Calais to Breda

[Bavarianbrit]

Hm I spent 3 months working near Venray for a car sunroof company and did not know about it, shame.

 

[Len the dog]

Window shopping in Amsterdam?

 

[willie_gunn]

What difference does it mean, realistically ?

If you're flying it will mean little difference. If you're driving you will be at the mercy of the French border guards, so it's basically a lottery.

Unfortunately the EU has yet again delayed ETIAS/EES, despite their former assurances that it was going to be ready in November this year. Now they are saying ETIAS/EES might be launched in mid-2025 with a six-month transitional period (when you can apply, but won't be refused entry if you don't have one), but given their woeful track record - it was originally scheduled for implementation in 2020 - there is a high likelihood it will be pushed back again. Coming this way, the UK has been letting EU nationals use the auto-gates for ages.

I travel to somewhere in Europe most weeks (Spain, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Sweden - off to the Netherlands again this Thursday) and outside of the typical tardiness in some countries it's sometimes hard to notice any difference between the two queues. Sometimes the non-EU queue is even shorter and quicker, but I've resisted the urge to take a photo and post it on X/Twitter to wind up Alastair Campbell

In most of the countries I travel to outside of the EU they let UK/EU passport holders use the auto-gates - Singapore and Dubai are obvious examples - but for some reason the EU is struggling to get either the technology or the process itself working.

 

[enfieldspares]

In most of the countries I travel to outside of the EU they let UK/EU passport holders use the auto-gates - Singapore and Dubai are obvious examples - but for some reason the EU is struggling to get either the technology or the process itself working.

Alas in the EU on the Eurostar I found that at St Pancras and Gare du Nord as "Brits" we have to use the auto-gates rather than the French man or woman from their PAF (Police aux Frontieres) in a glass box. And, alas, the auto-gates take three times as long. Especially if you are behind someone who is having difficulty with their passport or the automatic camera. The man or woman in the glass box for EU passports you walk up, they look at the passport, look at you, smile, give ot back and done.

 

[chriswjx]

Other thing to note, I believe the French have some requirements of what you have to have in your car?

Single use breathalyser kit and a hi vis vest seem to ring bells?

 

[chriswjx]

Just spoke to my missus, it's a hi vis jacket per passenger.

 

[opticron1]

When you're there don't forget to try the Bitterballen with mustard.....lovely stuff! Some of the Dutch food is a bit samey, lots of ham and cheese....or cheese and ham....but some of it is really good!
Where you're going is about 20 miles or so from Kamp Vught - not a particularly cheery place, but a bit of a reminder of how inhumane our race can be!

Sounds like you'll have a good time though!

 

[enfieldspares]

Just spoke to my missus, it's a hi vis jacket per passenger.

And MUST BE IN REACH OF THAT PERSON so not in the boot! And have an "EC" mark apparently. The Hi-Vis can be bought for only a few pounds from any UK safety workwear outlet. So don't pay the rip off prices at the ferry or shuttle terminals. Used hi-vis also often in charity shops or, in warmer months, at car boot sales. It doesn't matter AFAIR if they have a logo on the back. But others may advise up to date rules.

Oh..and this for some cities such as Roeun or Paris...but not presently any in the Pas de Calais....it's only a few pounds, lasts for as long as the vehicle lasts, and is a useful reminder in fact of which side of the vehicle must be alongside the kerb when driving. I got mine on under two weeks and there is an immediate paper print out one as soon as you've done the application anyway. You just need a colour printer.

Click the link and select EN from the top right corner for English language.

Le site officiel de la vignette Crit'Air (certificat qualité de l'air) - Ministère de la Transition écologique

Le seul site officiel à délivrer la vignette Crit'Air (certificat qualité de l'air), établie en fonction des émissions polluantes du véhicule.

www.certificat-air.gouv.fr

 

[chriswjx]

And buy it before you get to France!!

 

[enfieldspares]

Driving in France for new drivers and first-time travellers

If you are a new driver or are driving in France for the first time, our guide gives you all the information you need to safely enjoy your travels.

www.leshuttle.com

 

[Tazz]

Well I've gone & got myself a passport!!

Taking family to a theme park in the Netherlands, just outside Breda.

Can anyone more travelled than myself (so that's everyone) suggest any nice sights or stop offs on our wee road trip?

On a logistical note, I got an Irish passport so EU but the rest of us have British, will that put us in different processes??

