LED Lights in France

k9sam
k9sam Forum Participant Posts: 76
edited June 2018 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Bonjour!!  Over the past 20+ years we have towed our caravan into France and always carried a spare set of bulbs for car and caravan as required by their law.   However as our new car has LED light units I am not sure of the law in respect to carrying spares.  As you may be aware you cannot change the individual LED's, only a complete replacement of the light unit (on my car anyway) is the only option. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Comments

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,866 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #2

    I can't offer any advice but surely this issue applies as much to French drivers as UK ones? 

    David

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #3

    Is that really the case?  It sounds totally rediculous to me!

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #4

    We stopped carrying spare bulbs a few years ago as it is totally impractical. I think the French law  just hasn't caught up with changes in technology yet. Not heard of it as being a problem from anyone.

  • NevChap
    NevChap Forum Participant Posts: 180
    100 Comments
    edited June 2018 #5

    Hi k8sam. We have done exactly as you have but now also have car (and caravan) LED lights so won't bother. Have you ever been stopped or asked for proof you are carrying your spare bulbs? Thought not! Enjoy your trips and don't worry. 

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #6

    Having lived in France and toured there for many years never been stopped to check if I had spare bulbs.  Judging by the number of French cars that have faulty bulbs wouldn't worry about it!  But I do carry some spare bulbs, not LED, anyway just in case I need to change one.

  • k9sam
    k9sam Forum Participant Posts: 76
    edited June 2018 #7

     Thanks for your comments.  Most were very helpful.  On another forum I was informed that the AA advice is that carrying bulbs is not a law but a recommendation. 

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #8

    Still carry a spare bulb kit, which would work for some of the bulbs. However some are LED and the headlights expensive Xenon, so no replacements for them. I very much doubt it is likely to become an issue. Not in France anyway. 

    Look at the breathalyser law, that rapidly got put on the "we will look at in the future pile" when the French motorists revolted. I am sure if they tried it with LED lighting it would end the same way.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited June 2018 #9

    As far as I know,  you're only expected to change those bulbs that can be changed without use of tools. That discounts loads of bulbs where on some cars half the front needs dismantling to change a head light bulb ..... & that's just for normal filament bulbs.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited June 2018 #10
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  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited June 2018 #11
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  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited June 2018 #12

    My "spare bulb kit" - poly bag with assortment has depleted over the years so I topped up with a kit from there local Peugeot dealers before coming away. I dare say it will collect cobwebs in its stowage.

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