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The most popular (and cheapest) transportation over to France from the UK is by Ferry or Eurotunnel There are several companies to travel with and several ports to travel from, which one is dependent on your location and the convenience offered. Driving to Le Mans from Calais/Dunkirk The quickest route after you arrive in Calais or Dunkirk is to drive on the A16 heading to Abbeville and then join the A28 which will take you via Rouen and Alencon. The journey time is expected to take around 4 hours, 45 minutes and a distance of 432 kilometers. Once you arrive at Le Mans you will then need to find the best route to your campsite or accommodation. But be aware, it can be tricky to find the correct road to take and traffic can also be hectic around race week so keep your wits about you! Click here for P&O Ferries crossings from Dover to Calais Driving to Le Mans from Cherbourg/Caen/Saint-Malo The ferries depart from Poole or Portsmouth to Cherbourg, Caen and Saint-Malo Travel time from Cherbourg to Le Mans is 3 hours and just under 2 hours from Caen From Cherbourg you can drive via the N13 to Caen and then pick up the N158, through Falaise and then onto the A28 into Le Mans. Saint-Malo to Le Mans is around 2 hours 45 minutes. You can drive there on the D137, onto the N157 and finally the A81 into Le Mans. A WORD OF WARNING ! When driving in France be very aware that the Gendarme are on full alert for those (particularly the British) who decide to break any speed limits during race week. It is very easy to put the pedal to the metal to get down to Le Mans as quick as possible but it isn't worth the fines, confiscation of your driving licence and even impounding your car. In addition to this, it is also illegal to use speed detection devices and even SatNavs that show speed camera locations. Most SatNavs have this facility switched off as a factory setting but check before setting off from the French ports. If in doubt, leave the SatNav in the boot or concealed in your luggage so it can't be seen to be used in the vehicle. Also, ensure all other French driving laws are obeyed, Fluorescent jackets for all in the vehicle and placed directly in the vicinity of each person so can be used instantly if needs be. There are so many other laws they impose and news ones being introduced all the time so please check with the RAC or AA motoring sites to ensure you comply.

Here are some guides to travelling to Le Mans for the 24 Hours race. Although it is a guide based on experience, it is by no means definitive and requires careful planning to ensure you get the best out of your visit. Most race fans prefer to travel by car, van or motorhome and requires taking the cross-channel ferry to any of the French ports and then driving down to Le Mans. This requires some careful planning to ensure you don't fall foul of any laws, excess costs or time lost in travelling. We will try to walk you through some of the pitfalls and best methods we have used over the many years so you can enjoy your time over there. The following guides can offer some advice (a lot of it gained from personal experiences) and don't forget to take in the sights on the way through France, it really does have a lot more to offer than just a motor race! Any suggestions for improvements or errors, please let us know

Almost half of consumers say they'll be less likely to use public transport after lockdown More than half of UK consumers believe owning a vehicle will be more important in the future, with 48 per cent of public transport users admitting that they would be less likely to use it once the current restrictions have been lifted. The research by Auto Trader also found that ‘transport distancing’ was even more of a concern for younger consumers, with 66 per cent of 18-24-year-olds claiming they’d be less likely to use it. For those living in a city centre, and typically more dependent on public transport, this increased to 64 per cent. The research, which was conducted between the 14 – 17 April, consisted of three separate surveys targeting different consumer demographics; in total over 3,000 consumers were surveyed. Related: Car access is more important than ever, third of drivers say Of the 1,067 people asked about their current attitudes towards car ownership, nearly three quarters (74 per cent) said that they are more concerned about having personal space following COVID-19, which is now beginning to shift their views on their personal modes of transport. Over half (56 per cent) of UK driving license holders surveyed who currently don’t own a vehicle said Covid-19 has made them consider purchasing a car when it’s safe to do so. Auto Trader’s chief operating officer, Catherine Faiers, said: “Our research highlights just how profound an impact Cocid-19 has had on consumer attitudes towards transport. “It also confirms that the global pandemic will have far reaching consequences that last after the current restrictions have been lifted.”

