French law on blind spot warning signs
Hi, on reading an article on traveling in France, a caravan magazine advises that caravans with a total weight of car and caravan over 3,500kg should have the blind spot warnings on the side and rear of the caravan, I was aware of this applying to motorhomes but not including caravans, is anyone else aware of this ruling.
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Hi,
Suitably worried that we may be contravening yet more of the newer rules, regs and old folklore myths etc have had a bit of a read and Google up etc.
Await correction but from what I’ve read …
it seems the sticker requirement is as you said for all vehicles over 3.5T inc Motorhomes etc that require the Angles Mort stickers in very specific positions.
Not required though if your tow car is under 3.5T.
May update this info after passage towing north through France in 9 days time.
Await other views and no doubt Rowena & co at CMC may comment …. ?M
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Found this Blog which might be interesting https://www.wandering-bird.com/france-blind-spot-warning-stickers-motorhomes/ Unfortunately you have to wade through a lot of adverts but there is a lot of useful information.
David
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In September we saw plenty on MH’s, even some certainly less than 3.5 tonnes. However didn’t notice any on caravans. That of course should in no way be taken as they don’t need them, on that I have no idea. I just checked before going that our MH was OK without. Doesn’t stop them trying to sell them to you on the ferry though.
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"All vehicles over 3.5t"
Is that because most EU countries look upon a caravan as a seperate vehicle and is termed as that? meaning there will be two vehicles in that towing situation whereas the UK does not deem a caravan a vehicle.
So it should be read as IF the tow car is over 3.5t and/or the caravan is over 3.5t! My reading is not needed, but could be wrong
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A thorny subject.
Look at the plate in your car or motorhome. If the PTAC (poids total autorisé en charge), which maybe called max train weight, or similar is less than 3500 KG, then forget it, come to France in total serenity. (But don't over load it, 135 euro fine and possible impounding of vehicle if caught).
Cars and caravans are separate vehicles. Very much so in France, with their own registration.
If you have a motorhome and the PTAC is equal or more than 3500, then you will need angles morts stickers, placed within the limits prescribed by the regs. Even if you don't load it to there. See below.
If your car has a limit of 3500 or more, not many cars, but 4x4 may have this, mine is 5200, then don't worry about angles morts. But see below.
Check your driving license. Categories are harmonised. If you have a cat BE, or better Cxxx or Dxxx then fine. You are OK. You can drive up to 4200KG, and up to 7000KG if towing, as long as the vehicle PTAC spec permits this. This is most UK licenses. Don't tow a heavier trailer than your car though. In my case, Licence is BE, car has PTAC of 5200 and weight about 2000 on its own. So I can tow a trailer up to 2000 KG, which will be over the 3500 limit and inside the 7000 limit
Some licenses may be cat B, especially newer ones. This will only allow up to 3500 KG, or up to 4250 towing. In addition, the trailer PTAC can only be up to 750 KG in any case on a B licence.
Because of the separate vehicles bit, unless you tow a caravan over 3500 KG, you won't need angles morts. That would be difficult to do because the car would have to be at least that weight, capable of towing it, and you would be over the 7000 KG total anyway. (and the car would have to have angle morts anyway). However, watch out if towing with a big van. Even towing with a motorhome, the caravan would not need them. But again, watch out if using a fifth wheeler.
So there.
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PTAC is the gross vehicle weight, not the gross train weight.
Gross train weight is PTRA (Poids Total Roulant Autorisé)
The UK never issued any licences allowing a gross train weight of 4250kg with a trailer exceeding 750kg. This would be a B94 licence, but that was never offered in the UK and it's irrelevant now anyway since BE entitlement is added automatically to UK Category B licences.
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Hi, I read this article on nearside warning signs in this months Camping and caravan magazine and have e mailed the club to confirm the details, I will advise on recipt of a reply, thank you all for your replies.
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