How do you register a vehicle in France in 2026?

For a used car already on French plates, file the change of owner on ANTS within one month of purchase. You need identity, a recent proof of address, the old registration certificate with the sale section completed, insurance attestation, and a licence for the vehicle category. An authorised garage can file for you.

For a vehicle arriving from another EU country, gather the foreign registration document, a European certificate of conformity (COC) from the manufacturer when required, proof of purchase, French insurance, and a quitus fiscal from the personal tax service showing VAT formalities are cleared. Vehicles over four years old usually need a technical inspection less than six months old under the published rules. Pay the regional registration tax online when ANTS calculates it.

Non-EU imports normally need customs clearance, often evidenced by form 846A, after duties and VAT are settled unless an exemption applies. If the car lacks EU conformity evidence, a DREAL individual approval (réception à titre isolé) can be required before ANTS will finish the title. Do not assume a foreign inspection report replaces a French contrôle technique when Service-Public says a French one is needed.

Log into ANTS with FranceConnect or a France Titres account, upload clear scans, and print the certificat provisoire d'immatriculation (CPI). The CPI lets you drive in France for one month while the final card is mailed. Keep licence exchange on a parallel calendar if your foreign permit is only temporary after residence begins: Exchange a driving licence.

A car changes the monthly total outside dense metro cities: Utilities, internet and transport. Tax and bank access help with quitus and card payments: Get a tax number and Open a bank account. Wider arrival order: Paperwork after moving.