JTM wrote on Aug 28, 2010:

In France it's a requirement to carry a set of replacement
bulbs in your vehicle. I'd guess that the idea is that as
soon as it's noticed that one of your bulbs has gone, you
can replace itŒ
Πin the supermarket car park or on the roadside. Seems
like a good idea.

Until I came to replace a brake light on my Megane Scenic
the other day. Rear light cluster is held in by a couple of
T20 Torx screws. Now as it happens I had such a tool, but
only by accident! I'm sure not many people would have one,
so should the manufacturer be supplying such tools as a
safety feature?

John



About once a year I drive across Europe, going through Belgium, France,
Germany, Austria, Italy, and Greece. The equipment you are required to carry
in these various countries includes: GB sticker, spare bulbs, spare
spectacles (if needed), first aid equipment, warning triangle, reflective
jacket, fire extinguisher, headlight beam converter - I think that's about
it.

In practice I have never, ever, had anyone abroad show the slightest interest
in anything I have got in or on the car. I do try to take most of the above,
but I don't carry spare headlight bulbs - they're expensive and I've never
had one fail in the last 20 years or so. Also I've stopped putting those
nasty little stickers on my headlamps - I'm not convinced they do anything
and nobody's complained (so far).

--
Mike Lane
UK North Yorkshire
mike_lane at mac dot com