Thank you in advance

Yes basic process difference will be

A) With your EU passport you will waft through all queues effortlessly serviced by likeminded individuals trying to enhance your customer experience
B) The rest of the family holding U.K. passports will stand in endless queues while people who don’t give a sh/t do their best to find something wrong

PS, I will get over it, just a matter of time

 

[enfieldspares]

Ha! Once upon a time I was in Chinon and was taking a coffee with my driver at the small cafe opposite parking places across from the small independent garage as you come in to the place from Tours. I can hear this American gentleman having a discussion with one of the attendants on the forecourt of the garage as to why his hire car in the car park across the road won't start. So my driver and I walk over and ask if he needs help. As this gentleman doesn't speak French and the garage person in the shop doesn't speak English.

The American explains that he has filled his petrol car "with gas" some miles back at an self service station from a marked "gas" or actually gazole but it's all the same he says...just like in the USA "gas"...and it now won't start. So I have the task of explaining to him that gazoil is diesel. Which, as I said in French to the attendant, you'd have thought he'd have known, what with him being American and then, 2003, just having invaded Iraq. So we walk over to the car and get it across the road to this garage, I then went back to my coffee after advising him to call the (English speaking) contact number on his hire contract documents.

So gazole (usually a yellow coloured hose or nozzle) = diesel. Essence (or more often "SP" an abbreviation of "sans plomb" which means unleaded) = petrol.

 

[Stevie/P]

Yes basic process difference will be

A) With your EU passport you will waft through all queues effortlessly serviced by likeminded individuals trying to enhance your customer experience
B) The rest of the family holding U.K. passports will stand in endless queues while people who don’t give a sh/t do their best to find something wrong

PS, I will get over it, just a matter of time

Or C) and stay home and don’t give them the satisfaction of spoiling your day
Simple really

 

[BenBhoy]

Or C) and stay home and don’t give them the satisfaction of spoiling your day
Simple really

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Other thing to note, I believe the French have some requirements of what you have to have in your car?

Single use breathalyser kit and a hi vis vest seem to ring bells?

A warning triangle is mandatory in France, It is no longer compulsory to carry a breathalyser kit when driving in France, you will also need a UK sticker on the back of the car to legally drive in Europe not the older GB sticker your number plate can also incorporate the UK identifier with the Union flag.
First aid box is mandatory here in Germany but not it seems in Holland.

Staying Safe and Avoiding Fines: Required Equipment for Driving in Netherland - vGroup International

Stay compliant and prepared when driving in Netherland with essential equipment like reflective vests, warning triangles, and more.

vgroupinternational.com

• UK sticker – It is mandatory that if your vehicle doesn’t bear EU number plates, you’ll need a UK sticker to indicate it’s registered in the UK. Alternatively, if your car has UK number plates, a UK sticker isn’t necessary.
• Headlamp convertors – If you are driving a UK-registered vehicle in Netherlands, you will need to adjust your headlights for driving on the right-hand side of the road. This can be done using headlamp beam deflectors, which should be affixed to your headlights before driving in Netherland. Alternatively, you can adjust the beam manually.
• First aid kit – A first aid kit is not mandatory in Netherlands, but it is recommended. It is always sensible to carry a basic first aid kit in case of an emergency.
• Emergency bulb kit – A bulb kit is not compulsory, but it is recommended to have one. If you are caught by the police with a faulty headlight, you might get fined.

 

[opticron1]

Oh yes.....almost forgot.....don't forget the speed limit on the Motorways in the Netherlands is 100Kmh/hr during the day time (faster at night). The traffic cops can been quite observant as you pass the border ........ Mind you, you'll be the slowest driver on the road as everyone else seems to ignore the limits!
Don't worry about fuel in the Netherlands - it's more expensive than anywhere else, fill up in the UK and you'll be fine until you get back. That's when you realise it's a small country.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Their motorway cops used to have convertible Porsche 911s with both cops wearing motorcycle police crash helmets, quite a sight.

 

[BenBhoy]

Evening all...

Seems I've dropped bit of a bollock (what's new eh?) and am missing a form we apparently need to drive in Europe - basically a V5 but for a hire vehicle (my son's wheelchair adapted van). Quoting 3 weeks.... We due to go on 29th!! Will we even get on the shuttle without it? Is it you need it or need it IF you get stopped??

Needless to say I'm locked in the doghouse

 

[Rake Aboot]

Use the tunnel.
Eat in Belgium
You’ll pass Ypres so the Menin gate is worths visit as are lots of WW sites

 

[Rake Aboot]

I’ve never taken a V5 with me into Europe
Take your hire documents and don’t fret it.