Welcome to Living France.com

A web site dedicated to living in France from an expatriate viewpoint

Motoring and Car Owning.

Outside the major Towns & Cities, a car is not essential, but it helps!

Drive on the right! That is rule no. 1.

If you are thinking of importing your UK right hand drive car into France, there are a number of points to consider:

1. Most importantly, your steering wheel will be on the "wrong" side of the car. Personally, I don't at all mind - when we drive to the UK we have the same situation in reverse and I do not find it a handicap. It may affect insurance premiums, so check with your insurer or a French insurer.
2. If you intend to keep the car here it will need to be modified to pass the French "Controle Technique" - usually involving just changing the headlamp units for ones which dip to the right. Following that you can apply for a Carte Grise to register the car in France.
3. Check the VAT situation; if you have owned the car for less than 6 months, you may be liable for VAT on the value of the vehicle, similarly, if you sell a vehicle within 12 months of importig it, you may be liable for VAT and other duties.

With all the hassles, you may find it easier to sell the car before leaving and buy another in France - we did that and have not regretted doing it that way.

Buying a car in France is much as in the UK - and car dealers have a similar reputation! Once again, as with so many aspects of life, try to get a personal recommendation.

Having found your vehicle, you will need insurance, which is expensive in France. There are plenty of insurance agents so shop around. A valid insurance vignette must be displayed on the windscreen.

Cars over 4 years old must pass a Controle Technique - like the MOT test - every 2 years. The test used to be pretty lax, but has recently been tightened to cover many more aspects. If you wish to sell a vehicle, it must be tested within the six months prior to the sale.

There is no longer an annual road tax for privately owned cars.

If you are intending to stay in France for a period exceeding 12 months you must, within the 12 month period, exchange your present driving licence for a French Permis de Conduire. If you hold a driving licence from an EU member country you may simply exchange your existing licence. (You may be asked for an official translation of the licence or confirmation from your Embassy/Consulate that it is in order: this is no longer strictly necessary under EU law, but not all French bureaucrats know this! For non-EU licences, you will have to pass the French driving test. EU licence holders who pass the 12 month limit may also have to face the test; it depends on the particular bureaucrat - and remember that he doesn't know exactly when you entered France!