Preparing Your Car:

Check that your car is ready for a long journey.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for tyre tread (don’t forget the spare!), tyre air pressure, lights, oil, water and brake fluid.  Make sure you have a full tank of petrol (some people try to arrive on the other side of the channel with an empty tank as petrol is cheaper in France - but we don't recommend this, you won't save a fortune!).

You need to ensure you have the following for your car: nationality sticker, spare light bulb set, beam deflectors (so you don’t blind oncoming traffic with your lights), first aid kit and fire extinguisher.  New from July 1st 2008 -  it will be necessary for drivers to carry a yellow luminous vest in the car for use in case of a car breakdown/accident in France.  You must be wearing one when you get out of your car (so keeping it in the boot or somewhere inaccessible is not an option).  A warning triangle is also essential and this must also be readily accessible in your boot; needing to remove luggage to find it is again not an option. This should conform  to European regulations and have stamped somewhere on the triangle an E and the regulation number 27R. In both cases, failure to comply can result in on the spot fines of between €90 and €135.

You need to take the following documents: full UK driving licence, vehicle registration document, insurance certificate (green card not necessary) – make sure your insurance company covers you for driving on the continent, European accident statement form (available from your insurance company - see example on the left), vehicle recovery insurance certificate and information pack*.  You will need a letter of authority to use a company car.

*We recommend you take a European vehicle recovery insurance policy with one of the leading providers such as the AA or the RAC.  If you have a major breakdown, or accident, these policies are worth their weight in gold.  Both the AA and RAC offer such policies.

Also we recommend that you take a spare set of keys.  A good friend of ours locked their keys in the car and had to smash the window to recover them as they were staying in a gite several miles from civilisation!