Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: horsecow on 26 March 2013, 12:49:48
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I've been asked to drive a van to malta and back and was wondering what is required for driving a vehicle from the uk in france and italy. I know there are members on here who have experience of this, I have driven in both countries before but this was in cars hired in these countries. All help greatly appreciated.
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Bit of info here http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/compulsory_equipment.html
My advise would be to abide by the speed limits.
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Original docs...
V5, insurance certificate, MoT certificate, both parts of your licence. Passport.
Extras...
High vis jackets for all occupants, two French approved Breathalyzer kits, Spare bulbs for every exterior light, warning triangle or two, first aid kit.
If the van has a gross weight of more than 3.5t, then you will need a minimum of a C1 licence, along with suitable tachographs for the entire trip including previous 28 days, driver cpc card. All relevant customs paperwork including copies.
If towing a trailer then you will need at least a C1+E licence as well as the above.
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The original reg docs could be a prob as its a hire van!! Will have to look into that one guys. The rest of the stuff is ok I was pretty sure of that, just wanted a second opinion from someone who'd done it before basically.
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They need to know it's being taken abroad as it might not be insured for it.
Also as said if over 3.5t, you'll need to comply with all the commercial stuff. Also as van is a rental, you'll need proof of an operators licence for it as well if it's over 3.5t.
Depends on whether you are being paid or not and what is being carried as to exactly what applies. Even if you're just driving to help a friend move, you should have a fully itemised manifest for the load.
The shipper, the driver and the vehicle owner are all responsible, but don't forget, as the driver, your head hits the crap first :-\
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I'm not organising the hire but I've told them that they need to be told that its going to malta and that there might be a mileage limit in the hire. It will be under 3.5t gross and there is no pay involved for it, basically doing a favour for a friend who is moving there but they are covering all my costs/expenses and I've always fancied driving down through Italy so why not do it on someone else's ticket. Might take an extra few days coming back :y :y
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Remember some of the basic stuff like high-vis vests, needs to be within the drivers reach and inside the cabin. Some stuff you can't tuck away in the boot.
Go with the flow, watch out on some of the ticketed toll sections, they often time speed between them.
If you are going soon, make sure you have strong mix of decent screenwash. In Austria in Jan when I drove down, -10 a lot of the way! -18 over night, even pure, the halfrauds screenwash here won't cut it.
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I'm not organising the hire but I've told them that they need to be told that its going to malta and that there might be a mileage limit in the hire. It will be under 3.5t gross and there is no pay involved for it, basically doing a favour for a friend who is moving there but they are covering all my costs/expenses and I've always fancied driving down through Italy so why not do it on someone else's ticket. Might take an extra few days coming back :y :y
Sounds like fun 8)
Are they travelling with you? Possibly a good idea to have a detailed list of the contents along with written consent from your friend detailing names/addresses/contact numbers just in case. If travelling in convoy, stick together with the slowest vehicle in front. That way, if any problems you all stop :y
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The original reg docs could be a prob as its a hire van!! Will have to look into that one guys. The rest of the stuff is ok I was pretty sure of that, just wanted a second opinion from someone who'd done it before basically.
The hire company will be able to give you a certified copy(photocopy) of the V5. Signed and stamped with their company stamp.
Breathalyser law has been dropped but it is still advised to carry 2 with you. You may need light benders for the headlights.
If the number plates hasn't the GB euro flag on them you will need a GB sticker. Make sure the hire companies break down service and insurance covers you for the countries your driving in.
As the goods in the van are not yours, you will need a full list of the contains.
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I'll be travelling alone both down and up which I dont mind at all, neither of them drive and they dont fancy sitting in a cramped van for 3/4 days so they'll be flying to Malta and I'll meet them down there with all their gear.
What are and where would I get light benders? Is this something to do with the headlight settings being different over there?
They are looking into ferry prices etc at the minute but looks like I'll be heading off round the 20th april if all goes to plan.
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Is this something to do with the headlight settings being different over there?
