New travel regulations for under 18's

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  • 19th February 2017 at 2:54 pm #116880

    Just a word of warning, my 17 year old and his friend, also 17  (18 in two months) were turned away  from the ferry last night for not having the new documents required by all under 18’s to travel alone, since January.

    The new regulations are here:

    http://www.htlcnetwork.com/index.php/component/k2/item/275-new-rules-for-2017-on-minors-travelling-alone-in-france

    Unfortunately, when they were booking their tickets on BF, as they do frequently to travel to downhill races in the UK, their ages were not enough to flag up this demand, so they turned up as usual, unloaded the bikes, got to check in. Luckily, I was having a coffee, so they rang me to come back into the Ferry Terminal. These are two young men, with  return tickets, bikes,  who are Sapeur Pompiers in their spare time, with documents to prove that they could save lives – who were stopped from leaving the country because the Douanes had no proof they had parental authorisation. They did this all last year without a murmur, now they are blocked.

    Admittedly, they ARE on the ferry website, but as a side bar with all the other regulations on pets, assisted travel and babies, and as the lads book their own tickets I do not get involved. :scratch:

    I will save you the conversations, but suffice to say, for all of you who ship their offspring back to England and Ireland over the summer without previously have a care other than tickets and passports, think again.

    Here is the link for the ONLY form accepted, original, with a copy of your passport.

    https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1359

     

     

     

    19th February 2017 at 4:07 pm #116928

    My goodness, Seahorse , that may cause a few problems for people who are not aware of the change in regulations. Good job you were having that coffee! :rose:

    19th February 2017 at 6:27 pm #117081

    True BV, and we looked further into this; Under 16’s have to be accompanied by an over 18 year old adult……but the 17 year olds are in a  grey area with no specific regulations. In fact the BF british site says that no 16 year olds will be allowed to travel without an adult……which he and his mates did all last year between Brittany and Wales doing downhill bike racing. And no adult in sight.

    19th February 2017 at 6:59 pm #117157

    Seahorse, without going in to the BF site, does a 17yr old pay an adult fare or child fare?

    19th February 2017 at 7:03 pm #117165

    Adults on BF are 16.

    Outbound Sailing
    Adults (16 yrs+)
    Children (4-15 yrs)
    Infants (under 4 yrs)

    19th February 2017 at 7:08 pm #117177

    Thanks Gerry. Bloody typical, charge a 17yr old adult fare, then say they can’t travel alone because they are classed as children. Seahorse, if they were charged as adults for the tickets, I’d be challenging BF about it.

    19th February 2017 at 7:11 pm #117185

    That was a copy and paste at 2 minutes past 7, so they haven’t altered their prices as yet :scratch:

    Anonymous
    19th February 2017 at 7:16 pm #117197

    It does seem a misnomer doesn’t it? To, on the one hand, refer to them as minors for the purpose of this regulation but adults for the purpose of the fare!

    As Blue said Seahorse – good job you were having that coffee!

    20th February 2017 at 9:09 am #117383

    They are always charged as adults. Never had a reduction in fare for them….seems to be two forces operating here. First BF policies on ‘children’ and then Frances new travel regs.

    As I said in the first post, lots of 17 year olds are packed off on holidays to waiting grannies and aunties without anyone giving a thought to them being given ‘permission’.

    Just be warned.

    20th February 2017 at 9:18 am #117397

    They are old enough to do this, but not travel alone, poor lambs !! :yahoo:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zuoHbu898Y

     

     

    Anonymous
    20th February 2017 at 10:36 am #117415

    You can get an authorisation to leave the territory from your mairie.

    It was always necessary up until 2013, when it was dropped. Brought back in to prevent minors heading off to be jihadists in Syria.

    21st February 2017 at 9:28 am #118138

    I can see your point VG and know the authorities are trying to curb a difficult situation. But two SPV’s with bikes, and return tickets….and one of them brought their Mummy with them ? :wacko:

    Anyway, they are now safely in Wales, about to hurl themselves off black runs and cliff tops. I don’t have to worry about jihadism, just broken limbs and wrecked digits (yes, been there, at the doctors with a bloodied hand wrapped in a tea towel and ice and the medecin musing ‘I dont think he needs to go to urgences….yet ‘…..but that’s another story)

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