As the UK government has instructed the nation to stay at home and only venture out for specific, essential reasons in light of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation, many of us are being encouraged to park our cars if we can. Some owners of Toyota hybrids might be wondering what will happen to their car during long periods without use, particularly when it comes to the level of charge in the batteries. The reassuring news is that no difficult car maintenance is necessary. However, there are some tips that, if followed, can help ensure your Toyota remains in tip-top condition during an extended layoff. To recap, Toyota hybrids generally contain two batteries: a 12-volt battery (which powers systems such as the headlamps and audio) and a high-voltage hybrid system battery (which supplies the power to start the combustion engine and drive the electric motors). The simplest way to maintain charge in both of these batteries is to simply go through the normal start procedure: press the ‘Start’ button with your foot on the brake and ensure the ‘Ready’ light is illuminated on the dashboard. We recommend you put the car in ‘Ready’ mode for about 60 minutes before switching it off again and repeat the process at least once a week, providing you can carry out this procedure while adhering to the government’s advice regarding social distancing and Coronavirus (Covid-19). Please do not leave your car unattended when it is in ‘Ready’ mode. During the time that that car is in ‘Ready’ mode, you may hear and feel the internal combustion engine kick in; this is a normal part of the self-charging process. You might be tempted to switch on the radio to pass the time, or turn on other systems, but bear in mind these will consume small amounts of electrical power so it is preferable to leave them off. Ensure the handbrake is on; there’s no need to go for a drive, although we must stress that this procedure should take place in a well-ventilated area – something to consider if you park your vehicle in a garage. What if my Toyota isn’t a hybrid? Our petrol and diesel cars only have a 12-volt battery, which provides the power to start the engine in addition to the other systems mentioned above. Regular start-up of the vehicle on conventional petrol and diesel engines needs approximately 20 minutes of running to put back into the battery what you remove on start up, so to maintain this battery we would suggest 60 minutes of running at least once a week. Is there anything else I need to do? Whether you own a hybrid or a Toyota equipped solely with an internal combustion engine, there are a few other easy car maintenance points that can ensure your Toyota hybrid remains healthy and happy during an enforced hibernation. Again, please adhere to the latest government advice regarding social distancing. Check the tyre pressures are fully inflated to the recommended level and top-up if necessary. It can be a good idea to repeat this process when you first drive your car after a long period of inactivity. Clean the car thoroughly inside and out. If you are storing your car in a garage, make sure the vehicle is completely dry before you put it away. If you do plan to store your car in a garage, ensure the chosen storage area offers plenty of ventilation. If the space is secure, you could consider opening one of the car’s windows a small way to ventilate the interior. If you do this, you might have to change your car alarm’s setting to prevent it setting off the intrusion sensor – please consult your car’s manual for more information. It can be beneficial to leave the vehicle with the parking brake disengaged to prevent the brakes from binding, but only do this if you are certain the car is on level terrain and isn’t going to move. Ensure the transmission is set to ‘P’ for park and place wedges or chocks, if you have them, under the wheels. If you have a 12V battery trickle charger, or a solar panel charger, and are confident using them, then these are a good option to keep the battery fully charged while the vehicle is stationary for a period of time. If your vehicle is equipped with smart entry and start but the system isn’t operated for a long time, a battery-saving function will automatically be activated to prevent the electronic key battery and the 12-volt battery from being discharged. Battery depletion in the key is minimised by stopping the electronic key from receiving radio waves. On many models equipped with this system, it is possible to manually put the key into battery-saving mode, so please consult your car’s handbook for more information. If you aren’t planning to drive your car for a long time, consider putting the smart key in a safe place and not carrying it around with you in your pocket. This will prevent the car from ‘waking up’ unnecessarily should you happen to walk near it in your garage or driveway. If the vehicle will be kept on private property (such as inside a garage) for the duration of its storage, you could consider applying for a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). This informs the DVLA that the car is off the road and you will receive a refund of any remaining full months of tax. However, you won’t be able to drive your car legally until you tax it again, so it is only advisable if you are positive you won’t use your car for a long time. You can read more information about how to SORN your car here.