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It's the bit in between where they have different settings ;) Malta drives on the same side of the road as us, so your headlights will be OK when you get there. Obviously France etc between us drive on the other side. It depends on the vehicle as to what you need to do, some cars like the Omega have a lever inside the headlight to cut off the upward/left sweep of a RHD car's lights to give a symmetrical beam pattern ( ____ instead of \____ ) Others you need to faff about with bits of tape stuck to the headlight. :y
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It seems to be a requirement that the number plate on the front has to be different to number plate on the rear!!
I kid you not!......i drive on the m4 4 hours a day at the moment....and you tend to notice things...
You pick on any foreign lorry and check its number plate on its trailer.....drive past and look at the plate on the front of the tractor unit.....99% of the time not only will it be different but they wont even be from the same country >:(
If i were in charge, it would be an automatic 100 Euro or £100 on the spot fine if your trailer number plate didnt match your tractor unit plate......with the potential of 100'000's of foreign lorries getting fined......might help the UK economy a tad :y
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It seems to be a requirement that the number plate on the front has to be different to number plate on the rear!!
I kid you not!......i drive on the m4 4 hours a day at the moment....and you tend to notice things...
You pick on any foreign lorry and check its number plate on its trailer.....drive past and look at the plate on the front of the tractor unit.....99% of the time not only will it be different but they wont even be from the same country >:(
If i were in charge, it would be an automatic 100 Euro or £100 on the spot fine if your trailer number plate didnt match your tractor unit plate......with the potential of 100'000's of foreign lorries getting fined......might help the UK economy a tad :y
Actually quite legal for continentals .. :) look at foreign caravans .. same applies .... :
Simple reason is, ALL trailers are individually licensed and taxed .. so the trailer has its "own" registration plate :)
If the trailer and tractor are the same .. then they are illegal !!! :) :)
Nice try at revenue raising however :)
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It seems to be a requirement that the number plate on the front has to be different to number plate on the rear!!
I kid you not!......i drive on the m4 4 hours a day at the moment....and you tend to notice things...
You pick on any foreign lorry and check its number plate on its trailer.....drive past and look at the plate on the front of the tractor unit.....99% of the time not only will it be different but they wont even be from the same country >:(
If i were in charge, it would be an automatic 100 Euro or £100 on the spot fine if your trailer number plate didnt match your tractor unit plate......with the potential of 100'000's of foreign lorries getting fined......might help the UK economy a tad :y
Actually quite legal for continentals .. :) look at foreign caravans .. same applies .... :
Simple reason is, ALL trailers are individually licensed and taxed .. so the trailer has its "own" registration plate :)
If the trailer and tractor are the same .. then they are illegal !!! :) :)
Nice try at revenue raising however :)
All foreign vehicles and drivers should be made to comply with UK law!! >:( So all trailers should have to display the registration plate of the towing vehicle with appropriate fines for non - compliance!! :y
We're too damn soft!!! >:(
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There are hire companies that are quite happy for continental hire... The one I tend to use are great fore it :y
Generally you have all the info... For route options it's up to you but I would go through Belgium and Switzerland over straight across France for both speed/time and comfort. Toll roads are worth using, especially in Italy. You'll need to buy a Vignette for the Swiss motorways :y
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Belguim isnt really an option for me lazydocker. I'm leaving from belfast so will go from there to rosslare (bottom of ireland) and get ferry to cherbourg). Overall this will take less than 24hrs and the ferry is only 200 euro return for a van so thats the quickest cheapest way to mainland europe and then its basically a straight run down through france into italy onto sicily and across to malta. They are looking at a ferry from genoa to malta but it takes over 2 days and I would rather spend the 2 days driving and go through italy and sicily.
Quite complicated this continental driving lark but the headlights is the only bit that concerns me so far. Hoping the hire company will be quite helpful as well.
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Even if the headlights can be adjusted for driving on the right, I'd buy a set of the stick on tabs that deflect the beam. If you get pulled by the Gendarmerie, Carabinarieri or whichever local plod, then it's obvious that you have complied and there can be little argument. ;)
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Even if the headlights can be adjusted for driving on the right, I'd buy a set of the stick on tabs that deflect the beam. If you get pulled by the Gendarmerie, Carabinarieri or whichever local plod, then it's obvious that you have complied and there can be little argument. ;)
There are plenty of cars that don't need a bit of sticky tape on them, & I'm sceptical at how good they are anyway. Omegas eg have the lever inside to produce a symmetrical beam & some Mercs can be done via their onboard dash options.
