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Post by jardiniere on Nov 28, 2022 10:40:59 GMT 1
In anticipation of a long wait for my French licence I've been considering a voiture sans permis. I've never given them any thought before, other than what a mad idea. I only go short distances. Do you have any experience/advice you can offer please? Would be buying secondhand.
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suein56
Member
Southern Morbihan 56 Brittany
Posts: 7,389
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Post by suein56 on Nov 28, 2022 11:25:51 GMT 1
Depending on your circumstances - e.g. living alone, so not a huge amount of food shopping; the fact you cannot go faster than 50kph and dual-carriageways are a no-no - then I think it might be an excellent idea. Choose your car carefully as some are excellent and some are noisy and more difficult to handle. They are not cheap to buy and the insurance can be expensive or so I am told. Can I ask why you have a long wait for your permis ? Haven't you got an attestation allowing you to continue driving whilst waiting for the permis to arrive ?
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Aardvark
Non-gamer
Living in soggy 22 and still wondering what's going on.
Posts: 2,131
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Post by Aardvark on Nov 28, 2022 11:41:02 GMT 1
When I first arrived in France I was quite tickled to see them. The Aixam was very well-styled, almost a scaled down version of the Renault Twingo and came in bold metallic colours and rolled on nice alloy wheels. There was a dealership display at Paimpol market and I was eyeballing under the cover at the back trying to envisage how I might manage to fit a decent sized 4-cylinder engine when I noticed the price tag. €11k! No way Jose, at the time you could get a proper car for that sort of money. I have never seen a S/H one for sale so I have no idea what one would cost. I can only assume the insurance is mega expensive because many of the drivers are either old and doddery or have no license because of drink driving prosecutions. Perhaps someone with a clean license could negotiate a sensible premium.
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Post by amandaj on Nov 28, 2022 13:49:38 GMT 1
In anticipation of a long wait for my French licence I assume this is UK to French exchange? Have you applied yet? If you include everything in the initial application they are coming through quite quickly now. I just helped someone who isn't good with computers with the ANTS application and even though it was delayed as we didn't include his birth cert (it wasn't required at the time but then they moved the goalposts) it was processed in less than 2 months and he has just sent off his UK licence which is the final step.
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Post by jardiniere on Nov 28, 2022 18:10:44 GMT 1
Haven't you got an attestation allowing you to continue driving whilst waiting for the permis to arrive ? No, Sue, I've only just applied but I thought an attestation was a long way down in the process.
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Post by jardiniere on Nov 28, 2022 18:12:52 GMT 1
Perhaps someone with a clean license could negotiate a sensible premium. that's me. I've asked my insurers for a rough quote.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2022 20:57:32 GMT 1
There are other options rather than one of these cars that sound like lawn mowers. How about this one, volume on. its got the all new engine and you can put it into auto mode so just steer
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Post by jackie on Nov 29, 2022 14:02:45 GMT 1
Don’t forget to drive it erratically, and in the middle of the road……😆
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Aardvark
Non-gamer
Living in soggy 22 and still wondering what's going on.
Posts: 2,131
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Post by Aardvark on Nov 29, 2022 16:46:08 GMT 1
With a few cognacs down your neck to steady the nerves.
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Post by annabellespapa on Nov 29, 2022 17:48:40 GMT 1
I always thought that these cars were bought from new and included insurance for life and a servicing contract included, I would not of thought there was a second hand market as you would lose the benefits of insurance etc.
I also thought it was Government backed, especially for rural areas where there was no public transport, otherwise why would you buy one when there are cheaper new cars to buy without the speed restrictions.
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Post by pcpa on Nov 29, 2022 21:02:55 GMT 1
Wrong on both counts methinks!
The market is for those who have lost their license or who have never been able to gain one (pass their permis), also for 14 year olds and above not old enough to get a permis.
Far safer on todays roads than a mobylette or trottinette.
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suein56
Member
Southern Morbihan 56 Brittany
Posts: 7,389
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Post by suein56 on Nov 29, 2022 22:10:35 GMT 1
I would not of thought there was a second hand market .. There is .. on our travels we have passed a Secondhand dealers, which is alongside the dual-carriageway going north of Vannes. There must be others ..
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exile
Member
Massif Central
Posts: 2,669
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Post by exile on Nov 29, 2022 22:33:24 GMT 1
Around here the majority of these cars seem to be driven by elderly widows.
OH presumably did all of the driving up to his demise and no car here means a miserable existence relying on neighbours for lifts. The village has a small epicerie with limited range of goods. Cured meats, eggs and cheese (2 types) but fish and meat are only available in frozen form and very limited at that.
Oh and those at the outer edges of the commune will have a double digit km walk/bike ride to get to the epicerie.
As for clothing, bedding, electricals and the like; that can be a 20km one way journey.
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Post by annabellespapa on Nov 30, 2022 9:19:15 GMT 1
I would not of thought there was a second hand market .. There is .. on our travels we have passed a Secondhand dealers, which is alongside the dual-carriageway going north of Vannes. There must be others .. Hi Sue, thanks for the reply, we had an elderly neighbour (late 70's) when we first bought in France over 20 years ago and he had one of these cars, he was adamant that once he had purchased the car there was no insurance or servicing to pay for, it was a very noisy thing and every morning he went off to get the "bread", his Belgian wife always tutted that he took so long, especially as the village was less than a 5 minute drive away, he used to meet his mates for a coffee and a couple or three cognacs but refused any alcohol when she was around. I know in recent years that over 14's and banned drivers could use them, maybe he was on some form of benefits that paid the bills on the car.
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Post by another on Nov 30, 2022 9:23:46 GMT 1
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