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graeme Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 (edited) At least one country, Switzerland I think, requires two warning triangles. If you breakdown, you must put on the hi-vis jackets before getting out of the car, hence why they need to be in the car, not the boot. I use black electrical tape on the headlights, as the area is usually marked on the glass. As you are travelling in June(long days), you are unlikely to be using the lamps much, so the black tape is just to keep the local constabulary happy! Cheers Graeme Edited May 23, 2009 by graeme Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 The simple answer for headlights is to use the stick-on clear plastic 'beam bending' lenses, which redirect the dipped beam to the right rather than left. They cost little more than a fiver a pair, and a damn sight more sensible than blacking out a chunk of beam and having very little illumination to the left. Why give yourself unnecessarily limited vision by using black tape ? Gormless idea. Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnny250 Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 (edited) At least one country, Switzerland I think, requires two warning triangles. If you breakdown, you must put on the hi-vis jackets before getting out of the car, hence why they need to be in the car, not the boot. I use black electrical tape on the headlights, as the area is usually marked on the glass. As you are travelling in June(long days), you are unlikely to be using the lamps much, so the black tape is just to keep the local constabulary happy! Cheers Graeme I've just checked the RAC info site http://www.rac.co.uk/know-how/going-on-a-j...ing-advisor.cgi only mentions one triangle for Switzerland, but all countries require headlamp adaptors as well as some requiring compulsory use of dipped headlamps during daylight. Also a GB plate is required unless you have modern EU plates Seems as though half the Register will be in Italy next month we're going via France/Switzerland to Stelvio etc but may be returning via the lakes.... give us a wave john Edited May 23, 2009 by johnny250 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dazzer Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 Yes John it does appear that the majority of the register will be on the continent! We're on lake Maggiorie and district 11/12 June and then back to take part in the French Revolution rally 14th -20th June (conquest events) and we're the only TR taking part... 9 Jags though! Give us a wave as well. Cheers Darren Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard V Posted May 24, 2009 Report Share Posted May 24, 2009 (edited) Hi all of you, Its very brave of you to all come over to our un-civilized part of the continent, where ducks live in simple 2up/2down cottages My experience of living in the 3 borders area near Basel is; yes there are checks, but nothing compared to the easy pickings for the Gendarmes on the main routes to the channel ferry ports. I regularly travel between Germany, France and Switzerland. (Twice daily in fact.) and carry a compact pouch in each car including basic first aid kit, 1 warning triangle, reflective jacket (must meet euro norm Bla, Bla, Bla.) and a small powder fire extinguisher. All of this seems just common sence to me and would be in my car regardless of regulations. Germany is the most strict, with rules on trailers requiring an MOT etc. But dont be surprised if whilst at 140KPH in the fast lane you get shunted in the boot by a merc at 220, as the autobahn from Frankfurt down to the Swiss boarder as Basel is unlimited . In Switzerland, so long as you purchase the mandatory road tax sticker and stick it in the approved position on the windscreen in front of the customs guy you buy it from (40SFR) then you should have no problems. However speed cameras are terrible in Switzerland, they are hidden eg. you are in a 120KPH zone and suddenly for no understandable reason there is a 80KPH sign... guess what, the camera is hidden behind it.. They will then stop you at the boarder to pay in cash (or keep your car whilst you walk to the nearest machine...2KM or more at the smaller boarders.) Oh and by the way many tunnels have cameras and the fine is doubled if you are flashed in a tunnel. So however tempting it is to hear what your new Phoenix big bore is capable of.... dont! For France, it is a little more relaxed, and dont worry about cameras as there are helpful signs 1 KM before each camera hinting that you may want to think about slowing down (with pictures ) The Gendarmes do like sitting in the bushes with hand held speed traps which there is no way of ecaping, but it gives you the opportunity to discuss the finer points of your classic in a new language. At 60Euro, it is a relitively cheap french lesson On the positive side, you are coming to the most amazing roads (Switzerland) in the sunshine (France), and you can drive as fast as you like (Germany). You will recognise me, as I will be the one manning a road side stall on the boarder selling triangles, vests and headlight stickers at a huge mark up to all passing TR's (pounds stearling only please) to finance my trip to Malvern this Summer where the only emergency equipment that I shall be carrying is a case of cheap wine Cheers, Richard. Edited May 24, 2009 by Richard V Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graeme Posted May 24, 2009 Report Share Posted May 24, 2009 only mentions one triangle for Switzerland, Sorry about that, after checking the RAC website, it is Spain that requires two triangles. Cheers Graeme Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard V Posted May 24, 2009 Report Share Posted May 24, 2009 The simple answer for headlights is to use the stick-on clear plastic 'beam bending' lenses, which redirect the dipped beam to the right rather than left. They cost little more than a fiver a pair, and a damn sight more sensible than blacking out a chunk of beam and having very little illumination to the left. Why give yourself unnecessarily limited vision by using black tape ? Gormless idea. Cheers, Alec Even better, why not buy a pair of LHD sealed beams BMK2508 £8.76 from Moss. The time you will spend