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France on 'L' plates. France on 'L' plates.
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Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
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  #1  
Old 1 Jan 2008
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France on 'L' plates.
Hello, first time poster here.

I am hoping to ride to France on my Cub 90 this year, the problem is however that I don't hold a full license, only a CBT.

What would the license situation be with riding my 1994-registered Cub in France?

I have a full car license, would that cover me for the bike over there? I'm assuming my CBT is not valid in France.
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  #2  
Old 1 Jan 2008
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Hi Rowan,

as far as I'm aware the UK Provisional licence isn't recognised outside of the UK, therefore you need to get your test passed!
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  #3  
Old 1 Jan 2008
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Hi, thanks for your reply.

So a full car license wouldn't cover me to ride a 90 out there, either?
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  #4  
Old 1 Jan 2008
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Hi,
Try this thread for a few more ideas, especially about insurance for instance:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...t=plate+france
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  #5  
Old 1 Jan 2008
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I don't know what a Cub 90 is but if it 90cc it might be exempt from driving licences requirements in France.

All over the place you see kids (and I mean kids - not into shaving yet) riding mopeds, scooters etc without registration plates, helmets or a care in the World.

They ride them on roads, pavements, sea fronts and pedestrianised town centres but I have never seen one stopped by Police so it could be such vehicles are exempt from all legal requirements.

What's wrong with getting a full licence? It just takes away a number of problems, restrictions and reduces insurance costs.
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  #6  
Old 1 Jan 2008
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Hi,

I am getting my full license around Summer next year, however I want to make the trip sometime in Spring, and having done the journey by van before I feel reasonably happy with riding it on my bike (and also feel that my Cub is the right machine to do it, being a Honda and the most popular motorcycle ever sold!)


I think my only hope is that my car license may cover me - I've emailed the French Embassy to ask them what the situation is, but I've had no reply as of yet.
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Old 1 Jan 2008
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A further thought that might work.

Using your Car Licence get an International Driving Permit from the AA, RAC, Green Flag or similar organisations - costs about GBP5.

They seem to stamp it for all vehicle catagories of licences without looking too closely at your UK one, other than for Name and Address.

For more details Google 'International Driving Permit'

Another advantage of an IDP is it has no serial number, etc for local Police to follow up on.
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  #8  
Old 1 Jan 2008
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hate to pee on your bonfire...BUT
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
A further thought that might work.

Using your Car Licence get an International Driving Permit from the AA, RAC, Green Flag or similar organisations - costs about GBP5.

They seem to stamp it for all vehicle catagories of licences without looking too closely at your UK one, other than for Name and Address.

For more details Google 'International Driving Permit'

Another advantage of an IDP is it has no serial number, etc for local Police to follow up on.
just looked on google, an the AA website and here is what it says

International Driving Permit

About IDPs
An International Driving Permit (IDP) allows you to drive a private motor vehicle overseas when accompanied by a valid UK driving licence. IDPs are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Most countries require a 1949 Convention IDP but for certain countries, a 1926 Convention IDP is necessary.
Both 1949 and 1926 Convention IDPs can be issued to people aged 18 and over who hold a valid full UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) driving licence, or can obtain such licences on the basis of pass certificates (within the last two years). IDPs cannot be issued to holders of UK provisional licences without the pass certificates.




Looks like you NEED the pass certificates...... Sorry

It may be easier just to take your test, or do Direct Access and buy a Bike............






Martyn
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Old 1 Jan 2008
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It would be worth asking your question on French Living and Property - for sale rent renovation at Total France as it's an Anglo / French website and you should get an answer.
You'll need to register before you ask but that's pretty simple.
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Old 1 Jan 2008
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Martyn
I appreciate this is what is written.

However if Rowan is prepared to 'bend' his interpretations to achieve his aim (as it seems) this could help. (Usual disclaimer!)

Incidentally I was stopped some 35-40 times by Roads Police while crossing Russia this year ('oops last year). They never wanted to see my UK licence but were happy with the IDP - because one page was in Russian. They just read that, looked at the photo and name and sometimes compared them to other documentation I was carrying for the bike and myself.

