Radar detector legal in Europe?

[varun]

Im doing a Euro del. on my M3 and was wondering if radar detectors are legal in europe? Potential countries I will visit is Germany (duh!), France, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Holland and the UK. Anyone know anything on this? Any recommended driving tips/habits I should know about? Driving across borders is easy or a pain in the A** or a straight shot? Cheers!

[Davinhci]

Awesome man, maybe you should enjoy the sites and no speeding.

Great another one in Austin!

[EnzoB]

I'll be in Austin in July. We should all meet up.

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by varun

Im doing a Euro del. on my M3 and was wondering if radar detectors are legal in europe? Potential countries I will visit is Germany (duh!), France, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Holland and the UK. Anyone know anything on this? Any recommended driving tips/habits I should know about? Driving across borders is easy or a pain in the A** or a straight shot? Cheers!

I used my V1 in germany...it has saved me from some tickets, but I've also had 2 from stationary radar/photo cameras. you have to watch out in small towns because they will put radar cameras in the back of parked cars and in other tricky spots. if you see a red flash (you'll know), you got busted. i don't think that there are any restrictions on radar detectors in germany though. can't speak for the other countries.

[nitramsen]

Be careful in Switzerland(They put people in jail for driving 200 km/h) and hide the radar detector when crossing the border as they will confiscate it if they see it and give you a big fine (400-1200 CHF).

Enjoy the ride.

All the EU (-Switzerland) there is no boarder control so that should be easy.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by Big Windy

I used my V1 in germany...it has saved me from some tickets, but I've also had 2 from stationary radar/photo cameras. you have to watch out in small towns because they will put radar cameras in the back of parked cars and in other tricky spots. if you see a red flash (you'll know), you got busted. i don't think that there are any restrictions on radar detectors in germany though. can't speak for the other countries.

Probably not a big deal for foreign people, but radar detectors are illegal in Germany. The detector will be confiscated if you got pulled over and there will be a fine (so essentially the same like in Switzerland).


Best regards, south

[dar2008]

No border controls in mainland Europe - excepting Switzerland as already mentioned. But for entry in and out of the UK, you'll need to cross the English Channel and will encouter strict border controls when leaving either France or the UK.

My recommendation would be to take the Eurotunnel train from Calais to England - it's great. You basically drive onto the train, and sit with your car for the 30minute under-sea trip.

Plus the roar of your engine as you drive into the confined space of the train will sound fantastic!!!

[Wads]

Radar detectors are ok in the UK but watch out for the thousands of fixed speed cameras (they are generally easy to spot as have a yellow reflective backing).

Detectors (I think of any sort) are illegal in France.... if caught the equipment will be destroyed in front of you and a heavy on the spot fine dished out.

[keanu1]

if you come to Romania it's ok!! They are legal here!!

[SmokeyJoe]

I have a NaviGon GPS, you can download all the traffic cameras on the internet for a couple of Euros. They update monthly and it includes stationary and mobile cameras. It has worked great for me. I dont expect my M3 until next month but I think I read you can download the same for the factory GPS system. Here is the link, but I have not really looked into it yet so I am not sure how it works or if its any good.


http://www.bmwnavaddpoi.co.uk/default.htm

[inmotion]

There are some areas with cameras, so before you head out just ask the locals where to be cautious. Have fun.

[dar2008]

Check this thread here,... alledgedly you can download the 2008-2 DVD for Europe, that includes all 'known' speed cameras

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...7&postcount=75

[M-bitious]

Same in Holland, illegal, the police even drive with radar detector-dectectors.

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by southlight

Probably not a big deal for foreign people, but radar detectors are illegal in Germany. The detector will be confiscated if you got pulled over and there will be a fine (so essentially the same like in Switzerland).


Best regards, south

wow, south...good to know. i guess its obvious i'm a dumb american living in germany

[satjunkie]

And don't forget, in Italy and France, they can and will confiscate your car when you more than 30-40km/h over the limit.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by Big Windy

wow, south...good to know. i guess its obvious i'm a dumb american living in germany

No, you're not. Hope you didn't take my comment that way.


