France in the van

[Johnod17]

Looking at going to France in the van for the first time in years done on bike and drop top (before kids)

What has changed
Habitation certificate? Van t5.1 Combi converted to camper but not registered as camper (fixed bed sink hob fridge etc)
Good sites northern France next to the sea ( park up and forget)
Any tips ?

Thanks

 

[laidbackian]

Check whether you need a Crit‘Air (environment certificate) for where you are planning to visit or transit. Really easy to get, a few euros and you upload a scan of your V5, and only takes a few days to arrive.

Le site officiel de la vignette Crit'Air (certificat qualité de l'air) - Ministère de la Transition écologique

Le seul site officiel à délivrer la vignette Crit'Air (certificat qualité de l'air), établie en fonction des émissions polluantes du véhicule.

certificat-air.gouv.fr

The Crit'Air anti-pollution vehicle sticker

Paris has become the first restricted traffic area in France. This means that all vehicles travelling in the capital must now carry a ‘Crit’

www.france.fr

 

[rod_vw]

No vehicle requirements other that those required for UK driving. Your headlights should dip to the right if you intend driving at night.

UK sticker for the rear.

As above about the Crit'Air sticker.

Camp sites can be found no various web sites, we use Searchforsites but there are many others.

Watch the speed limits with lots of radar, they have a blanket limit but it's not the same in all departments (like counties to us in the UK)

It may be worth a look at the Motorhoming France website and registering for their monthly news letter.

 

[JonriceT6]

Check whether you need a Crit‘Air (environment certificate) for where you are planning to visit or transit. Really easy to get, a few euros and you upload a scan of your V5, and only takes a few days to arrive.

Le site officiel de la vignette Crit'Air (certificat qualité de l'air) - Ministère de la Transition écologique

Le seul site officiel à délivrer la vignette Crit'Air (certificat qualité de l'air), établie en fonction des émissions polluantes du véhicule.

certificat-air.gouv.fr

The Crit'Air anti-pollution vehicle sticker

Paris has become the first restricted traffic area in France. This means that all vehicles travelling in the capital must now carry a ‘Crit’

www.france.fr

Is a van classed as light utility?

 

[rod_vw]

Is a van classed as light utility?

I think that is how I described my high roof T6 when I ordered mine. They usually sort it all out from the scan/photo of the V5C without any problem.

If you want to order the Umweltplakette (emissions sticker) for Germany get it from here Online-Antrag Feinstaubplakette - Berlin.de and don't get caught by the websites charging silly money for it!

 

[laidbackian]

Is a van classed as light utility?

Yes, N1, which you can confirm from the vehicle category on your V5.

 

[vegt]

Off to France myself at the end of the month.

Here are some links re driving that I found helpful when researching:

• Driving in France Advice | What Are The Laws? | RAC Drive
• Driving in France – Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
• Vehicle insurance
• Driving in Europe: everything you need to know - Admiral.com

I got my Crit‘Air from the official French government website, as per this advice from RAC. It cost only a few quid but took about 3 weeks to arrive to me here in the UK via post.

I also got the UK sticker (magnetic) for the rear, and the Eirolites for the headlights:



I keep a warning triangle and a high viz in the van at all times too.

I’ll also be taking my license, the original V5 registration document for the van, and a copy of my insurance certificate.

Other than all the above, I don’t believe anything else is required.

 

[True Romance]

Spare bulbs always pops up as a requirement but no idea if actually needed? Have LEDs so just carry a generic bulb pack to show if stopped.

 

[vegt]

Spare bulbs always pops up as a requirement but no idea if actually needed? Have LEDs so just carry a generic bulb pack to show if stopped.

It was the last time I went, but the RAC link in my post above says “It is recommended but not mandatory that you carry a spare bulb kit for your vehicle”.

Driving in France: top tips, advice and guidance | RAC Drive

Driving in France is very different to driving in the UK . Find out everything you need to know and need to take with you before you go.

www.rac.co.uk

It also says “Note: Before 2020 it was a legal requirement to carry a breathalyser kit with at least two disposable testing units - however, this is no longer the case. It is still recomended to carry one, while travelling for safety purposes.”

Seems like it’s a bit simpler to pop over to France these days!

 

[paulbroadberry1]

Spare bulbs always pops up as a requirement but no idea if actually needed? Have LEDs so just carry a generic bulb pack to show if stopped.

With the LEDs do you need to alter them for driving on the other side of the road? Just asked my dealer who didn’t know the answer! Thanks for your help.

 

[Higgidav]

With the LEDs do you need to alter them for driving on the other side of the road? Just asked my dealer who didn’t know the answer! Thanks for your help.

If you have a T6 with factory LED’s there is a travel mode in the MFD. I understand the T6.1 does not have that option but others will advise.

 

[Steve Lyon]

I'd recommend the Bip & Go for the tolls. There's a pay as you go option and it works a treat.

 

[Bobby Turkalino]

Looking at the official French websitetheyask for a co2/km figure. Itsays its listed onthe v5 against V.7, my document doesn't have this!

 

[DXX]

Looking at the official French websitetheyask for a co2/km figure. Itsays its listed onthe v5 against V.7, my document doesn't have this!

Depends on the engine and gross weight I guess, my V5 states 192g/Km but that’s for a 2016, SWB, T32, 180PS, Euro5.
It might be listed on the receipt for the road tax?

 

[Bobby Turkalino]

Depends on the engine and gross weight I guess, my V5 states 192g/Km but that’s for a 2016, SWB, T32, 180PS, Euro5.
It might be listed on the receipt for the road tax?

Thanks

 

[DXX]

@Bobby Turkalino Put your Reg # in Check if a vehicle is taxed and it will show CO2 g/Km

 

[Bobby Turkalino]

@Bobby Turkalino Put your Reg # in Check if a vehicle is taxed and it will show CO2 g/Km

Thanks again!