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What, if any, adjustments are required to the adaptive headlights when driving in France?
Welcome to the forum
having a few friends as well customs in your country that Q&A needs to be asked directly with the MOT inspector. Otherwise, you may do an adjustment that could end up with a fine or delayed registration on your Mazda.
You might contact your Mazda dealership but whatever there answer I would still check with the MOT
From the owners manual of my CX-5 2023 with LED headlights:
Headlights do not blind drivers approaching in the opposite direction no matter what side
of the road you must drive your vehicle (left-hand or right-hand traffic). Therefore, it is
not necessary to adjust the optical axis of the headlights when switching temporarily to
driving on the opposite side of the road (left-hand or right-hand traffic)
I make no assumptions when someone ask a question that would be regarded as legal advice without knowing all the information. In this case the MOT is not Mazda so their rules and regulations may not be completely what is in the owner's manual from a manufacture regarding such things as head light elimination information.
Where did you get from one single #1 post the new member that they were a British tourist in France from???
Because the profile has GB??
Wait I know you asked....
Last edited by Callisto; Jul 16, 2025 at 05:05 PM.
Why would a rational Brit want to import a modern right-hand drive British car into France? It is downright dangerous to participate in French traffic with the steering wheel on the wrong side. It is also highly impractical when it comes to toll booths, parking machines, etc.
It is possible and legal, but not recommended for permanent use. It’s a different story, for example, with classic cars.
"highly impractical when it comes to toll booths"
Just spent 3 weeks in Japan and they don't give a rats which side you sit on and have toll lanes for both left and righthand drive. and they do have quiet a few cars from Europe there.
My concerns are the confusion. I'd hire a car myself having seen someone drive out of a petrol station and drive onto the wrong side of the road for some distance in a 100km area before an oncoming car made them realize they were on the wrong side of the road.
Headlights are only an issue if you intend to drive at night.
You need to contact the French roading authority/police for clarification.
Many holidaymakers from mainland Europe travel to the British Isles with their left-hand drive cars, and many Britons go on holiday to the mainland with their British (right-hand drive) cars.
We have plenty of experience with asymmetric dipped headlights and know what to do after crossing the Channel - there's no need to ask the French roading authority or police about it.
Assuming the original poster is indeed a holidaymaker, the question is how to adjust this on their specific Mazda model. It's more of a technical question.
Last edited by hsdejong; Jul 18, 2025 at 12:24 AM.
ENGLISHMAN: It is I and Englishman, and these are my drivers of the CX-5. Whose castle is this?
FRENCHMEN: This is the castle of my master, Estaban Ocon.
ENGLISHMAN: Go and tell your master that we have been charged by God with a sacred quest. If he will give us the rules on headlight alignment he can join us in our quest.
FRENCHMEN: Well, I'll ask him, but I don't think he'll be very keen. Uh, he's already got a headlight, you see.
ENGLISHMAN: Are you sure he's got one?
FRENCHMEN: Oh, yes. It's very nice-a. (I told him we already got one.)
ENGLISHMAN: Well, u-- um, can we come up and have a look?
FRENCHMEN: Of course not! You are English types-a!
ENGLISHMAN: Well, what are you, then?
FRENCHMEN: I'm French! Why do think I have this outrageous accent, you silly blood sausage man?!
ENGLISHMAN: If you will not show us the headlight, we shall take to your roads by force!
FRENCHMEN: You don't frighten us, English pig-dogs! Go and boil your bottom, sons of a silly person. I blow my nose at you, so-called Englishman, you and all your silly English seee-x-fivas....
ENGLISHMAN: Now look here, my good man--
FRENCHMEN: I don't wanna talk to you no more, you empty headed animal food trough wiper! I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries! Now, go away, or I shall taunt you a second time-a!
