Safe Speed Forums

My EU driving experience is this, for what it's worth.

I've driven hundreds of thousands of km in France, Germany, Benelux, Italy, Austria and a bit less in other jurisdictions. I never carried spare bulbs, never carried a warning triangle or fire extinguisher, or a first aid kit. Was stopped a few times over the years for minor infringements, and no local traf-pol ever bothered about the absence of these items, or even seemed to care.

One thing you must have in Germany, though: the vehicle's ORIGINAL V5 (or whatever the new 4-page one is called now). Stopped for any reason without this, and you are usually in big trouble. In Duesseldorf I actually had my car impounded because I was unable to produce it, and had to have the original V5 air-couriered out from UK to get the car released. Never made that mistake again. Don't know if things have moved on at all, but there is very little flexibility in the rules: if you can't physically produce the docs, the car stays in the pound until you can. No arguments. No negotiation. That's it.

Three months later (I was living there and using my UK car) it was impounded again!!! This time for a parking infringement, where the restrictions started at 07.00. By 07.20, the car was gone.

However, apart from the inconvenience recovery was straightforward this time, as the V5 was there. As long as the paperwork is there, you're OK. But in all this, the Polizei were not concerned about the absence of a first-aid kit, spare bulbs et al. It was never an issue. So my advice is, don't be too worried about it.

But make sure you have your V5, licence & ins. cert. Especially the V5.

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'The normally careful and competent actions of a reasonable person should be considered legal, regardless of the letter of statute'

Rioman, Herts

Of course one has to bear in mind that as a Highway Technician, one is likely to be viewed as "one of the enemy" responsible for roadworks, traffic calming, and the M25, and as such considered by some to be fair game!
Just think if he were a scamera operative, his safety would be a concern even when he left to go home!

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Time to take responsibility for our actions.. and don't be afraid of speaking out!

Ernest, I hadn't considered the 'enemy from within' issue before.

I'm sure my brother would accept responsibility for most of these motoring hindrances, but I think that to blame "the M25" in general on him maybe a little unfair