- does it need to "fit" my car? i'm asking because i have xenon headlights and the bulb don't come cheap. and, even if i carry around a spare, the voltages involved would probably make me think twice about replacing myself. my plan is to buy the cheapest bulb i could find and show this when inspected.
- do i need spare for the tail/signal lights too? or, spare for the headlight will suffice?
Well, I’ve never bothered with the spare lights kit since way back in the 70s when I first drove to France. I think these days with things like Xenons the French are more flexible (I hope) as normally you’d need to get them changed by a garage anyway. It’s physically impossible for us to get at our Qashqai headlights to change them ourselves.
Really it’s up to you whether you bother or not. I’ve never heard of anyone being stopped and fined for not having spare bulbs.
Does anyone really carry them any more?
But if you are the planning type - just google it. Tons of maps online.
But the cars are 20-30+ years old and changing a bulb is child's play, even I can do it!
According to this source they are only recommended
http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affich...Texte=20150304
PS: The British AA is with me.
It is very possible that this was something obligatory in the 70ties, and other countries are quoting an outdated Code de la route (or smthg similar)
Only spare tire, first aid kit (even a tiny one) , the fluo gilet -triangle, are the objects that police might ask you if you possess them.
the alcohol tests were voted but that law was never applied as there was a debate and they've decided to withdraw it.
It was one of the things the police pointed out to my husband ( but fortunately didn't fine him for) when they were giving our car the once over as part of an investigation. ( long story)
I believe they became recommended rather than obligatory quite a while ago now. For the majority of modern cars it really isn't necessary any more. I can see the logic of carrying them if you have an older car though.
In France you need one fluo jacket per passenger and not only the driver and it must be inside the car and not in the boot.
Just to reiterate what I've said before, in all the times I've been stopped by police (perhaps six or seven over 15 years) I have _never_ been asked if I was carrying any of the "required" items. So yeah, if I were just popping over for a day trip I wouldn't worry about it at all.