trip to DE

[EnzoMC]

I'm looking to pop over to Germany for work and was thinking about going by car instead of flying so I get the weekend to have an explore of some nice roads. for those who have been across europe before, I have no idea what to expect and what to prep for other than a full working car

- ferry or train ?

- French tolls - heard that you can get a quick pass, is it worth it and is it just for France. also on the tolls, obviously the toll would be on the left, do they have right-hand side booths or just a case of lean over to pay as not all tolls I expect will have quick passes if I go this way.

- documents I need to take

- roadside cover - will be calling them to confirm I have european cover

- insurance - will need to also check this

- speed limits / police, heard a few bad things, I'm not sure what to expect as its my 1st trip

is it best to go through france or get into Germany as soon as poss and work my way down south towards Munich

 

[Woody]

I take it you're in the UK?

Here's my quick take on it:

Toll roads - if you go across the top, through Belgium, I think you get to Germany without hitting tolls (or very few of them)....though I might be wrong.

Documents: Lots. Driving license, proof of insurance and your V5/MOT
Roadside Cover: I got Euro breakdown and recovery.
Insurance: should just be a case of calling them to tell them. They'll send you stuff if you need it.
Speed Limits: I'm not sure of them but in France, I'd be particualry careful. Generally speaking, I make sure I'm not going mad and on the trips I've done, touch wood, I've been fine. *

Dont forget there's also a few other things you need to dirve in France - High-Vis jacket, spare bulbs etc. Apparently, they can be tough on you if you dont comply.


* exlcuding a recent trip to South Africa. Just been told I've got a ticket here! Grr....

 

[Mr.Cambio]

In Germany there are no tolls, and you can find some highways with no speed limit.

One of the best road is the A8 (Stuttgart to Munich), i was driving the Mas with 260 kms and was overtaken by an M5 by approx 300....!!

 

[EnzoMC]

thanks Woody

was thinking this way and staying clear of France as much as poss, but slower route. regards tolls - maybe a silly question but are they all on the left or is it worth getting a quick pass which I seen talked about of other threads ?

V5 doc wouldn't have taken this (good to know)

hi-vis have one anyway (for work) but spare bulbs thats a new one

whats best train or ferry, take it not much in it other than speed vs cost


how did you do on petrol

 

[EnzoMC]

In Germany there are no tolls, and you can find some highways with no speed limit.

.......

 

[MAF260]

Hi-vis jackets/vests must also be carried inside the passenger compartment so that you can put them on before exiting the car. Fines if they find them in the boot. Carry a decent amount of Euros as well in case you get a bit excited and end up with an on the spot fine. If you have a radar detector, leave it at home. Even finding one not being used in your car in France carries hefty penalties.

 

[Woody]

Train vs Ferry is persoal prefference I guess...personally, I think the train is so fuss free, its the obvious choice for me.

Tolls - nope, they're on the passenger side of a RHD car...I managed OK though when on my own.

As for petrol....how do you mean? Its readily avaialble and from mememory is a little cheaper than the UK, but not by much.

 

[Parisien]

Fly and hire.....but too near to get a VFM fare?

Otherise...train...so comfy, so fast and takes you to city centres


P

 

[TridentTested]

was thinking this way and staying clear of France as much as poss, but slower route. regards tolls - maybe a silly question but are they all on the left or is it worth getting a quick pass which I seen talked about of other threads ?

With one exception at the first toll gate after Calais all the other gates in France have the toll booth/credit card machine on the left (for French drivers). Why, I don't know, it makes much more sense to let your passenger deal with it rather than trying to find your wallet and drive at the same time. If I lived in France I would be campaigning for machines on the right side.

Do NOT under any circumstances buy a pass (telepeage) if you intend, ahem, "making progress". They will deduct the fine automatically from your credit card - the fine calculated by time of entry and exit. For the same reason pay by cash wherever possible. Less chance of having a retrospective fine applied.

The French have become very speed aware in the last few years. There was a time every little Eurobox on the autoroutes was tooling along at 100 mph but now it's rare you see anyone breaking the limit (130 kph). There are a few cameras, there are even fewer concealed radar traps, but it's the automatic time difference calculation at the péage which will get you.

I find setting the cruise at 134 kph (via TomTom) never causes a problem.

You can avoid the French tolls by ducking into Belgium. It makes the journey a little longer but be warned, they are free and you get what you pay for. The surfaces are shocking: coarse, pot-holed and rutted from trucks.

 

[EnzoMC]

Hi-vis jackets/vests must also be carried inside the passenger compartment so that you can put them on before exiting the car. Fines if they find them in the boot. Carry a decent amount of Euros as well in case you get a bit excited and end up with an on the spot fine. If you have a radar detector, leave it at home. Even finding one not being used in your car in France carries hefty penalties.

