Did you know that it is mandatory to have certain equipment in the car? And do you check your car regularly , especially before going on vacation with it?

The car is the means of transport  used on a daily basis and it is also widely used for summer holidays. However, when we pack our bags, we think about everything we want to take with us and we forget what we need to buying my first car

Your papers: driving license, registration document, insurance and technical inspection certificates

Police, your papers! Uh darling, were you the one who took the license? And the registration document?

To ensure that this situation does not happen to you, it is better to always have up-to-date technical inspection and insurance stickers in your wallet and vehicle registration certificate on your windshield .

And I’m talking about the originals  ! No photocopies.

Photocopies of vehicle documents are  only permitted for rental cars . In your car, you must present the original for both your license and your registration document.

Regarding insurance , it is better to be able to prove that you have one, at least a third of it , and that you are up to date because if you cannot prove that you are covered , you can be punished with a fine of €375 and additional penalties (L.211-1 Insurance Code and L.324-2 of the Highway Code)*, it spoils the day somewhat…

A warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest

The vest must have the “European Community CE” marking and the triangle the “E 27 R” marking.

Be careful, you risk a fine of up to €750* if you don’t have them with you. In general, this is a fixed fine of €135*.

Essential items for your safety

Replacement bulbs

Having one headlight missing because a bulb is burnt out can jeopardize your safety and that of the people you are driving.

Did you also know that driving with a faulty bulb is punishable by a fine of up to  €450 *? In general, this is a fixed fine of €68* except that your car can be immobilized … This would be a shame if you are on the way to your vacation spot…

It’s better to have spare bulbs  ! Afterwards, you still need to know that a bulb is burnt out because you don’t necessarily notice it when you are in the car. The best thing, when you have to hit the road, is to take your car for a spin with the engine running .

A breathalyzer

Sometimes you think you have drunk little and can drive without problems when the breathalyzer  would tell you the opposite! If you do not have a car equipped with an alcohol ignition interlock device (EAD), it is always better to have a backup breathalyzer in your car. It can be chemical or electronic, it doesn’t matter. However, it must be marked with the NF standard.

An amicable observation

Your insurance company must have given you a copy of the amicable report . It is not obligatory to have one in the car nor to fill one in the event of an accident but it is strongly recommended. In fact, this document speeds up the processing of your compensation file because it contains all the information necessary for compensation: circumstances of the accident, responsibilities of each driver, apparent damage , contact details of the drivers and their insurer.

For it to be complete , you and the other driver must sign the report part (front), if possible at the scene of the accident. The declaration part (back of the form) must be completed individually.

You then have 5 working days from the accident to send the report to your insurer. It serves as an accident report. For more information, I let you consult the website of the FFA, French Insurance Federation

The car’s user manual

It’s when a light that we don’t recognize comes on that we think that the time when we passed our highway code is long gone… and there are some lights that it’s better not to ignore  !

A spare wheel, a jack and a crank

It is always safer to have a spare wheel and the equipment to install it in your car. That being said, it’s also better to know how to change a wheel if you have a puncture haha! The driving instructor explained the theory to me before I took my license, in case I was asked the question during the test. I’ve never had a flat tire and I passed my driving test… 13 years ago, oh that hurts to count! In short, I would probably feel like a chicken who found a knife.

Failing to change the wheel, having a puncture spray that can plug a leak will give you enough time to drive to the next mechanic.

In any case, pay attention to tire wear and tire pressure . Driving with tires in poor condition or under inflated is prohibited. In the event of an inspection, you risk a fine of up to €750*. In general, this is a fixed fine of €135* but again, your car can be immobilized…

And then, regularly checking tire pressure allows you to save fuel , extend the life of your tires and, above all, avoid accidents . But I reassure you, if you very rarely think about your tire pressure, you are not the only one (or not in fact, I am not reassuring you at all, it is rather the reverse !). In France we are very bad at this.a