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Car importation and registration in France |
Article Submitted by: Matthieu Cany
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
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When moving to France, you will probably feel the need to bring your car with you, whether it is for a few weeks or for a permanent move. Since there has not been any synchronisation between European car registration systems, one should not believe that is fine to drive around France with a British car and a British registration plate. If you are planning to live in France for longer than six months, you will have to officially register your vehicle in France and get a French registration plate. If you wish to do so, you will have to follow the steps below. First, you will have to get in touch with your local "Direction Régionale de l'Environnement, de l'Aménagement et du Logement" (DREAL) branch office, in order to acquire the list of all the documents required for a French registration and the reception of the "Carte grise", the official French vehicle ID card. As a foreign citizen, you will be asked to provide the following documents. 1. "Rapport de controle technique" (MOT test report) The inspection is mandatory if your vehicle has been used for more than 4 years. This document will prove that your vehicle has passed the official inspection and meets the French technical requirements. This inspection, which lasts about 45 minutes, can be conducted 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 expect to pay between €40 and €60. 2. "Attestation de conformité" (Certificate of conformity) You can ask a car-dealer, a French importer or the manufacturer directly. Once your car has been proven to match the technical standards in France, you will receive the "attestation de conformité". This certificate is proof that your vehicle has indeed been issued by the manufacturer and is fit to be used on French roads. 3. A proof of identity and residence Your passport or national ID card and a French electricity or water bill in your name will suffice. 4. A proof of VAT payment. In order to use your car in France, you will have to prove that you have paid the VAT in the car's country of origin. If your car has travelled more than 6000 miles and if you have owned it for more than 6 months, this should not be difficult to acquire. You will have to bring the existing car registration, your passport, a French utility bill in your name and, ideally, the car's purchase invoice to the local tax office, "Centre Des Impots" in French. 5. The original registration documents You will also need the car's British registration documents. 6. A proof of ownership Finally, you will have to bring the proof that you indeed own the car, with a sale certificate for example, although the registration in your name will suffice. When you have collected all these documents, 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 is very often referred to as a "carte grise" (grey card). You should be aware that the document is not delivered immediately, and you will be provided with a temporary document. Any garage will be able to install your new French registration plates. If you want to buy a new car in France, the car-dealer will provide you with the "carte grise". If you buy a second-hand car, you should make sure it already has a carte grise. The old one will be cancelled and you will have to apply for a new one within the first 2 weeks of your purchase. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
Matthieu Cany is
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