Best regards, south

[nitramsen]

Originally Posted by satjunkie

And don't forget, in Italy and France, they can and will confiscate your car when you more than 30-40km/h over the limit.

As fare as I know only two contries in europe will confiscate/impound your car for driving 80+ over the speed limit(Highway) and that is Netherlands and Switzerland. And some will do it if you cannot pay the fine in cash but you will get it back when paid.

France rules as fare as I know:

speeding at less than 20km/12mph - 68 euros plus 1 point or 135 euros plus 1 point if in a 50km zone
speeding between 20km/12mph and 30km/19mph - 135 euros plus 2 points; licence suspension (normally only in France) up to 3 years.
speeding between 30km/19mph and 40km/25mph - 135 euros plus 3 points; licence suspension (normally only in France) up to 3 years.
speeding between 40km/25mph and 50km/31mph - 135 euros plus 4 points; licence suspension (normally only in France) up to 3 years. Significantly, your licence can also be confiscated on the spot.
speeding over 50km/31mph - 1500 euros plus 6 points; licence suspension (normally only in France) up to 3 years. Significantly, your licence can also be confiscated on the spot.
second offence over 50km - up to 3 months' jail, up to 3750 euros plus 6 points; licence suspension (normally only in France) up to 3 years
the minimum fine is 45 euros if paid within 15 days and 180 euros if more than 45 days (maximum 450 euros if it goes to trial)
the 135 euros fine is 90 euros if paid within 15 days and 375 euros if more than 45 days (maximum 750 euros if it goes to trial)
if you are stopped by police / gendarmerie you have to pay the fine on the spot in cash, failing which the car will be impounded and you will be taken to the local police station. Your licence may be suspended for up to 14 days.
if you are caught by a speed camera you will probably not be pursued for the fine or points but the penalties could be as shown above.

And when the sun is shining in France you can be sure that they are waiting on motorcycles to stop people with foriegn plates.

[rcornelius]

Originally Posted by varun

Im doing a Euro del. on my M3 and was wondering if radar detectors are legal in europe? Potential countries I will visit is Germany (duh!), France, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Holland and the UK. Anyone know anything on this? Any recommended driving tips/habits I should know about? Driving across borders is easy or a pain in the A** or a straight shot? Cheers!

Great that you are taking deliever in Germany. You will enjoy Europe. Radar detectors are illegal in Europe and if caught you could get a stiff fine. You will not really be able to drive a new M3 at real autobahn speeds since you have a break in period. BMW is real picky about the RPMs (at least in my area of Germany) and the RPMs or pretty much every thing is recorded or can be extracted from your FOB. Where are you taking delievery at? Regensberg, Munich???

[Dascamel]

Get a TomTom or other good unit with euro maps, majority of the radar cameras are on the maps.

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by Dascamel

Get a TomTom or other good unit with euro maps, majority of the radar cameras are on the maps.

just gives you a dangerous feel of savety.

the easiest way is driving as fast as allowed or max +20km/h (in ger).
I m doing so and i m fine with it for the last years ( just paid some bugs, but anything seriously).

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by varun

Im doing a Euro del. on my M3 and was wondering if radar detectors are legal in europe? Potential countries I will visit is Germany (duh!), France, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Holland and the UK. Anyone know anything on this? Any recommended driving tips/habits I should know about? Driving across borders is easy or a pain in the A** or a straight shot? Cheers!

I just came back from Germany and they're not legal there - Austria's too.

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by Big Windy

you have to watch out in small towns because they will put radar cameras in the back of parked cars and in other tricky spots. if you see a red flash (you'll know), you got busted.

Also watch out for road works: they set them up there. A car in front of me in my rented 3er got dinged going through when the speed drops suddenly - I hope I was not in sight as well as I was late slowing to 80 km/h