In times like these when many of us are in quarantine and cities are in lock-down, you would think that our vehicles are naturally not on top of our minds. CTEK a leading global brand in the care and maintenance of vehicle batteries, is however reporting an unprecedented number of enquires from people all over the world, asking for advice on how best to look after their battery when their vehicle is parked up for a long period of time Tony Zeal, Global Training Manager at CTEK said “We have taken so many questions from people wanting to make sure that they protect against a flat battery – a hassle they could do without – so that when they are able to use their vehicle again the battery is charged and the vehicle is ready to go.” Tony shares the following information and tips on what you need to consider and how best to look after your vehicle battery when your vehicle is parked up and not being used: • A CTEK study has identified that as many as 51% of vehicles on the road today has a battery that requires attention – by that we mean it needs charging or replacing • Modern vehicles have lots of on-board computers and security systems such as alarms, immobilisers and trackers which means the battery can quickly become flat – by simply sitting on a shelf, a standard 12 V lead-acid battery will be unable to start a battery after just 6 months*, so imagine how much more quickly this will happen with all of those additional vehicle electronics! • Reports from airport carparks indicate that the number of people returning to their vehicle after a one or two week vacation, to find a flat battery has increased. This situation would significantly worsen if vehicles were left for months rather than weeks • Proactive battery care is needed, so that when you want to use your vehicle, the battery is charged and ready to go – and you won’t need to risk jump-starting the vehicle, something that can damage sensitive vehicle electronics. • If your vehicle is parked next to a power supply, connect a smart battery charger such as the CTEK MXS 5.0 to your battery for peace of mind charging. • If you are unable to attach a charger permanently, try to charge your vehicle battery once a month – if you are still using your vehicle for essential journeys consider sitting with the engine running for a little while before driving it to deliver additional charge to the battery. CTEK chargers can be attached to the vehicle for long periods of time, so it’s perfect for long-term maintenance of vehicle batteries, where the vehicle will be parked up in long-term storage. Regularly using a smart battery charger will extend battery life and maximize battery performance. Click here for more information about looking after your battery in storage * If a standard lead-acid vehicle battery was sat out of a vehicle it would lose around 0.1V per month – so for example if the vehicle was parked in March, battery health would start to decline from June, and by September you may be unable to start a vehicle.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): MOTs for cars, vans and motorcycles due from 30 March 2020 From 30 March 2020, MOT due dates for cars, motorcycles and light vans will be extended by 6 months. This is being done to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. There’s separate guidance about what to do if your MOT due date is up to and including 29 March 2020. There are different temporary rules for MOT tests for lorries, buses and trailers. What you need to do You do not need to do anything to extend your vehicle’s MOT expiry date if it’s on or after 30 March 2020. However, you must keep your vehicle safe to drive. Your vehicle will be automatically given a 6-month MOT exemption. This will extend your current MOT expiry date by 6 months. ExampleYour vehicle’s MOT was due to expire on 3 April 2020. This will automatically be extended to 3 October 2020. You will need to get your MOT by this date. You can check your MOT history to see when you have been issued an exemption. It will not be updated straight away, so keep checking back if your new due date MOT is not yet showing. You will not get a paper exemption certificate. If your vehicle tax is due, you can tax your vehicle as soon as your MOT due date has been updated. If your vehicle’s first MOT is due Your vehicle will be automatically given a 6-month MOT exemption from the date its first MOT was due. If your first MOT was due before 30 March 2020 and your vehicle did not pass Your vehicle will not get an extension to its MOT due date. Your vehicle will need to pass an MOT before you can drive it again. The government is allowing MOT centres and garages to remain open. So you can still get an MOT if you need your vehicle: to shop for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible for any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person to travel to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home Read the full guidance on staying at home and away from others. Keep your vehicle safe to drive You must make sure your vehicle is safe to drive (‘roadworthy’). It can be unsafe even if your MOT expiry date has been extended. Find out how to check your vehicle is safe and read the rules about vehicle maintenance, safety and security. You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition. Original article source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-mots-for-cars-vans-and-motorcycles-due-from-30-march-2020 Published by gov.uk (25/03/20)

Autocar’s advice on how drivers will be affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic As the UK government effectively orders the entire population to stay at home in an effort to contain the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, motorists are understandably unsure as to how the new rules affect them. Autocar has compiled this guide to help you know what you can and can’t do until the restrictions are lifted. What is the coronavirus (Covid-19)? Covid-19, also known as the coronavirus, is a potentially deadly viral infection that is easily transmitted between individuals. Originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan, it's highly contagious and sufferers only begin to show symptoms several days after infection. The elderly and people with underlying health conditions can develop especially serious forms of the resulting illness, so the UK and most other countries around the world have imposed strict lockdown measures to limit its spread. Can I still go for a drive in self-isolation? Although driving hasn't been banned, you should take your car out only if you have no other alternative. The government has said trips to the supermarket and pharmacy are permitted, as well as commuting for key workers, but simply driving for pleasure isn't advisable until the restrictions lift. How can I stay safe when refuelling at a petrol station? The price of fuel has fallen quite significantly