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Yes but convincing a non English speaking Italian policeman that you have changed the beam with the lever can be tricky. If you have a sticky pad on your headlight it's obvious. ;)
I used to work for a motor sport company and spent a lot of time driving around Europe and got pulled a few times. One of the first things they'd check on a right hand drive vehicle was the headlights. ::)
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Kind of agree... On short trips I just use the levers but when I went for a fortnight I just stuck the beam benders on for ease of any argument!
To the op, didn't look at your location :-[ I think it's the AA site that has a toll calculator... Very handy! Should be a good run... You can do the length of Italy in a (longish) day comfortably if you use the toll roads ;)
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It seems to be a requirement that the number plate on the front has to be different to number plate on the rear!!
I kid you not!......i drive on the m4 4 hours a day at the moment....and you tend to notice things...
You pick on any foreign lorry and check its number plate on its trailer.....drive past and look at the plate on the front of the tractor unit.....99% of the time not only will it be different but they wont even be from the same country >:(
If i were in charge, it would be an automatic 100 Euro or £100 on the spot fine if your trailer number plate didnt match your tractor unit plate......with the potential of 100'000's of foreign lorries getting fined......might help the UK economy a tad :y
Actually quite legal for continentals .. :) look at foreign caravans .. same applies .... :
Simple reason is, ALL trailers are individually licensed and taxed .. so the trailer has its "own" registration plate :)
If the trailer and tractor are the same .. then they are illegal !!! :) :)
Nice try at revenue raising however :)
I wasnt aware that other european countries had licence plates for the tractor unit and the trailer....so thanks for that :y However in the UK its a requirement to display the registration plate of the towing vehicle on the trailer, therefore as far as i can see, they are breaking UK laws.
When entering the UK they should cover up the plate of the trailer with the number plate of the towing vehicle.....when they leave the UK they remove the plate .... simplies :) :)
And get an on the spot fine if they dont :)
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Thanks for the help guys I will have to look into the headlight adjustment then. I assume that halfords will have something for this, sounds like its best to stick them on anyway even if not required, just to pacify the local constabulary if nothing else. Do the local plod over there give us foreign drivers much trouble as a rule or is it only if your driving like a lunatic?
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Thanks for the help guys I will have to look into the headlight adjustment then. I assume that halfords will have something for this, sounds like its best to stick them on anyway even if not required, just to pacify the local constabulary if nothing else. Do the local plod over there give us foreign drivers much trouble as a rule or is it only if your driving like a lunatic?
You will be ok in Malta. The Highway Code, if it ever existed, is largely ignored! Well it always was! For instance driving on the left is optional; centre of the road is preferred!! ::) ::) ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D So, be careful and do not expect other motorists to do what they do in the UK! ;D ;D ;)
In France though the Police there are very strict I believe, and expect you to obey the laws with all the safety equipment already described always present. :y
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Well I wont be in any panic anyway and its only a transit van so I'll be sticking to the speed limits most of the time if not all the time. Was thinking of doing most of the driving at night but then there would be more to see during the day and the extra traffic would help keep me awake so I'm still undecided as yet. Probably get less hassle with the headlights during the day as well I guess.
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It seems to be a requirement that the number plate on the front has to be different to number plate on the rear!!
I kid you not!......i drive on the m4 4 hours a day at the moment....and you tend to notice things...
You pick on any foreign lorry and check its number plate on its trailer.....drive past and look at the plate on the front of the tractor unit.....99% of the time not only will it be different but they wont even be from the same country >:(
If i were in charge, it would be an automatic 100 Euro or £100 on the spot fine if your trailer number plate didnt match your tractor unit plate......with the potential of 100'000's of foreign lorries getting fined......might help the UK economy a tad :y
Actually quite legal for continentals .. :) look at foreign caravans .. same applies .... :
Simple reason is, ALL trailers are individually licensed and taxed .. so the trailer has its "own" registration plate :)
If the trailer and tractor are the same .. then they are illegal !!! :) :)
Nice try at revenue raising however :)
I wasnt aware that other european countries had licence plates for the tractor unit and the trailer....so thanks for that :y However in the UK its a requirement to display the registration plate of the towing vehicle on the trailer, therefore as far as i can see, they are breaking UK laws.
