My Choice Villas Blog

Letter from France

By ‘Nom de Plume de Normandy’

I’m not sure if it’s me getting older or that I am just always busy, but the time seems to fly by, as has another month.

I promised to give an insight into owning a car, when living in France. It really isn’t very much different to the UK except that there isn’t any road tax – I hear a loud cheer – you pay anyway but via a different method – general taxes.

UK, RH-drive, cars may be registered in France and driven without any problems from the Police or Authorities, however there are a few things worth knowing.

Before your final UK tax, MOT and/or insurance expires you must first obtain an ‘Import Licence’, (Certificat d’Acquisition), from your local French tax office. To do this you must take the logbook and proof of residency, a utility bill, together with your passport. The service is free but without this document you will not be able to re-register your car.

To obtain a ‘Carte Gris’, the French equivalent of a logbook, and to get a French registration number, you must go to your local Prefecture offices and get a copy of the relevant form, (Demande d’Identification – pour voiture particulière uniquement). Having completed the form take this, the log book, and the import document back to the Prefecture where they will issue you with a Carte Gris and a French registration number for the car. There is a fee involved and this varies according to whether or not you have, the relevant, original, manufacturer’s EEC conformancy, (Certificat de Conformité) document issued when the car was new.

If you car is 4 years old or more you will also need a ‘Contrôle Technique’ document, the French equivalent of an MOT certificate. You will also need an insurance document.

In the first instance it is worth going to the main dealer for your make of car and getting them to carry out the Contrôle Technique as they will know the ropes and know what to do if there are any problems i.e. re-testing etc. Assuming your car is in good condition passing the French ‘MOT’ shouldn’t be a problem as the requirements are much the same as in the UK. You will need the ‘MOT’ ‘pass’ document to apply for a Carte Gris.

After the first test subsequent tests are only required every 2 years unless you are told otherwise.

If your car is less than 4 years old the date for the first Contrôle Technique will be shown on the Carte Gris.

Once all the documents are complete and you have the Carte Gris, you can go to your service garage and order your French number plates.

Your local Prefecture office may be the one in the Department capital – mine is in Rouen – or it may be a sub-office. For instance Seine Maritime has 2 offices – one in Rouen and the other is in Dieppe.

Insurance can be bought direct from any appropriate Insurance Company or via your local bank. Beware – insurance cover varies considerably, although car insurance is based along much the same lines as in the UK, with a minimum legal requirement of 3^rd party. Before buying it is worth doing some research, and, don’t be afraid to ask questions. You will not be able to use your UK renewal notice to get a no-claims discount this will start from scratch as if you were a first-time insuree.

A useful website,

http://riviera.angloinfo.com/countries/france/cartegrise.asp#change,

although originally aimed at those moving to the South of France, has a lot of detailed information regarding driving in France. It is well worth a read and also contains information on what to do in the event of an accident.

Your UK driving licence can be retained, normally without limit, unless you are involved in an accident or infringe a traffic law, such as being caught for speeding. Although not strictly enforceable, the French Police will expect you to exchange your UK licence for a French one, especially after more than 1 years residence.

Again this is done at your local Prefecture office. You will need 2 passport photos. Having received your new licence, the Prefecture will take your old UK licence and return it to the UK. There is one main advantage in having a French licence in that there is no upper age limit as in the UK.

My experience of the Prefecture offices is that they are very friendly and helpful, and, everything can be done while you wait. Mine even has a passport photo machine on one of the floors, but, don’t expect them to speak English. If they do you will be in luck.

When you apply for your insurance make sure they give you a copy of the standard form to use in the event of an accident. If possible this is completed at the time of the accident and will help to speed your claim.

Also don’t forget to tell the DVLA you have exported your car or you may remain liable to UK Road Tax.

Finally, remember that in France, as in many other EU countries, you will need to carry a regulation warning triangle, a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher, although I have never been asked to show these.