UK residents get a direct debit account for French Toll Roads
UK Residents can now get a Sanef account and payments will be taken from their UK bank account by direct debit.
UK residents can now get an account with Sanef Tolling and use any toll roads that use the Liber-t automated payment system.
Liber-t is the French national télépéage scheme for light vehicles operated by the members of the association of French motorway operators on behalf of the French government. The scheme operates across the entire autoroute network and a Liber-t tag can even be used to pay for parking at some car parks.
The Liber-t scheme is ideal for all cars and small motorhomes/ camper vans but vehicles over 3.5t GVW and more than 3m tall are not eligible for the Liber-t scheme.
When you register with Sanef Tolling they will send you a tag and this tag is placed in the windscreen of your vehicle, when you pass through the toll barrier your journey is recorded and the money is taken from you account 10 days after the journey using direct debit. You can download statements online which will show all the journeys that you have made.
Vehicles over 3.5tons or 3m high can get a telepeage device at http://www.tolltickets.com
Taking an old camper van into Europe
Before you leave:
Make sure timing/cambelt is not nearing the end of it's life. If you have no service history look for a sticker in engine compartment that indicates when it was last changed. If you don't know when it was last changed, a full service with replacement of all belts might cost 300 quid, but well worth it.
Check the exhaust isn't about to break/fall off. The cost of front section of exhaust for a van in France is over 400 Euros.
It is a legal requirement in France not to mix tyre brands on the same axle. The French police don't seem to check for this because I have been stopped a few times with 4 different brands of tyre on the van but if you get a puncture then some tyre companies will not sell you a single tyre, they will make you replace both tyres on the axle if they don't have a matching tyre. For this reason it is good idea to spend a bit extra and get Michelin tyres because you will always be able to find a matching Michelin tyre in France.
The cost of replacement parts in Europe is considerably more expensive than the UK, and availability of second hand parts is limited. A neConsider taking the following spares alternator or started motor can set you back over 500 euros, and both items can be picked up second hand on ebay for less than 30 quid each. Even if you don't feel confident to change these items yourself you can always get a local mechanic to fit them for you and make big savings.
Old camper van recommended things to take.
- Alternator
- Starter motor
- Throttle and clutch cables
- Spare bulbs for all lights (it's a legal requirement to carry a spare bulb set in some European countries)
- Jump leads
- Spanners/sockets/extension bar to change starter motor or alternator.
- Warning triangle and high visibility vests for all passengers (a legal requirement in France, you can buy much cheaper in the first supermarket you come to in France than you can on the Ferry)