because of the coronavirus pandemic – the Morrisons supermarket chain has dropped unleaded prices by an unprecedented 12p per litre – and fuel stations remain open for the time being. Fuel pump handles have, however, been identified as high-risk touchpoints, so customers have been advised to use gloves while filling their car and to wash their hands thoroughly as soon as possible after leaving. Can I still get my car serviced? Some garages have been forced to close due to social distancing restrictions limiting the number of people that can be in one place. However, under the terms of the government’s latest announcement, MOT test centres have been classed as essential businesses. This means that key workers' vehicles, which are considered essential means of transport, can still have their annual tests carried out. Garages are likely to postpone any other work until the stay-at-home rule is lifted. What if my car's MOT runs out? As it stands, a valid MOT certificate remains a legal requirement for any vehicle being driven on public roads. Measures are being put in place at many test centres to protect the health of customers and staff, including free vehicle collection and drop-off services, careful post-test cleaning and online booking forms. The penalty for driving without an MOT can be up to £1000, so if your car’s MOT is set to expire in the next few weeks, it’s best to book it in for a test now, while you still definitely can. Do I still need to pay the Congestion Charge or ULEZ entry fee? Central London's Congestion Charge (£11.50 per day) and ULEZ entry fee (£12.50) have been suspended indefinitely as part of a drive to reduce crowding on the city’s diminished public transport offering. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the move will also make it easier for key workers, such as NHS and supermarket staff, to get to work. A total of 40 underground stations have now been closed, while bus and mainline train services in and around the capital have been heavily reduced. Announcements will be made before the Congestion Charge and ULEZ entry fee are reinstated. What do I do if I've booked a driving test? The DVSA has suspended practical driving tests for up to three months, with the exception of those booked by critical workers, including NHS workers and goods delivery drivers. Any booked tests will be automatically rescheduled at no cost to the learner, who will be notified of the new date by email around two weeks before the original scheduled test. ~ Driving theory tests have been cancelled for one month. The DVSA will issue refunds for any tests that had been booked and continues to take bookings for test slots from 21 April onwards. Is now a good time to buy a new car? Dealerships had, by and large, announced temporary closures even before the Prime Minister forced all non-essential retailers to shut down. Lookers, one of the UK’s largest multi-marque dealer groups, said yesterday (24 March): “It has become clear that maintaining safe social distancing measures whilst continuing to operate car dealerships has become increasingly difficult. Against this background and with the support of our OEM brand partners, the Group is temporarily closing all of its trading locations with immediate effect.” Rival firms including Sytner, Marshall Motor Group, HR Owen and Chorley Group, as well as many smaller dealers, have all now closed their doors for the time being. Online platforms, such as our sister title What Car?'s New Car Buying service, remain in operation, offering buyers the ability to specify and order a new car without violating the self-isolation rules. It’s worth bearing in mind, however, that much of the European, US and Asian manufacturing sectors remain in a state of shutdown, so waiting times for new cars are likely to be significantly extended. Can I still buy a used car or go to an auction house? Various sources have reported a huge spike in online searches for used cars costing less than £2000 as second-hand dealerships and auction houses are forced to move to a digital sales model to limit person-to-person contact. From 26 March, BCA, the UK’s largest used car auction chain, will host all of its events online, with prospective buyers invited to place their bids via a dedicated website or app. Punters can also take their chances with a used car from the internet’s still thriving array of private sales platforms, including Gumtree, eBay and Facebook Marketplace. It goes without saying, however, that buyers should take every precaution possible when viewing or picking up a used car: stay a safe distance from the seller, disinfect the interior thoroughly and don’t spend more time out of the house than you absolutely have to. The most important thing to remember is this: if you can wait to buy a car until after the outbreak, you should.

Cars built before 1978 will not have to have an MOT test from next month The Department for Transport will make cars that were built more than 40 years ago exempt from MOT Testing next month, with owners voluntarily electing to have their car checked if they feel it needs one. Currently, only cars built before 1960 are exempt, representing 197,000 cars on UK roads. The new rules, which come into force on 20 May, will exempt a further 293,000 cars from MOTs. The thinking behind the decision, according to the DfT, is that these cars are “usually maintained in good condition and used on few occasions”. The decision also eases concerns that garages might not be adequately testing cars over this age, because the modern MOT applies less to cars of this age. The new date would also bring the age of cars exempt from MOTs in line with the exemption from road tax. The Government dismissed concerns that these cars pose a greater risk of failure than modern ones; cars registered in the interim period between the old exemption and the upcoming exemption have a substantially lower rate of failure than the national average. “We consider the element of risk arising from taking vehicles over 40 years old out of the testing regime is small. The option for owners to submit their vehicles to a voluntary MOT test will remain and they will still, like all vehicle owners, need to ensure that they meet the legal requirement of keeping their vehicle in a roadworthy condition at all times.” Of the 2217 respondents consulted for the proposal, more than half supported the suggested annual or biennial roadworthiness test for 40-year-old vehicles, checking the cars’ identity, brakes, steering, tyres and lights. The DfT has rejected this approach, saying: “Those owners who feel an annual check is needed will be able to submit their vehicles for a voluntary MOT.” A stronger majority voted against exemption of vehicles aged 30 years or older from MOT tests; the DfT sided with the consultation on this proposal, citing accident data as well as the strong negative reaction from the public to this suggestion.