Car various topics
European law states that if you import a car in a European country where you intend to live permanently, you must get new number plates .
To get French plates, you must have a CERTIFICAT D'IMMATRICULATION (previously Carte grise).
To obtain this document, you must visit website service public.fr with the documents below :
- Demande de certificat d'immatriculation ( Cerfa 13750 07 )
- Certificate of conformity from the manufacturer of your vehicle (evidence that your complies with French rules)
- Your existing registration documents
- Quitus fiscal : tax certificate (modèle 1993 VT REC) issued by the local tax office
- French Contrôle technique (MOT) if the car is more than 4 years old
- Passport
- Last bill from Electricity board or any proof of address
- Your Credit card ...
Fees are based on where you live, the age of the vehicle, CO² emissions and Fiscal ratings (chevaux fiscaux).
Here is the estimate
You can no longer go to the PREFECTURE or SOUS PREFECTURE !!!
Remember to keep the DVLA informed !
This procedure can be far more complicated if the car is a vintage car for example (véhicule de collection).
How to obtain the Quitus fiscal ?
It is the evidence showing that the car complies with French VAT rules .
There is no fee but you must go to the Centre des impôts with :
- Your invoice or Certificat de cession for 2nd hand car ( Cerfa 13751-02 )
- Previous registration documents
- Passeport
- Latest EDF bill
French policies must legaly offer a Bonus / malus system.
You will have to provide your no claim history : we will assist you in getting the French bonus equivalent.
Please note : Banks and many insurers are not able to transfer your history so you will lose it and then pay a more expensive premium ....
When you are driving, you must always have with you :
- Car registration ( original and not a copy ... )
- Driving licence
- Green certificate of car insurance
- European Accident form ( European-Accident-Form-English-and-French)
- The MOT test ( Contrôle technique )
If you sell the car, you must :
- Have a recent motor vehicle inspection MOT ( Contrôle technique)
- Fill in the "certificat de cession" form and give one part of it to the Prefecture and the other part to the new owner
- Give the crossed-out " certificat d'immatriculation " to the new owner with mention " vendu le xx/xx/2xxx "
- Go to ANTS website to declare the transaction and receive a code
- Give the code to the new owner
Who can drive my car ?
- Anyone can drive except if you choose a "exclusive driver " policy ( conduite exclusive )
- A young driver ( under 23 without his own car insurance ) : if he causes an accident he will have a high franchise to pay
Where can I drive the car ?
- Anywhere in the world but only for short periods ( less than 3 months )
- The roadside assistance will follow you in the countries listed on back of your insurance certificate
All car policies include an assistance service.
Low cost insurers ( online insurers or banks ) usually provide only an accident cover. Their breakdown cover operates only over 25km from home ...