Just Jordan

Little off topic but this board usually has the best advice. Getting ready for my ED and was going to bring my radar detector. Is this advised? Travel will mostly consist of Germany and France.

Thanks in advance for any and all advise.

Mike in CA

In most European countries they are not only illegal but are subject to hefty fines, confiscation and destruction. The UK and Spain are two major European locations where they are legal to use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radar_detector#Legality

SmokinGTS

I found that there were so many false signals my detector was useless. My advise leave it at home. Watch out for those pesky cameras in Switzerland.

928cs

Strictly forbidden in France.

Best advice: respect the speed limitations, use the speed control and enjoy the travel.
Second advice, try to stay on the right lane.

AndyBrew

As far as I understand it Radar detectors in the UK are also illegal, in France you can't even use a sat nav with speed camera locations plumbed in the Gendarmes can get very irate especially when they realise you are not national throw in the fact that you are driving a flash car and they will go town on you!

GuyR

Illegal and useless, as the frequencies are different from the USA.

Bear in mind that they also have lots of unmarked Police cars whose sole job is to target speeders and in France they fine you in cash on the spot and can confiscate the car if you do not have enough cash. More than 30mph over the limit is automatic 1,500 euro fine and immediate ban from driving for 6 months for the driver. If you are on your own they will impound the car until another driver arrives.

I have been stopped in France, Belgium, Germany.

Do not speed in France, stay at 10kph over the limit max, you have plenty of opportunity to go fast in Germany on the de-restricted sections.