Independent motoring guide
Vehicle paperwork in France, explained step by step
Find the procedure that matches your situation, from carte grise registration to buying, selling, importing, and updating your vehicle documents.
Popular guides
Start with the procedure you need
Choose the paperwork category that matches your situation. Each guide lists the documents to prepare and links to the relevant official service.
Transfers
Carte grise transfer
How the registration certificate changes hands after a sale, with the documents each party should prepare.
New vehicles
New vehicle registration
The general steps and supporting papers involved when a vehicle is registered for the first time in France.
Updates
Address change
What to update on your registration certificate after moving, and which documents to keep with you.
Our independence
An independent guide, not an official service
Le Guide de l'Immatriculation is not affiliated with the French State, France Titres, or ANTS. We prioritize official French sources, check procedures, documents, fees, and timelines before publication, show update dates, and link you to the official service where each procedure is completed.
Latest articles
Recent practical guides
Seasonal rules
Checking your vehicle documents before a trip
A short checklist of the papers to keep in the car and the points to verify before a longer journey. Last checked date shown on each article.
Import dossiers
Preparing the supporting documents for an imported vehicle
An overview of the justifying documents typically requested when a foreign vehicle is brought into France, with links to official sources.
