OK, so which doccos do I need to take with me?

Yes, yes, yes, I'm going on the French run but which documents do I
*need*. There's a gnawing feeling I'll forget my passport so I'll be
gagger-taping that to the back of the front door in a minute but what
else do I need to take?

Passport: Check
Credit card: Check
Driving licence? V5? Insurance? I s'pose it'd be a good idea to take the
last three but have I forgotten anything[1]

[1] Apart from my sanity, obviously.

 

Ok sir we just need your passport and I can issue your ticket...

Bollox, front door

 

A cardboard sign that reads in French:

"If found covered in own vomit, please place in the back of a nearby car to
sleep it off... again."

 

Document wise you should take:

Your Passport
Driving License
V5
Vehicle Insurance Certificate

Comes in handy:

Pen & paper
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC replacement for E111)
Visa/Mastercard and a cash/debit card.

Be wary of:

Women
Automated fuel pumps are unlikely to accept UK Credit or Debit cards.
If you can't find a human operated one then you might need to bribe a
local to use their card.

 

I'd forget the V5.

 

Right. Next silly question:

Can I buy Euros on the boat?

I'm wary of most women I find attractive.

 

Yes you can

 

Yes. There's a Bureau de Change on board. You might get a better rate
at the Post Office or by using your debit card in Dieppe.

 

Good thinking.

I'm going to chance my luck to the lap of the Gods that I don't need
any.

I was thinking of taking 300 Euros. Is that going to be enough?

I'm not planing on getting any more pissed than usual[1] and I might be
buying some stuff to bring back but mostly I'll be filling up with cheap
tobacco etc.

Yes, but Steve's Wel...

Heh

[1] It doesn't take much

 

I was pulled a couple of years ago and they wanted to see the lot,
including V5.

I'm still not convinced they knew wtf it was, mind...

 

I'd be interested to know if anyone has got into trouble for not
having one.

 

The Continentals still regards the Cart Grise or equivalent as a
vehicle license, so it's always required to be with the vehicle. The
V5 isn't quite the same, and isn't really 'required' as such, but it
tends to keep frogplod happy if you've got it.

In the past, I've been stopped both with and without a V5, and it
didn't make a lot of difference.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 (slightly broken, currently missing)
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10
`\|/`
`

 

I'm putting a copy of it an my insurance doc in the tankbag, just to be
safe... wondering if I really need to take the original policy document
or if a photocopy will also do.

 

At an inflated price, yes. I'd suggest just popping into your local
Thomas Cook with Change facilities and throwing £30 at them today.

You can also put your credit/debit card into most cash machines and
withdraw local currency but there is probably be a fixed or % fee
charged by your bank.

When making purchases keep in mind that €15 is around £10.

Printing off
<http://www.oanda.com/convert/cheatsheet?exch=GBP&expr=EUR&result=1>
could be helpful to you. Remember that's at the Interbank rate, not
exactly the same rate you'll get in a bank/travel agency.

Cigarettes & Tobacco: Fags in France aren't much cheaper than in the
UK, but fags/tobacco in Belgium are a lot cheaper than in the UK.

IIRC Benson & Hedges Gold cost about £49 for 200 in England but
they're £29 for 200 in Belgium. Purchasing tobacco on the ship is
likely to be quite a lot cheaper than in the UK but don't buy more
than you can carry back home If you don't mind a detour to
Adinkirk in Belgium on the way home (if you have time) will get you
the best value for money.

 

It's the convenience I want of just buying them on the ship. If the
commission is really that high, I might just heed your advice and buy
using a CC once in France. My bank doesn't charge for using its card
abroad.

If there's time I'll come to Belgium.

 

It's the convenience I want of just buying them on the ship. If the
commission is really that high, I might just heed your advice and buy
using a CC once in France. My bank doesn't charge for using its card
abroad.




They'll like charge for the currency exchange though.

 

I will be going on the way back

 

*ding*

I only take my insurance/registration documents with me if I'm going
to be away for more than a week or so.

That said, I've never been stopped by the filth whilst driving or
riding in Europe.

 

Do you use it as ID so that people know you're over 18?