Driving in mainland Europe

xenon · 12-07-2011, 09:25 AM

Is it still mandatory to carry a hi-viz vest, triangle and bulb-kit?
If so, what kind of bulb kit do I get for my car which has absolutely no incandescent bulbs on it or in it?

carl_d · 12-07-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

Is it still mandatory to carry a hi-viz vest, triangle and bulb-kit?
If so, what kind of bulb kit do I get for my car which has absolutely no incandescent bulbs on it or in it?

Follow the tips and link at this page http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...al_advice.html

magic77 · 12-07-2011, 11:47 AM

All depends on which countries you visit. As a rule I always carry two triangles , vest for each person, fire extinguisher, spare bulb kit. Worth checking exactly as some countries Germany I think have it mandatory for winter tyres to be fitted during certain months

xenon · 12-08-2011, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magic77

All depends on which countries you visit. As a rule I always carry two triangles , vest for each person, fire extinguisher, spare bulb kit. Worth checking exactly as some countries Germany I think have it mandatory for winter tyres to be fitted during certain months

France and Belgium. As I say though, a bulb kit is pointless as there are no bulbs on the car. Surely I can't carry a bag of LEDs....

magic77 · 12-08-2011, 03:09 AM

Thats true but I find its easier then trying to explain to a french police if they get annoying. I just have a box with few spare bulbs in it. In the end you still have standard bulbs for brake lights and back lights. Its only LED for indicators. Though thats on E90 so yours might be different.

xenon · 12-08-2011, 03:45 AM

On the F10 every bulb is LED, front and rear.

doughboy · 12-08-2011, 04:10 AM

Xenon,

As said, just buy a a cheap Halfords bulb kit to keep any over zealous Gendarme happy

Easier than trying to explain 'but but but my car uses the latest LED technology......' in French.

creepy coupe · 12-08-2011, 04:50 AM

Funny how the Surrender Monkeys insist on spare bulbs. It was only a few years ago they were still driving with yellow headlights

kaishang · 12-08-2011, 05:41 AM

I think the spare bulb rule is enforced about as often as the 130km/h speed limit.

EXSKIN · 12-08-2011, 03:40 PM

Don't know how far or where your going in Europe but a couple of stickers will be needed, Germany Umwelt(enviromental) sticker for most cities, Austria Vinnette for the motorways, 7, 10 days and the total rip off Swizterland motorway sticker, 41 euros at the border, pre order is cheaper no 7 10 days deal its for a full year.

flyfs6 · 12-08-2011, 03:44 PM

I picked up a random vest and bulb kit from BMW (buy any for the sake of having them, hell I'd take along a home light bulb).

kaishang · 12-09-2011, 02:05 AM

If your car has LEDs and xenon lights, you don't need spare bulbs. Nobody is going to enforce this.

xenon · 12-09-2011, 02:31 AM

Just a pair of high-viz vests then. Thanks all.

kaishang · 12-09-2011, 02:38 AM

BTW I drove on Swiss motorways with no sticker. I consciously objected to paying for a 1-year sticker for only 2 days use.

magic77 · 12-09-2011, 02:44 AM

I would take a fire extinguisher as well , as for Swiss you can sometimes get away with it, if they spot it they will make you buy one on the spot.

You can buy them on-line for short term visits as well I thought. I'm sure I did few years ago when I went for week.

xenon · 12-09-2011, 03:28 AM

I'm only going from Calais - Bruges.

12-07-2011, 09:25 AM	#1
xenon Major General 1394 Rep 8,081 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	Driving in mainland Europe Is it still mandatory to carry a hi-viz vest, triangle and bulb-kit? If so, what kind of bulb kit do I get for my car which has absolutely no incandescent bulbs on it or in it? __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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12-07-2011, 11:47 AM	#3
magic77 Brigadier General 258 Rep 3,815 Posts Drives: ex- 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Surrey iTrader: (2)	All depends on which countries you visit. As a rule I always carry two triangles , vest for each person, fire extinguisher, spare bulb kit. Worth checking exactly as some countries Germany I think have it mandatory for winter tyres to be fitted during certain months __________________ F30 335i M Sport - now departed
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12-08-2011, 03:09 AM	#5
magic77 Brigadier General 258 Rep 3,815 Posts Drives: ex- 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Surrey iTrader: (2)	Thats true but I find its easier then trying to explain to a french police if they get annoying. I just have a box with few spare bulbs in it. In the end you still have standard bulbs for brake lights and back lights. Its only LED for indicators. Though thats on E90 so yours might be different. __________________ F30 335i M Sport - now departed
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12-08-2011, 03:45 AM	#6
xenon Major General 1394 Rep 8,081 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	On the F10 every bulb is LED, front and rear. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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12-08-2011, 04:10 AM	#7
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Xenon, As said, just buy a a cheap Halfords bulb kit to keep any over zealous Gendarme happy Easier than trying to explain 'but but but my car uses the latest LED technology......' in French.
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12-08-2011, 04:50 AM	#8
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	Funny how the Surrender Monkeys insist on spare bulbs. It was only a few years ago they were still driving with yellow headlights
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12-08-2011, 05:41 AM	#9
kaishang Colonel 54 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I think the spare bulb rule is enforced about as often as the 130km/h speed limit.
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12-08-2011, 03:40 PM	#10
EXSKIN Private 6 Rep 74 Posts Drives: 335D M-SPORT E92 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: sunderland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 325D M-SPORT E92 [0.00]	Don't know how far or where your going in Europe but a couple of stickers will be needed, Germany Umwelt(enviromental) sticker for most cities, Austria Vinnette for the motorways, 7, 10 days and the total rip off Swizterland motorway sticker, 41 euros at the border, pre order is cheaper no 7 10 days deal its for a full year. Last edited by EXSKIN; 12-08-2011 at 03:49 PM..
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12-08-2011, 03:44 PM	#11
flyfs6 Captain 48 Rep 691 Posts Drives: BMW i7 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I picked up a random vest and bulb kit from BMW (buy any for the sake of having them, hell I'd take along a home light bulb).
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12-09-2011, 02:05 AM	#12
kaishang Colonel 54 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	If your car has LEDs and xenon lights, you don't need spare bulbs. Nobody is going to enforce this.
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12-09-2011, 02:31 AM	#13
xenon Major General 1394 Rep 8,081 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	Just a pair of high-viz vests then. Thanks all. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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12-09-2011, 02:38 AM	#14
kaishang Colonel 54 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	BTW I drove on Swiss motorways with no sticker. I consciously objected to paying for a 1-year sticker for only 2 days use.
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12-09-2011, 02:44 AM	#15
magic77 Brigadier General 258 Rep 3,815 Posts Drives: ex- 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Surrey iTrader: (2)	I would take a fire extinguisher as well , as for Swiss you can sometimes get away with it, if they spot it they will make you buy one on the spot. You can buy them on-line for short term visits as well I thought. I'm sure I did few years ago when I went for week. __________________ F30 335i M Sport - now departed
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12-09-2011, 03:28 AM	#16
xenon Major General 1394 Rep 8,081 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	I'm only going from Calais - Bruges. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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