Car Importation and Registration in France

If you are planning to live in France for longer than six months, you'll have to officially register your vehicle in France and get a French registration plate. If you wish to do so, you will have to comply with the steps below.

First, you'll have to get in touch together with your native "Direction Régionale de l'Environnement, de l'Aménagement et du Logement" (DREAL) department office, in order to purchase the listing of all the paperwork required for a French registration and the reception of the "Carte grise", the official French car ID card. As a overseas citizen, you will be requested to provide the following documents.

1. "Rapport de controle method" (MOT test report)
The inspection is obligatory in case your automobile has been used for more than 4 years. This document will show that your vehicle has passed the official inspection and meets the French technical requirements. This inspection, which lasts about 45 minutes, may be carried out in any of the 4900 certified centres in France. In 2008, inspections became more thorough, with 141 check points. Prices have gone up by 30%, and you should count on to pay between €forty and €60.

2. "Attestation de conformité" (Certificates of conformity)
You may ask a automotive-dealer, a French importer or the producer directly. Once your automotive has been proven to match the technical standards in France, you'll receive the "attestation de conformité". This certificates is proof that your automobile has indeed been issued by the producer and is fit to be used on French roads.

3. A proof of identification and residence
Your passport or nationwide ID card and a French electrical energy or water bill in your name will suffice.

4. A proof of VAT payment. To be able to use your car in France, you'll have to show that you have paid the VAT in the car's nation of origin. If your automotive has travelled more than 6000 miles and you probably have owned it for more than 6 months, this shouldn't be troublesome to acquire. You will have to carry the present automobile registration, your passport, a French utility invoice in your name and, ideally, the car's purchase bill to the native tax office, "Centre Des Impots" in French.

5. The unique registration documents
Additionally, you will need the car's British registration documents.

6. A proof of ownership
Finally, you'll have to bring the proof that you certainly own the automotive, with a sale certificate for instance, though the registration in your name will suffice.

When you've gotten collected all these documents, you are actually able to finish a "Demande de certificat d'immatriculation" (registration certificates enquiry). The document's official name is "certificate d'immatriculation" however is very often referred to as a "carte grise" (grey card). You ought to be aware that the document isn't delivered instantly, and you will be provided with a short lived document. Any garage will likely be able to install your new French registration plates.

If you want to buy a new car in France, the automotive-seller will provide you with the "carte grise".

In the event you buy a second-hand car, it's best to ensure that it already has a carte grise. The old one shall be cancelled and you will have to apply for a new one throughout the first 2 weeks of your purchase.