The further from home the less Police know what they are looking at - and the more justified I feel in 'bending' things to ensure and protect myself and my journey. But that's me!
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  #11  
Old 1 Jan 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
The further from home the less Police know what they are looking at - and the more justified I feel in 'bending' things to ensure and protect myself and my journey. But that's me!
There goes a wise man.
Did the same with the ICMV. I live in France with a French reg bike. Copied may mates UK ICMV and added my own details. Worked a charm

John
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Old 2 Jan 2008
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seeing as you put it that way......
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
Martyn
I appreciate this is what is written.

However if Rowan is prepared to 'bend' his interpretations to achieve his aim (as it seems) this could help. (Usual disclaimer!)

Incidentally I was stopped some 35-40 times by Roads Police while crossing Russia this year ('oops last year). They never wanted to see my UK licence but were happy with the IDP - because one page was in Russian. They just read that, looked at the photo and name and sometimes compared them to other documentation I was carrying for the bike and myself.

The further from home the less Police know what they are looking at - and the more justified I feel in 'bending' things to ensure and protect myself and my journey. But that's me!
Oh, well, seeing as you put it like that..... best of British n all that!
But Russia is a tad further away than France..... and the French Police (some of em at least) Just like some of the Spanish Guardia Civil..can speak n read English, But they don't let you know that straight away! They let you dig yourself into a hole first. then


But if your happy, go for it.

Martyn
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  #13  
Old 2 Jan 2008
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Hello Rowan,

Two points that may be worth following up on:

1. Before we travelled Europe, I checked out the UK’s AA’s web site and found a heap of PDF documents describing the driving rules for various European countries (European Driving : AA touring tips. Local rules and advice for European countries - The AA).

For FRANCE: Driving licence: Minimum age at which a UK licence holders may drive temporarily imported car 18, motorcycle (up to 80cc) 16, motorcycle (over 80cc) 18.

2. When we were in The Cahours area of southern France for a couple of weeks, we spent a bit of time with a couple of expat Brits who live there now. They run an enduro motorcycle hire business and one was saying that in France there is some old law that prevents people from having their “mobility” completely removed. He cited the case of a multiple drink driver who ended up resorting to a very small motorised buggy that they guy could still legally drive/ride, even though he was prevented from ever again driving legally a “normal” vehicle. I can’t be sure of the details, but apparently very small capacity machines of many variations are allowed. Now this may only be for French citizens but worth a check?
Cheers
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  #14  
Old 2 Jan 2008
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Originally Posted by John-DownUnder View Post
Hello Rowan,


For FRANCE: Driving licence: Minimum age at which a UK licence holders may drive temporarily imported car 18, motorcycle (up to 80cc) 16, motorcycle (over 80cc) 18.

2. When we were in The Cahours area of southern France for a couple of weeks, we spent a bit of time with a couple of expat Brits who live there now. They run an enduro motorcycle hire business and one was saying that in France there is some old law that prevents people from having their “mobility” completely removed. He cited the case of a multiple drink driver who ended up resorting to a very small motorised buggy that they guy could still legally drive/ride, even though he was prevented from ever again driving legally a “normal” vehicle. I can’t be sure of the details, but apparently very small capacity machines of many variations are allowed. Now this may only be for French citizens but worth a check?
Cheers

That would explain the scooters described earlier that I have also noticed while travelling in France - no obvious means of identifying the bikes via a licence plate, all riders have no helmet, ride everywhere on any surface available and most of them appear to be 50cc two strokers.
(I wonder if they need to have insurance?)

So, that's the way to go Rowan: 50cc 2 stroke and ride the back roads!!

Cheers,
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  #15  
Old 2 Jan 2008
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Sin Carnet
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Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
That would explain the scooters described earlier that I have also noticed while travelling in France - no obvious means of identifying the bikes via a licence plate, all riders have no helmet, ride everywhere on any surface available and most of them appear to be 50cc two strokers.
(I wonder if they need to have insurance?)

So, that's the way to go Rowan: 50cc 2 stroke and ride the back roads!!

Cheers,
They have much the same here in Spain but with cars too made mostly be AIXAM (Google em..) 400cc 30mph max....
Sin Carnet means...no licence required...but of course....... an obligitary Insurance is..

Martyn
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