swapping them over on the dock side or in the ferry, will result in less time/money spent in the bar, so in the end you will be quids in. A near by caravan (there always is one!) and a roll of masking tape can be used to make a very acceptable beam adjustment. Cheers, Richard Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rhodri Posted May 24, 2009 Report Share Posted May 24, 2009 Changing topic a little, but will hire cars in France have the required kit, vests, triangle, etc , with them- or do I have to lug mine along on the plane for my holiday? ( TR still not ready) Rod Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ragtag Posted May 24, 2009 Report Share Posted May 24, 2009 Changing topic a little, but will hire cars in France have the required kit, vests, triangle, etc , with them- or do I have to lug mine along on the plane for my holiday? ( TR still not ready) Rod Yes but it is worth checking. A reputable hire car company must supply you with a vehicle that complies with the law. The last time I hired a car in France, it had everything required. (Avis) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ragtag Posted May 24, 2009 Report Share Posted May 24, 2009 Even better, why not buy a pair of LHD sealed beams BMK2508 £8.76 from Moss. The time you will spend swapping them over on the dock side or in the ferry, will result in less time/money spent in the bar, so in the end you will be quids in. You beat me to it but I have a variation on your suggestion. I use sealed beams on my off-roader ('cos they don't fill up with water). When I go across the channel to rip up their countryside I replace one of my headlight with a LHD one. That gives me the spare required by law in France and Belgium. I tape the LHD headlight in the UK (if I know I am going to be driving at night) and then remove that and tape the RHD headlight. This way, I always have 1 reasonable headlight and it is a solution that is reusable. BTW sealed beam headlights from Paddock spares are £3.45 +Vat (RHD) and £5.49+VAT (LHD) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnny250 Posted May 25, 2009 Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 In Switzerland, so long as you purchase the mandatory road tax sticker and stick it in the approved position on the windscreen in front of the customs guy you buy it from (40SFR) then you should have no problems. However speed cameras are terrible in Switzerland, they are hidden eg. you are in a 120KPH zone and suddenly for no understandable reason there is a 80KPH sign... guess what, the camera is hidden behind it.. They will then stop you at the boarder to pay in cash (or keep your car whilst you walk to the nearest machine...2KM or more at the smaller boarders.) Oh and by the way many tunnels have cameras and the fine is doubled if you are flashed in a tunnel. So however tempting it is to hear what your new Phoenix big bore is capable of.... dont! Cheers, Richard. Thanks for all that Richard, I thought that you only have to buy the extra tax disc if using the Swiss motorways? Is it needed for 'non motorways' too? john Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PaulR Posted May 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 Hi Darren We're going from Dunkirque on the 4th. When are you over there? Regards Paul Hi Paul Where going to the Italian lakes in the TR4 in June as well. The problem is with the headlight kits/ tape or whatever, you cant see where you're going with the tape on... which is more of a safety factor than perhaps dazzling someone which is highly unlikely on dipped anyway. We've not bothered for the last four years and I've never seen a foreign motorist in the UK with headlight tape on. In Seville a couple of years ago we stopped at services and witnessed a local driving a ford escort with no lights, period. No glass and very little anything else. Theyre not as fussy on the continent when it comes to regulations, which is a good thing, refreshing to say the least with all the petty bureaucracy going on in Blighty. Cheers Darren Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard V Posted May 25, 2009 Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 Thanks for all that Richard, I thought that you only have to buy the extra tax disc if using the Swiss motorways? Is it needed for 'non motorways' too? john You are right John, Only for the motorways, I was assuming that for most "tourists" the point of entry would be a motorway. You need the tax even if you leave the motorway after 100m at the next exit. Crossing switzerland on national roads is possible, but you would need a patient map reader or a good GPS. If you have the time to discover the alpine passes and the smaller roads, you will not regret it, as they are some of the best in the world (I have been reliably informed). Cheers, Richard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwifrog Posted May 25, 2009 Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 Travelling via Dunkerque on Monday, and again returning Tuesday, I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of UK cars at the roadside in discussion with the French police . . . . all too clearly checking headlights, and the rest of the requisite safety items. Not the first time that I've seen this little game. Hardly surprising, it's a good painless earner for the police, and don't understimate the on-the-spot fines per item missing from your kit. One race team of my acquaintance shelled out 400 euros en route to Spa last September. Expensive omission. The AA and RAC both detail requirements on their websites, and make sure you cover all the requirements for the various countries you're travelling through. Cheers, Alec Alec Its quite common to be stopped in France wherever you are and no matter the country of registration. The gendarmes or police do not need a justification to stop you. In France you have to carry your registration documents, license and proof of insurance with you at all times. I get stopped in my work van at least twice a year, I have been stoped in a TR once but that was just so they could chat about the cool little car, or it could be I just look dodgy Cheers Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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