European road trip - Spare bulbs - Xenons

[Caveman_nige]

I am planning to go to the Opel-Treffen Oschersleben show in 2013.. I was aware of the law in Europe (not sure which specific countries) that you had to carry spare bulbs for front and rear. What if you have Xenons, who has a spare set of those considering the cost?

[jaqubek]

as far as I know you only need spare bulbs in France. But dont worry if will stop. If you have facelift signum or vectra be polite and ask them nicely if they could help you change it ,hope they have plenty time to dismantle the whole front.
I drive a lot through europe and never been stopped

[sriandy]

They only stop u if u have s bulb out then tell u to replace it there and then so just be sure they all work first lol

[jaqubek]

another interesting thing I found:

The vehicle must meet all technical requirements to be legal for road use in the country of registration. Any conflicting technical requirements (e.g., right-hand-drive or left-hand-drive) in the signatory country where the vehicle is being driven do not apply.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_...n_Road_Traffic

[sriandy]

Ie that means tyre min is 3mm not 1.6 in some European countries.

[Caveman_nige]

so far I have found a lot of conflicting advise on the net regarding what is compulsory and what is recommended, what are laws and what are myth etc..

With regards to the extra bulbs, it seems many peeps say to carry a set of normal bulbs, but where some cars require full bumper removal to change a bulb you can't be expected to do this anyway. Furthermore some countries like Spain have even dropped this requirement due to the complexities of some modern lights like HIDS, Xenons and LEDS etc..

I reckon a spare set of normals will do for the off chance i get checked/asked. The route will be through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany so I only need to cater for their regs. Can't get my head round this French requirement to carry a French certified personal breathalyser that must be with its 12 month validity. An 11 Euro fine if you get caught without one, they only cost about £3 anyway.

[tanya_baby]

as far as I know you only need spare bulbs in France.

I carry two of every bulb spare. so if one breaks and needs changing, I still have a spare until I replace it

[kenp]

Well most contries say you have to bring spare bulbs.. but hell no, im not going to change a xenon bulb on the edge on the motorway, dont even bring the tools to do so.. but i dont carry a few other bulbs, but never the xenon one.