Car Importation and Registration in France

If you're planning to live in France for longer than six months, you'll have to formally register your automobile in France and get a French registration plate. If you wish to do so, you'll have to follow the steps below.

First, you'll have to get in contact with your local "Direction Régionale de l'Environnement, de l'Aménagement et du Logement" (DREAL) branch office, so as to purchase the list of all of 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'll be requested to offer the following documents.

1. "Rapport de controle technique" (MOT test report)
The inspection is necessary in case your automobile has been used for more than four years. This document will show that your automobile has passed the official inspection and meets the French technical requirements. This inspection, which lasts about forty five minutes, might be conducted in any of the 4900 licensed centres in France. In 2008, inspections turned more thorough, with 141 check points. Costs have gone up by 30%, and you should count on to pay between €40 and €60.

2. "Attestation de conformité" (Certificates of conformity)
You'll be able to ask a automotive-supplier, a French importer or the manufacturer directly. As soon as your car has been confirmed to match the technical requirements in France, you will obtain the "attestation de conformité". This certificates is proof that your vehicle has certainly been issued by the manufacturer and is fit for use on French roads.

3. A proof of identification and residence
Your passport or national ID card and a French electricity or water invoice in your name will suffice.

4. A proof of VAT payment. With a view to use your car in France, you'll have to show that you've paid the VAT within the automobile's nation of origin. If your automotive has travelled more than 6000 miles and when you have owned it for more than 6 months, this should not be tough to acquire. You will have to bring the present car registration, your passport, a French utility bill in your name and, ideally, the automobile's buy invoice to the native tax office, "Centre Des Impots" in French.

5. The unique registration documents
You will also want the automotive's British registration documents.

6. A proof of possession
Finally, you will have to deliver the proof that you indeed personal the car, with a sale certificate for example, though the registration in your name will suffice.

When you may have collected all these paperwork, you are now able to complete a "Demande de certificat d'immatriculation" (registration certificate enquiry). The document's official name is "certificate d'immatriculation" but may be very typically referred to as a "carte grise" (grey card). You ought to be aware that the document will not be delivered immediately, and you will be supplied with a short lived document. Any garage can be able to put in your new French registration plates.

If you wish to buy a new automotive in France, the automotive-supplier will offer you the "carte grise".

When you purchase a second-hand automobile, you need to ensure that it already has a carte grise. The old one shall be cancelled and you'll have to apply for a new one within the first 2 weeks of your purchase.