Car Registration

Car Registration

“Carte grise” – Car Registration in France and bringing over a car from England or America.

The « Carte Grise » is what the Registration Certificate is called in France. (A pink slip, or owners certificate in the USA.) It is required that every car on the road here in Savoie, France, and throughout Europe, carry one in the glovebox.

Since June 2004, the Car Registration Certificate became European meaning comprehensive and common information for all member states of the European Union. And since October 2009, the user has the possibility of registering online.

Here is the French government’s site for everything and anything administrative. In French though

http://www.interieur.gouv.fr

Registering your car in France

 This is the link to obtain the necessary forms for registering your car.

http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/A-votre-service/Mes-demarches/Transports/Certificat-d-immatriculation-ex-carte-grise

All in French though I have tried to explain as simple as possible with the following.

As soon as you have a permanent address in France you must register your car. They say you have 1 month to do so. If you don’t, you risk getting a ticket that is normally 135€ but can go as high as 750€.

You must visit your local « Prefecture » or  « Sous Prefecture ».

Préfecture de Savoie http://www.savoie.gouv.fr

Le Château Ducs de Savoie, 73000 Chambéry

04 79 75 50 00

Required documents. (The originals and copies just in case.)

• The completed form Cerfa n°13750*03 . https://www.formulaires.modernisation.gouv.fr/gf/cerfa_13750_05.do?jeton=Ry0wFgFQt_MzuQFQxUddf1Qa
• The original Registration or owners Certificate from the country where the car was previously registered.
• Passport, or an Identification card.
• Proof of address, you rental contract, or bill that shows your name and the address together. Normally they ask for a telephone or electricity bill. The bill must be from within the last 3 months.
• Money to pay the registration fee, cash, credit card or check. The cost of Registration is variable depending on your car and it’s options. Here’s a link to calculate your particular cost. http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/A-votre-service/Mes-demarches/Transports/Certificat-d-immatriculation-ex-carte-grise/Immatriculer-un-vehicule/Cout-du-certificat-d-immatriculation-carte-grise – sp-chapitre-calcul-du-cout-de-votre-certificat
• If your car is older than 4 years you must get it check out at a Contrôle Technique garage. Here’s one just in case. http://www.controle-technique-chambery.autosecurite.com
• And the “control” must have taken place no more longer than 6 months before asking for registration. If there are things that must be repaired on your car you only have 2 months to do so and to get back to the “Contrôle Technique” for a last OK. They say you can send the information by mail but I think it’s better to go in and wait, and hand everything over to a real person so there isn’t any confusion. Get the persons name so you can find them again if ever…. And maybe a stamp.

Don’t forget a book too!

You must a have a paper, certificat provisoire d’immatriculation (CPI), proof that you have started the process of getting a « Carte Grise », to be legally on the road. The cashier at the « Préfecture » will give you one, another good reason to go through the « Préfecture ». I have read that some Départements (Sous Prefecture) don’t give out the CPI in which case you won’t be able to drive your car till you receive the permanent Carte Grise.

If your vehicle was not manufactured in the European Commune, your will have another step to complete which requires a visit to the D.I. R.I. E.

They will have to certify that the vehicle comforms to all E.C. standards. This can be a lengthy, and costly experience if your car, motorcycle or truck happens to be made in a country where standards are different than they are in Europe. You will be required to make the changes to the vehicle so that it will be conforming.

Here are some good and interesting sites for more in depth information:

www.driving-in.com, www.aboutfrance.com, www.fusac.fr/driving-in-France/, www.france.angloinfo.com/transport/driving/, www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/driving-abroad-whats-new-2012.html