We've had a few scrapes with local law enforcement over time at Beermountain, ranging from the simple inconvenience of being forced not to carry 10 people in the back of a Vauxhall Cavalier (with the tailgate open in Arnage), through to a few fairly pointless speeding "offences".

Seen above - Swiss brakes down from the Mulsanne straight to smile at the nicely at the Gendarmes as he manoeuvres neatly round the corner into Arnage...He would have got away with it, but with Mr Disco and Mr Toad sat in the back, it looked like a day trip from a local mental institution!

In 2003 our long serving Cruise Director, Buzz, was late to arrive in Le Mans after a business meeting in the UK on Friday afternoon. He got pulled late in the day on the way down in what seemed to be an exercise to delay anyone who wasn't a local driver...he managed to get away, but only just. To reflect the potential severity of the repercussions of this, we've got 3 key tips from Buzz:

Buzz's Le Mans Driving 'Tip of the Day' No 1
Take a photocopy of your driving licence with you, not the original.  If you are apprehended for a driving offence in France, your driving licence can be confiscated 'on the spot'.  It will eventually be returned to the French embassy in London at 'snail's pace' some six months later - you will then have to report personally to the embassy if you want to retrieve it.  Clearly handing over a photocopy at the outset saves an awful lot of trouble, although we don't know if this might attract a further penalty.
 
Buzz's Le Mans Driving 'Tip of the Day' No 2
Never drive alone and always have at least two drivers in every vehicle.  Should the gendarmes apprehend you for a relatively minor offence such as speeding, they have the power to not only confiscate your licence on the spot but also to issue an immediate three day driving ban!  On last year's sortie, I personally witnessed lone drivers vehicles being loaded on to a police transporter as they commenced  their ban.  Having another driver on board ensures you can at least complete your journey.
 
Buzz's Le Mans Driving 'Tip of the Day' No 3
Always carry a cash card with you.  Our friends the gendarmes can fine you 'on the spot' and you need to hand over the readies or, alternatively, you can be transported to the nearest cash-point to extract the same.  Also make sure you have plenty of cash at your disposal - last year I witnessed one gentleman apprehended for speeding in a Chevrolet Pace Car and made to pay 400 euros 'on the spot!'

Finally, brush up on the law - it's different over there! - we recommend DayTripper.com

There you go - take care out there! - Ed