How to Register a Car in France (Guide for Expats)

If you’ve recently moved to France or purchased a car here, registering it correctly is essential before you can drive legally. Since 2017, all car registrations in France are processed entirely online via the ANTS portal (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés).

Whether your car is new, used, or imported from the UK, EU, or outside Europe, the process follows the same steps, but the required paperwork differs.

Create Your ANTS Account

Start by visiting ants.gouv.fr. You can log in using:

FranceConnect – recommended (uses your tax, Ameli, or La Poste account)
A standard ANTS login

Your ANTS account lets you register vehicles, change ownership, and download provisional or final registration certificates (carte grise).

Know the Legal Deadlines

The deadlines depends on your situation:

If you buy a used car in France

You have 1 month from the date of purchase to complete the registration in your name.

If you import a vehicle from another EU country or the UK

You must register the car within 1 month of obtaining the Quitus Fiscal (the tax clearance certificate issued by your local tax office), not from the day the car enters France.

This is important because many imports, especially UK vehicles, require extra steps such as obtaining a COC (Certificate of Conformity) or performing an RTI inspection at DREAL. These procedures often take several weeks, meaning the realistic registration timeline is longer than 30 days.

If you move to France with your foreign-registered car

The same rule applies:

The 1-month countdown begins once you receive the Quitus Fiscal, not on the day you arrive in France.
This gives new residents time to gather documents, complete customs steps when necessary, and schedule technical inspections.

Failing to complete the registration after the legal deadline has passed can result in on-the-spot fines and the vehicle being considered non-compliant during a police check.

Documents Required

The paperwork depends on where your car comes from. Below are the current official requirements.

A – Vehicle Purchased in France

Cerfa 13750*07 – Application for Registration (Demande de certificat d’immatriculation)
Proof of identity – passport, EU ID card, or residence permit
Proof of address less than 6 months old (utility bill, rental contract, tax notice)
Proof of ownership – invoice or certificat de cession (Cerfa 15776*) + old carte grise crossed and signed
French insurance certificate (attestation d’assurance) – you must insure the car before driving
Contrôle Technique – for cars over 4 years old (valid < 6 months or 2 months after a re-check)
Power of attorney (Cerfa 13757) if someone applies for you

B – Vehicle Imported from the EU / UK

Everything above, plus:

Certificate of Conformity (COC) – proves EU compliance. If you don’t have one, approval may require UTAC technical testing followed by an RTI inspection at DREAL/DRIEAT.
Quitus Fiscal (Tax Clearance Certificate) – issued by your local Service des Impôts. Required even when no VAT is due.

C – Vehicle Imported from Outside the EU (USA, Canada, Asia etc.)

Additional documents:

Customs Certificate 846A – proof that import duties and VAT were paid.
COC or RTI approval – non-EU cars often need technical modifications and inspection at a DREAL centre before registration.

Register Your Car Online on ANTS

Follow these seven steps carefully to avoid delays.

Step 1 – Log in

Step 2 – Start a New Request

Choose “Immatriculer un véhicule” then “Changement de titulaire” (for a used car) or “Autre demande” for imports and special cases.

Step 3 – Enter Vehicle Information

Have ready: VIN number, previous registration, purchase date, and seller details.

Step 4 – Upload Documents

Upload clear scans or photos of all documents (front and back). Non-French documents should include official translations.

Step 5 – Pay the Registration Tax

Your fee depends on:

The region’s cheval fiscal rate (varies by region)
Environmental tax (“malus écologique”) for high-emission vehicles
Fixed administrative fee (~ 11 €)
Plate replacement if a new number is assigned

Many regions offer discounts for electric vehicles or low-emission cars.

Step 6 – Download Your CPI (Provisional Certificate)

Once approved, download the Certificat Provisoire d’Immatriculation (CPI). This lets you drive legally while waiting for your final registration.

Validity: 1 month for most vehicles (extendable to 4 months for imports).

Step 7 – Receive Your Final Carte Grise

Your official registration certificate arrives by recorded mail, it can take several weeks to receive it. Keep it in your vehicle at all times.

Important Rules and Tips

✔ Insurance is mandatory before you drive, even with foreign plates.
✔ Don’t buy a car without a valid Contrôle Technique (roadworthiness inspection). Without it, you can’t register.
✔ Keep originals and receipts. ANTS may request them for verification.
✔ Foreign licences are accepted temporarily, but some must be exchanged depending on the country and duration of stay.
✔ Registration itself is fully online, but imported or modified vehicles may still require offline steps such as customs clearance, DREAL/DRIEAT inspections, or UTAC certification before ANTS approval.

The ANTS portal is efficient but can be daunting if your French is limited or you’re registering an imported vehicle. Errors often cause delays or application rejections.

💡 If you need assistance with registering your vehicle, get in touch with Alex from FAV Services, a trusted partner who helps expats handle the full process quickly and correctly. Alex can file your application on your behalf as a certified professional (professionnel habilité ANTS).

Quick Checklist for Car Registration in France

✅ Cerfa 13750*07 (form)
✅ Proof of identity
✅ Proof of address (< 6 months)
✅ Proof of ownership (invoice or certificat de cession)
✅ Old carte grise (if applicable)
✅ French insurance certificate
✅ Contrôle Technique (< 6 months)
✅ COC or RTI approval (imports)
✅ Quitus Fiscal (EU imports)
✅ 846A customs certificate (non-EU imports)
✅ Payment card for fees

To Wrap it All Up

Registering a car in France is straightforward once you know which documents to prepare and how to navigate the ANTS platform. By completing the steps within the legal deadline, you avoid fines and ensure your vehicle is fully compliant with French law.