driving London-Dam

[Ash333]

What d'ya reckon, I only got my licence on Friday... good idea or not?

[Willjay]

congratulations, and Y not. Rember there is water between you and the dam.

[Bob2]

driving through france is a bastard the police will make sure you got warning triangle,1 hi vis jacket per person, spare bulbs, G.B sticker, stick on light reflectors. you also need a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher just incase you see a car on fire or someone injured. we got a right bollocking for not having the first aid kit or fire extinguisher and were lucky not to be fined

[liquidSwords]

What d'ya reckon, I only got my licence on Friday... good idea or not?

Good idea, your only gonna get confident and comfortable on the roads 1 way, and that by driving alot, keep to the speed limits and make sure you have all the things Stuart listed and go for it, it will be an adventure. Me and a few mates wanna do it sometime this year.

Have a good one whatever you do

[Kermit]

What d'ya reckon, I only got my licence on Friday... good idea or not?

Do it, i would if i lived that close to the channel

[Pauli Wallnuts]

do it, ive done it a few times, its a piece of piss especially with a gps system, remember to park at the olympic stadium or ajax arena & ask for park & ride offer, (only lasts for 4days max, so if staying longer re-enter car park & repeat offer or go to another p+r garage) + you only need GB sticker if you dont have an eu licence plate, also theres only 1speed camera for the whole journey on a motorway bridge in belgium where the speed limits reduced, apart from that ton it all the way there, actually maybe i shouldn't be telling you this if youv'e only just passed your test + @stu, i knew about all those things except the fire extinguisher, is that a legal requirement?

[Fat Freddie]

What d'ya reckon, I only got my licence on Friday... good idea or not?

Can be done but make sure your legal etc and your car is up to the drive,
You need to take your Car documents and your license if you have not got it from DVLC yet it may be a prob. Your Insurance should already cover you for the EEC. Also take your E111 if you have it.
I've driven from south east UK a number of times and found it's a good idea to plan your route and print off google maps of the major junctions if you don't have sat nav.
Antwerp can be a pain in rush hour but most of it is dual carriageway so it is easy.
Remember in france to slow down when it rains and put your lights on dip ( put adapters or tape on lights to alter beam to LHD )
If you get an early ferry/channel Tunnel crossing it's cheaper and the roads quieter. Ferry is cheaper to book online in advance.
If you do break the speed limit and get caught expect an on the spot fine but TBH if it's your first drive abroad take it easy, take a break every 2 hrs and relax
Park and Ride or Zeeburg are cheaper to park at
Don't take your car into central amsterdam!
Give way to cyclists.


enjoy your trip.

FF
PS I thought the fire extinguisher was a reccomendation not a req.
The AA site doesn't list it as a requirement. for france

[Bob2]

was told its law to have them and if you see a car a little bit on fire your supposed to get out and put it out (sounds stupid but he said its law) they sorta said same thing on boat. do a lot of tobacco trips to calais and if we cross before 10am never see them

[echc1]

why go that route?going through france and belgium....why not drive upto harwich,catch ferry to rotterdam instead...another option to consider

[Bob2]

live right near dover its ideal for me, but if i lived in london would most probably go for harwich

[Pauli Wallnuts]

why go that route?going through france and belgium....why not drive upto harwich,catch ferry to rotterdam instead...another option to consider

its quicker from south london to drive to dover (1hr) then jump on the ferry for 1.30hr, then another 3 - 3.30hrs max your in the dam, so so easy, if im not mistaken the harwich crossing is 4hours & it would take me 2hrs to get to the port & then another hour on the other side to get to dam

[Fat Freddie]

was told its law to have them and if you see a car a little bit on fire your supposed to get out and put it out (sounds stupid but he said its law) they sorta said same thing on boat. do a lot of tobacco trips to calais and if we cross before 10am never see them

I guess if the copper told you that it must be so ( assuming they know the law LOL ) though both the AA and RAC advise taking one they dont say it's a requirement.
From RAC

If you're driving in France you'll need:

A valid, full UK driving licence - both the photo card and paper counterpart
A GB sticker clearly displayed on the back of your car - unless your car has 'Euro-plates' (number-plates that show a circle of 12 stars on a blue background)
Your motor insurance certificate
Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you're driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way)
A warning triangle and reflective jacket for use if you break down or have to pull over to change a wheel or deal with any other problems. If you don't have these, you could be fined around €90
You must also:

Be 18 or over
Wear your seatbelt at all times (this applies to everyone in the car)
Wear a crash helmet if you're riding a motorcycle
It's a good idea to have:

Spare bulbs for your car's external lights
A fire extinguisher
A first aid kit
A Green Card - it's a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you've got the minimum legal level of cover. If you'd like to find out more, contact your insurance company

I would like to know for sure as I like to keep the car legal and it would do no harm to carry an extinguisher, if the car electrics go up it does give a chance to put it out but best advice is get the fuck out of the car if it bursts into flame as the car extinguishers are small and I would be surprised if they made much difference once a car had caught alight.

As you say I seldom see any french police when I travel as it is usually early or near rush hour on the return.

I find dover calais is quicker ( from the south east) and often cheaper if you book online. I got crossings for £30 each way earlier this year and combined with good mpg from my diesel car can keep the costs of a trip to the Dam down leaving me more cash to spend on Bud

FF

[StonedSince67]

What d'ya reckon, I only got my licence on Friday... good idea or not?

it is, of course, your call, but i feel a balanced view is needed in all things in this world

since everyone here has said "do it", i will be the one who says "don't do it"

i am probably old enough to be your father, gosh i am probably old enough to be your grandfather, and yes i am a parent of someone probably close to your age so my point-of-view may be defined as that of the "old worrier"

let me explain ... the drive from the uk to amsterdam is not the same as popping round the corner to get some milk and a newspaper

question: how many miles have you driven in total in your life ?

question: how many miles have you driven on the "wrong" side of the road ?

question: how many hours have you driven in a single stretch ?

question: how many hours have you driven in a single day ?

question: have you driven when you are really tired ?

question: have you driven when you are stoned ?

yeah, yeah, yeah ... blah, blah, blah ... yada, yada, yada

so my answer is "yes, do it" but imho not just yet, get many many more miles and driving hours under your belt on uk roads first

but it is, of course, your life and your call and the drive may be well within your abilities now, only you will know when you are ready to go, take great care in any case

via con dios amigo

[liquidSwords]

question: how many miles have you driven on the "wrong" side of the road

I spose he hasnt drove many miles on the right side... oh wait, or is that the left side, lol.

If i was driving i wouldnt take the Harwich ferry, little point in driving as the crossing is like a 4 hour or so sail, and take most of the driving fun out of actually driving to Dam, best to go throught France and Belgium .

[Fat Freddie]

What d'ya reckon, I only got my licence on Friday... good idea or not?

it is, of course, your call, but i feel a balanced view is needed in all things in this world

since everyone here has said "do it", i will be the one who says "don't do it"

i am probably old enough to be your father, gosh i am probably old enough to be your grandfather, and yes i am a parent of someone probably close to your age so my point-of-view may be defined as that of the "old worrier"

let me explain ... the drive from the uk to amsterdam is not the same as popping round the corner to get some milk and a newspaper

question: how many miles have you driven in total in your life ?

question: how many miles have you driven on the "wrong" side of the road ?

question: how many hours have you driven in a single stretch ?

question: how many hours have you driven in a single day ?

question: have you driven when you are really tired ?

question: have you driven when you are stoned ?

yeah, yeah, yeah ... blah, blah, blah ... yada, yada, yada

so my answer is "yes, do it" but imho not just yet, get many many more miles and driving hours under your belt on uk roads first

but it is, of course, your life and your call and the drive may be well within your abilities now, only you will know when you are ready to go, take great care in any case

via con dios amigo

Your right to add a note of caution.
I wrote "Can be done" as after passing my test I went on a 400 mile journey.
Though as a parent I know telling someone Not to do something is not always the easy path. LOL

Best thing is if someone is not sure or confident is to take an experienced driver with them and or share the driving ( make sure both drivers are legal, if nothing else it's too much hassle not to) as it is good to experience different driving conditions and try and improve as a driver and you can only do that by trying and practicing.

FF