Riding in Europe, docs question

[Adam80UK]

Soon off for a Euro jolly, from Calais to Italian Alps.

I know need to take all driving/vehicle docs, but are photocopies generally accepted or should I take originals?

Thanks
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Current: '07 Suzuki SV1000 & '07 Honda SH300i (again).
Previously owned: '08 Yamaha R1, '10 Kawasaki Z1000, '07 Honda SH300i, '04 Suzuki SV1000S, '11 Honda CB1000R, '09 Kawasaki ZX-10R, '08 Aprilia Tuono 1000R, '07 Triumph Daytona 675, '95 Honda CBR600F.

[Polarbear]

I alsways take originals with me but I also take a full set of photo copies of everything before I leave just incase I lose any while I am away.

My reasoning is that if I get stopped and some nice foreign policeman issues me with an on the spot fine for not having the originals, am I not going to argue with him so I have to pay a silly fine

Make sure you have the registration document with you, that's a requirement in some countries.
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Victory Cross Country American tractor.

[dodger]

I got stopped the other day in France and the police wanted to see my original documents...
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My Bikes: Piaggio NRG| Aprilia RS 125| Suzuki GSX-R 600|Yamaha Fazer Ducati 848
Europe 2008

[Tonka]

It's originals that have to be shown on demand, as far as I'm aware. A useful tip from lots of overseas travel is to have photocopies and also pdf them and send to a hotmail/yahoo-style account, so you can always get more copies if you need to for any reason.
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'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[map]

[Tonka]

I'll probably get 'booed-off' for mentioning 4 wheels.....

... but apparently the French police speed trapped a large number of British cars on the way back from Le Mans - big fines (Euro 750), documents taken, including threat of passport removal - and no arguing, even in French!

Yeah, yeah - I know they probably deserved it, but not sure bikes would have been given any preference!
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'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[Itchy]

[kawakid]

[strag]

AA website https://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/general_advice.html
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carbon bling

[Cigaro]

On a seperate but not completely unrelated note, is it true that (at the moment, I know there are plans to change this) if you get done for speeding in another country, you don't have to send your license off to the DVLA to get the points put on?

I know someone who lives in France but has a UK license, they told her she had to send her license off, she never did and didn't hear anything about it...

[KTM Gordo]

The UK is unusual in that you don't need to carry your documents with you. Most other European countries require you to carry the vehicle's documents (V5C), insurance and MoT certificate at all times.

You also need to carry your driving licence, and it's a good idea to carry your passport with you too.

The UK is also unusual in not having an identity card - in France you must carry your ID card with you, so for visiting Brits that means your passport. A friend of mine was strolling along the seafront in a small village and was stopped by a Gendarme who requested his papers.

Other things to carry: Spare bulbs, spare glasses / contact lenses (if you normally wear them to drive) and a HV waistcoat (in case you breakdown on an Autoroute).

Things to bear in mind: France has on the spot fines - they must be paid at the roadside. If you haven't got the cash, they'll take you to a cash machine.

They can also confiscate vehicles for excessive speed - and that means what it says: You won't get your bike back. Ever.

HTH
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Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.

KTM 990 Adventure | KTM EXC 250 Racing | Land Rover Freelander SE Td4