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Driving in France- Bit of advice please.

 
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pete1336
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Joined: Jul 22, 2006
Posts: 274
Location: North Wales

PostPosted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:41 pm    Post subject: Driving in France- Bit of advice please. Reply with quote

Hi all,
This summer I'm hoping to go on a driving holiday to France. I have one query with regards to toll roads. I know they exist and I know the prices, what I don't know is this:
If I join a toll road for only a short distance, i.e. tomtom routes me onto it for a short while only, will I still face the toll charge?
Hope that makes sense?
Thanks
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missing_user



Joined: Aug 30, 2008
Posts: -7

PostPosted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In certain places the peage gives you a ticket and you pay at the next peage or when you leave.

In other places there is a smaller charge as you go through the peage [ around Cities i.e. Reims].

You sometimes drive for 3 hours [Autoroute] Calais to Reims and pay when you hand in your ticket.

Beware the ticket indicates your time/speed between two points so you will be 'caught' for speeding at the peage as well as for the toll!

So in answer to your question if the GPS takes you on a Toll road by mistake, it could cost you a lot!

Going into Switzerland costs you a road fund licence for car and caravan but few tolls.
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alistairm1
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Joined: Mar 30, 2005
Posts: 104

PostPosted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,
You will be charged for using the French toll roads, but you are only charged for the distance travelled, not a flat rate as with the M6 toll in the UK.

Last year I travelled around France and never paid more than €11.

There is a web site run by the toll road "owners" which will give you the cost of your journey.
http://www.autoroutes.fr/ There is an english version which can be selected from one of the tabs. This will calculate the toll for your journey

The viaMichelin web site will also tell you when you plan a route how much the toll charges will be.

Have a nice trip!!
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Darren
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Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40
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Location: Hampshire, UK

PostPosted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wouldn't worry, the tolls are very reasonable and if you need to cover the miles quickly then there is no better way to get across the country.

If you enter a tolled section then you will be charged for the section you transit but this could be a couple of Euros if its just a short stretch. Most nav devices will warn if you have a route planned that involves a toll and they are well signed anyway so it's unlikely you would enter one unknowingly.

btw, the M6 Toll isn't flat rate per se, there is a full charge and a second lower charge if you exit early. There are exit tolls on all the junctions of the toll road and so the toll is less if you're not travelling the full length of the chargeable section.
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pete1336
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Joined: Jul 22, 2006
Posts: 274
Location: North Wales

PostPosted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks all
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999tommo
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Joined: Feb 07, 2006
Posts: 616
Location: Midlothian

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used to plan my routes which avoided using the tolls roads (because I'm a skinflint Scotsman of course) but this generally means driving through busy towns or cities. It's cheaper but takes forever, especially if you are driving from Calais to The Dordogne or further south.

As an experiment on one holiday, I thought "sod the expense" and took toll roads for the majority of my journey south. The cost was well worth it for the pleasure of driving on roads in very good order with very few vehicles (compared to non-toll roads) and the amount of time and boredom saved outweighed the cost.

I now use toll roads on all my French holidays.
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mostdom
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Joined: Jul 10, 2006
Posts: 1964
Location: Surrey, UK.

PostPosted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Note that some GPS devices will route around toll roads. If you were worried about accidentally joining a toll road then set it to avoid.
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lancashirelad
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Joined: Dec 08, 2007
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:18 am    Post subject: bonne route Reply with quote

I lived in France for 5 years and loved the toll roads, quick, less busy, very well maintained and good value for a smooth ride. There are usually A roads that run nearby, that locals or those avoiding the tolls use on a daily basis. Good advice on the time and distance on your ticket, the Gendarme will be more than happy to fine you on the spot if you have made your journey at lightning speed. The Gendarme are usually parked near the rest stop or air station. Make sure you have a warning triangle, bulb kit and reflective jacket in your boot, it is the law to carry them in France. Bonne route.
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mostdom
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:25 am    Post subject: Re: bonne route Reply with quote

lancashirelad wrote:
...Make sure you have a warning triangle, bulb kit and reflective jacket in your boot, it is the law to carry them in France. Bonne route.


...and snow chains if you are anywhere near switzerland and the alps.
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Dom

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pete1336
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Joined: Jul 22, 2006
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've actually checked and as far as I can fathom, it is not a lawful requirement to have a warning triangle and a reflective jacket. Advisory yes, lawful no.
This is supported by data available on the AA site as well as me seeing it elsewhere.
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mostdom
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I got this from the AA site. I believed that a warning triangle was compulsary but by this notice is would seem to be an either/or option. Honestly I would rather have one than have to argue with a stroppy french copper.

The AA wrote:
Special features: Warning triangle or hazard warning lights compulsory (recommended that a warning triangle always be carried).
It is recommended that visitors equip their vehicle with a set of replacement bulbs.
Snow chains must be fitted to vehicles using snow-covered roads in compliance with the relevant road sign.
In built-up areas give way to traffic coming from the right “priorité a droite”. At signed roundabouts bearing the words "Vous n'avez pas la priorité" or "Cédez le passage" traffic on the roundabout has priority; where no such sign exists traffic entering the roundabout has priority. In built up areas the use of the horn is prohibited except in cases of immediate danger.
It is recommended to wear a reflective jacket when exiting a vehicle which is stopped on the carriageway or on the side of a road outside a built up area.
It is absolutely prohibited to carry, transport or use radar detectors. Failure to comply with this regulation involves a fine of up to 1500 Euros and the vehicle may be confiscated.

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999tommo
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Joined: Feb 07, 2006
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

In answer to your warning triangle question.... I found this on a French Government site, where FAQs are listed...

Le triangle de présignalisation est-il obligatoire dans un véhicule ?

Le triangle de présignalisation permet de signaler la présence d'un véhicule qui constitue un danger pour la circulation. Pour les véhicules de moins de 3,5 tonnes de poids total autorisé en charge, il faut :

soit installer un triangle,
soit allumer les feux de détresse,
soit utiliser l'ensemble des deux dispositifs.
Pour les poids lourds, c'est-à-dire les véhicules de plus de 3,5 tonnes de poids total autorisé en charge, le triangle est obligatoire.

Which when translated using Google Translator, reads......

The advance-warning triangle shall it be mandatory in a vehicle?

The advance-warning triangle identifies the presence of a vehicle that constitutes a danger to traffic. For vehicles less than 3.5 tonnes of permissible laden weight, you should:

Either use a triangle,
Or, turn on the hazard lights,
Or, use both devices.
For heavy vehicles, ie vehicles over 3.5 tonnes of permissible laden weight, the triangle is required.

So I would say from that, that unless your vehicle weighs more than 3.5 tonnes Maximum Gross Weight (if towing a caravan, that would include the caravan weight) then you don't have to carry a triangle, although it is good practice to have one. I have carried one in my car for the last 15 years or so. Luckily I have never had to use it.
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