Thanks - bet that would happen as well, was thinking about putting the vis in the boot, so under the seat then.

did have radar in my old car which save my bacon a few times. don't have one in this so will be careful, take it the tomtom speed limit warnings are OK

Train vs Ferry is persoal prefference I guess...personally, I think the train is so fuss free, its the obvious choice for me.

Tolls - nope, they're on the passenger side of a RHD car...I managed OK though when on my own.

As for petrol....how do you mean? Its readily avaialble and from mememory is a little cheaper than the UK, but not by much.

think the train is best option, was just looking forward to my bacon roll.
petrol - heard that super-unleaded isn't at all the petrol stations ?

Thanks the tolls were a concern

With one exception at the first toll gate after Calais all the other gates in France have the toll booth/credit card machine on the left (for French drivers). Why, I don't know, it makes much more sense to let your passenger deal with it rather than trying to find your wallet and drive at the same time. If I lived in France I would be campaigning for machines on the right side.

Do NOT under any circumstances buy a pass (telepeage) if you intend, ahem, "making progress". They will deduct the fine automatically from your credit card - the fine calculated by time of entry and exit. For the same reason pay by cash wherever possible. Less chance of having a retrospective fine applied.

The French have become very speed aware in the last few years. There was a time every little Eurobox on the autoroutes was tooling along at 100 mph but now it's rare you see anyone breaking the limit (130 kph). There are a few cameras, there are even fewer concealed radar traps, but it's the automatic time difference calculation at the péage which will get you.

I find setting the cruise at 134 kph (via TomTom) never causes a problem.

You can avoid the French tolls by ducking into Belgium. It makes the journey a little longer but be warned, they are free and you get what you pay for. The surfaces are shocking: coarse, pot-holed and rutted from trucks.

Thanks - will get cash, did think if they would also use for speed checks. I've been to Germany before and the roads seem fine but this was just form the airport to work. let see what good roads I can find either on the french or german side


thanks all - great help

 

[EnzoMC]

one thing the misses just said, what about head lights, good point do you still need to adjust these ?

 

[BennyD]

Watch the French black rats. 40kph over the limit will get you banned and, IIRC, 70kph and you lose your car. Make sure when dealing with the Godless SOBs you have all your documents, GB plates, spare bulb set, 2x breathalysers, fluorescent jackets, sh!tloads of euros and a sense of humour. But, whatever you do, don't use the sense of humour, they wouldn't understand it. F*cking w*nkers, all of them.

 

[BennyD]

one thing the misses just said, what about head lights, good point do you still need to adjust these ?

No, just dazzle the b*stards.

 

[Parisien]

Watch the French black rats. 40kph over the limit will get you banned and, IIRC, 70kph and you lose your car. Make sure when dealing with the Godless SOBs you have all your documents, GB plates, spare bulb set, 2x breathalysers, fluorescent jackets, sh!tloads of euros and a sense of humour. But, whatever you do, don't use the sense of humour, they wouldn't understand it. F*cking w*nkers, all of them.

....a fledgling Francophobe in the making ....eh Benny......


P

 

[BennyD]

No fledgling about it Frank. Fully committed, dyed in the wool and practicing.

 

[Parisien]

No fledgling about it Frank. Fully committed, dyed in the wool and practicing.

...suppose its on your passport too Ian....... under identifying features......

P

 

[BennyD]

Hopefully, it cuts out the foreplay before they f*ck you.

 

[Emtee]

Do NOT under any circumstances buy a pass (telepeage) if you intend, ahem, "making progress". They will deduct the fine automatically from your credit card - the fine calculated by time of entry and exit. For the same reason pay by cash wherever possible. Less chance of having a retrospective fine applied.

The French have become very speed aware in the last few years. There was a time every little Eurobox on the autoroutes was tooling along at 100 mph but now it's rare you see anyone breaking the limit (130 kph). There are a few cameras, there are even fewer concealed radar traps, but it's the automatic time difference calculation at the péage which will get you.

TridentTested, Not that I have an ulterior motif (ahem) but I'd appreciate clarification on this point. I've not heard of fines actually applied as a result to toll timings?

Thanks, Em.

 

[Emtee]

Hopefully, it cuts out the foreplay before they f*ck you.

Benny, you so need to run for French President. They're recruiting at the moment and the two they have in the frame are both French for goodness sake!! Get your CV in and mix it up a bit! Be quick though; applications close in a couple of days.........

 

[BennyD]

Miles, not a chance, I have standards. Low standards I agree, but still too high for that lot. Anyway, the only standards they have, have a white cross with a white outline on a white background.