When entering the UK they should cover up the plate of the trailer with the number plate of the towing vehicle.....when they leave the UK they remove the plate .... simplies :) :)
And get an on the spot fine if they dont :)
Not quite as simple ... the requirements differ from country to country but as long as you obey your "country of registration" rules you are legal ... mostly ... for example .. in France a trailer MUST show "speed limits" on the rear .. those 50 60 70 ovals ... but it is not a UK requirement .. so when you take your van to France you don't need to fit them. In France a trailer MUST have an MOT (part of its own licence thingy) .. Your van doesn't need one so you are legal ... otherwise you'd need an MOT and a trailer registration every time you went to France ....
It is a highly complicated problem .. as those guys going to Spain have recently found ... Spain have passed a law on "long vehicle" plates that is enforceable for all vehicles, not just Spanish ones, and the local plod are having a field day with UK units .. :(
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Well I wont be in any panic anyway and its only a transit van so I'll be sticking to the speed limits most of the time if not all the time. Was thinking of doing most of the driving at night but then there would be more to see during the day and the extra traffic would help keep me awake so I'm still undecided as yet. Probably get less hassle with the headlights during the day as well I guess.
Continental roads are much, much easier to drive on and rarely get a jam except sometimes in rush hour :y
My normal rule (actually, I tend to use it in this country too) is to make sure I'm not the fastest vehicle on the road :y
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If the trailer and tractor are the same .. then they are illegal !!!
Illegal in the uk.
All lgv trailers must have an MOT, Uk or otherwise.
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Always fancied a "road trip" like this. Not sure I'd want to do it on my own though.
You can't drive through the night though Horsecow, missing all that scenery. ???
Anyway, good on ya fella for doing it, I hope your friends appreciate it. Enjoy your trip and when you can take a few pics for us lot. :y
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Always fancied a "road trip" like this. Not sure I'd want to do it on my own though.
You can't drive through the night though Horsecow, missing all that scenery. ???
Anyway, good on ya fella for doing it, I hope your friends appreciate it. Enjoy your trip and when you can take a few pics for us lot. :y
That's the main reason I agreed to do it, I've always wanted to do it myself. I probably will drive mostly during the day, as you say there's just too much scenery to miss out on. I'd like to take my time coming back but my sister is getting married a few days after they're scheduling it for so that's the only thing that will be hurrying me. I'm trying to get them to bring it forward a little but they already have the flights booked.
I like that rule Lazydocker, I suppose I sort of stick to that myself. As I said I don't intend to be in any hurry but somehow I always find that I'm racing for a ferry no matter how much time I've left myself and it looks like there's 3 ferries each way on this trip!!
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A thought occured to me this morning (it's okay, I was sitting down at the time ;D)...
Commercial vehicles are forbidden to travel on Sundays in alot of Europe.
Don't know if that is any vehicle over a certain weight or ALL commercial vehicles :-\ the only exception is, I believe, livestock carriers :-\
Best double check to save hassle and time the ferries to suit :y
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A thought occured to me this morning (it's okay, I was sitting down at the time ;D)...
Commercial vehicles are forbidden to travel on Sundays in alot of Europe.
Don't know if that is any vehicle over a certain weight or ALL commercial vehicles :-\ the only exception is, I believe, livestock carriers :-\
Best double check to save hassle and time the ferries to suit :y
Exceptions for post, livestock and private use ;)
But, AFAIK, it only applies to vehicles over 3.5T :-\
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A thought occured to me this morning (it's okay, I was sitting down at the time ;D)...
Commercial vehicles are forbidden to travel on Sundays in alot of Europe.
Don't know if that is any vehicle over a certain weight or ALL commercial vehicles :-\ the only exception is, I believe, livestock carriers :-\
Best double check to save hassle and time the ferries to suit :y
Exceptions for post, livestock and private use ;)
But, AFAIK, it only applies to vehicles over 3.5T :-\
That's correct and I think there are other exceptions for the big trucks, such as if you are within 100kms of a ferry port and have a booking you are allowed to drive to catch your ferry. :)