Riding In France - The Truth PLEASE!

When we were in France, and raised exactly the same question with the locals, we were told that none of the French riders paid any attention to the need for stickers and there was no history of police attention. Like all anecdotal evidence there is no way of knowing if this is 90% true or 99.99% true.

Graham,

My wife and I hope to pass through France on the way to the International Rally and have purchased 2 packs of helmet stickers from Drive-France.com for £11.95.

You are correct in that there seems to be nothing definitive as to the actual requirement for the stickers but for few pounds I felt it was worth it not to have any unpleasantness with the French Constabulary, I also purchased two breathalyzer kits, which is another requirement that no one seems to know if actually required but better safe than sorry!

Tony

Is it a modern bike you are riding in France?

If not, have you checked out where you are going to find E0 petrol.

Difficult enough in the UK!

I am riding into France this Sunday and the only rule that I intend to abide by is to ride on the right, I'll post you from jail if convicted and inform you of the definitive.

The problem is that there is money to be made by worrying people into buying apparently 'legally required stuff". Hence worry news that "you need helmet stickers" and someone who will sell them to you. It is like the shops in the ferry terminals making large margins on headlamp beam correctors, etc., etc.

..and the French law does not specify TWO breathalysers, just one. The story that it is two gets repeated by everyone. ADVICE is that you carry two so that you have a spare left after testing yourself.

I was told by a French rider that the helmet sticker idea was an option in an EU regulation set for helmet sales. All other EU nations deleted it when applying national sales regulations and only the French kept it. It applies only to the sale and use of helmets sold in France. It is doubtful that anyone from another nation with a sticker less helmet could be guilty of an offence. I think again it is a case of panic stories being spread and the British being only too quick to believe them. The only risk is in meeting a very difficult Gendarme who wants to get you for something and who decides his reading of the law requires an on-the-spot fine.

I bought a new Roof helmet last year (made in France and very good by the way) It came with the stickers in the box but not attached. Prior to the International rally in France couple of years ago the topic came up and the general consensus was don't worry about it. They are a safety device and I think they are a good idea. I wear a dayglo vest as well, anything that stacks up in your favour when it comes to surviving on the road is a good thing in my book.

Rumour has it that the police were nicking some people only in Paris for not having the stickers. Because they had nothing better to do.

I have been to France many times and not bothered and have not heard of anyone having a problem, even the locals.

Breathaliser is a very grey area, I have one in the bottom of my panniers, just in case of a pull. I don't even drink!!!!!

There are also rumours of the having to carry, not wear a daglo vest just in case of an accident. Just like the car drivers. Not Confirmed.

And I'm not locked up and I saved myself 35 quid on belts and whisles, see you all in Italy then !

Previously terry_woods wrote:

And I'm not locked up and I saved myself 35 quid on belts and whisles, see you all in Italy then !

The police in Paris have nothing better to do than to check on breathalizers??? Come on, people! Read the news!!!

Seriously, that breathalizer thing is a non issue. The previous govenment tried to make it compulsary, but were ousted before they could enforce it. So the law says you are supposed to have one with you, BUT there is no penalty if you don't!!! Do you really think the cops are going to bother with that one???

About the stickers. It is a fact that the law does not make provisions for non nationals who come from countries where stickers are not required... Suit yourselves! I have never been asked to show them by any cop. But to be on the safe side, I have got them. Unless a cop was really out to get you for whatever reason, I can't see them bothering with that one either!

Lights are mandatory at all time for motorcycles registered AFTER January 1965. So you don't need to have them on your 1957 Dommie. (article R.40-2 et R.69 du code de la route) The problem is that often, cops don't know... I used to go around with a photocopy of the said act, but nobody ever bothered me when I was riding my old 50s bikes.