Carte Gris

February 4, 2009 Longrider French Matters 4

This morning was spent obtaining a Carte Gris for the Scenic. Now, I had done my homework and gathered all of the relevant documents together. Following the instructions given on the Total France site (along with similar information provided by other sources), I had gathered together the V5 log book, the original sales form, an electricity bill and my passport. That, I thought, should be the lot.

Mrs L and I had some difficulty locating the Sous Préfecture, although, once you know where it is, it’s pretty obvious. We went to the window labelled “carte gris” and presented the documents. There was some paper shuffling and a form was produced on which the clerk highlighted the documents I had produced. I needed to go away and photocopy the EDF bill and the passport as he wouldn’t do it. I also needed a quittes fiscal which puzzled me somewhat. Despite reading the linked document several times, I didn’t expect to have to get this separately – after all, I was at the Sous Préfecture and this was something they should produce as part of the process, surely? Nope. Apparently not. We had to go to the Hôtel Des Impôts. I had misread the document – the Sous Préfecture may issue the quittes fiscale but you have to go to the Hôtel Des Impôts to collect it. Confused? I was.

The clerk explained where we had to go, but my French struggled to keep up with his rapid speech, so in the end, we went to the tourist office and asked there. A paper map with the Hôtel Des Impôts marked on it later, we were on our way. Another little office and another clerk and more paper shuffling and form filling. Why, I wonder, does French officialdom want to know what my profession is to issue me with a document for my vehicle? Still, at least he photocopied the documents for us for the Sous Préfecture.

Back to the Sous Préfecture with the quittes fiscale and the photocopies required for the bureaucracy and we were issued with the carte gris and relieved of a cheque for €208.

I’ve ordered my number plates, so, now all I need to do is sort out the insurance.

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You need:

  • V5 from the UK.
  • Original invoice (If you have it. If not, they seem pretty relaxed about it – when we mentioned that we did not have this for the Clio or the BMW, we were told “pas un problème”)
  • A “demande identification” You complete this and send it to the relevant manufacturer’s office in France – a list is here. They will provide you with a document that you use to complete the “Demande de certificat d’immatriculation d’un véhicule”. They may make a charge for this. BMW wanted €16. Renault were a little more greedy and relieved us of €135 per vehicle.
  • A “Demande de certificat d’immatriculation d’un véhicule” Complete this before going to the Sous Préfecture.
  • Proof of residence – a utility bill for example (photocopy required).
  • Passport or driving licence (photocopy required).
  • Quittes Fiscale obtain this from the Hôtel Des Impôts before going to the Sous Préfecture.
  • Contrôle technique. If the vehicle is four years or older, you need one of these. A local garage should be able to do this – look for signs that they do Contrôle technique.
  • A cheque for €208.
  • Go to a local garage with your new number and get your plaques d’immatriculation made up.
  • C’est tout.

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Update: When we registered the Clio, it cost another €36 – so it seems that cost is dependent on the vehicle. It will be interesting to see what the bike costs.
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4 Comments

  3. Ah the delights of French bureaucracy.

    In a matter I know a little about – the registration of foreign companies in various EU countries – the myth of commonly observed laws in a “common market” (except for us) is definitively exploded. In the UK, to register a newly formed foreign company all you need do is submit to Companies House a simple form (BR1) + a copy of the company’s Articles (or equivalent) certified by the authority incorporating the company (officially translated into English if necessary) + cheque for £20: easy – company is registered as an “oversea” company in about 4 working days.

    In theory (and in law) the equivalent process should be followed in France with equivalent results. In theory, no doubt: in practice, possible but it can take weeks (or months) against a determination by every bureaucrat to make it as difficult as possible. There are very clear advantages in trading in France through a UK incorporated company and the French know this, hence the “difficulties”. Mind you the French are amateurs in this kind of obstructionism compared to the Italians and the Germans. The Spanish are a bit more cooperative but, there again, they are big on retrospective tax legislation particularly for foreign entities so, frankly, I wouldn’t bother.

    Interesting that the generally law-abiding – internationally: the UK in the EU and nationally: the non-scrote “good citizen” section of the UK population – get screwed bigtime by the so-called upholders of the law.

    PS apologies for any mistakes since the “preview” facility has disappeared.

  4. PS apologies for any mistakes since the “preview” facility has disappeared.

    Yes, since the transfer it hasn’t worked properly – however, there is an edit facility that does.

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