Car Importation and Registration in France
If you're planning to live in France for longer than six months, you will have to officially register your car in France and get a French registration plate. If you want to take action, you'll have to observe the steps below.
First, you will have to get in touch with your native "Direction Régionale de l'Environnement, de l'Aménagement et du Logement" (DREAL) branch office, as a way to acquire the list of all of the documents required for a French registration and the reception of the "Carte grise", the official French automobile ID card. As a overseas citizen, you will be requested to supply the following documents.
1. "Rapport de controle approach" (MOT test report)
The inspection is mandatory in case your automobile has been used for more than 4 years. This document will prove that your car has passed the official inspection and meets the French technical requirements. This inspection, which lasts about forty five minutes, could 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 it's best to anticipate to pay between forty and 60.
2. "Attestation de conformité" (Certificates of conformity)
You'll be able to ask a automotive-seller, a French importer or the producer directly. As soon as your automobile has been proven to match the technical requirements in France, you'll receive the "attestation de conformité". This certificates is proof that your automobile has indeed been issued by the manufacturer and is match for use on French roads.
3. A proof of id and residence
Your passport or nationwide ID card and a French electricity or water invoice in your name will suffice.
4. A proof of VAT payment. So as to use your automobile in France, you will have to show that you've paid the VAT in the car's nation of origin. If your automobile has travelled more than 6000 miles and when you've got owned it for more than 6 months, this shouldn't be troublesome to acquire. You'll have to convey the prevailing automobile 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 paperwork
You will also want the automobile's British registration documents.
6. A proof of possession
Finally, you will have to deliver the proof that you indeed own the automotive, with a sale certificates for instance, though the registration in your name will suffice.
When you might have collected all these documents, you are now able to complete a "Demande de certificat d'immatriculation" (registration certificates enquiry). The document's official name is "certificates d'immatriculation" but could be very often referred to as a "carte grise" (gray card). You have to be aware that the document will not be delivered immediately, and you can be supplied with a brief document. Any garage will be able to install your new French registration plates.
If you wish to purchase a new automobile in France, the automobile-dealer will give you the "carte grise".
If you happen to buy a second-hand car, you must make sure that it already has a carte grise. The old one might be cancelled and you will have to apply for a new one throughout the first 2 weeks of your purchase.