English motors in France

[Admiral]

Having had our aged English Land Rover creak to its final standstill after 16 years of service we have brought a motor out from England.

But.....back in the day we were told we had six months to get the Land Rover onto French plates, insurance, CT etc.  Which we duly did because we're really good like that.  When in Rome.....

Obviously we were going to go down the same route with the current car but I'm told by several folk that the law has changed and there is no need to turn the car into a French voiture as long as it is taxed, insured and MOT'd in England.

Can someone shed some light on this and clear my rather fogged-up windscreen.

[little Al]

Ready to be shot down in flames, but here goes...........
My understanding, after a zillion hours of research, seems to say.........
If you are french resident, then after importing a car, you have 6 months grace to get it registered on french plates.If on GB plates, then you can successfully get a CT (control technique) with the wrong headlights etc in the first year, but the following time it WILL fail on headlights............the first time they only considered you as an "interim" in the process of conformity.
If you fail to get a CT /don`t try , then you need the annual MOT from GB (pain to go back)..................if you attempt to skirt between the two systems/ambiguity of where you live (if you have 2 addresses, and avoid the issue of actual legality of definition of residency !!), then there will be no issue until you have an accident, (when you will find your english or french insurance wont pay )or are stopped randomly by the Gendarmes............at which point you can argue in English/French until the cows come home, as you will find you have broken the law, and WILL pay the penalty.

[Fred]

No one will shoot you down Little Al. Around Montmorillon is about sharing information and that is what you post is doing. I found it good advice myself as I registered my car 12 years ago and things have changed.

If anyone does shoot you down, let me know as Around Montmorillon is a friendly place and I want it kept that way.

[Admiral]

Thanks little Al.

If  I understand your post correctly then the car has to be registered, MOT/CT, insurance etc etc, in one system.  No in-betweens pretending you're neither here nor there in either system.  I agree with you when it comes to our Gendarme friends - arguing that the car is neither in one place or another just won't work but will bring a hefty roadside fine.  They always seem to be strapped for cash.

Thanks again.

By the way.......I'm with Fred.  If anyone tries to shoot you down in flames they have no place on this forum and might get a visit from Madame Admiral.  She's half German and doesn't take prisoners.  Just saying......  

[Fred]

By the way.......I'm with Fred.  If anyone tries to shoot you down in flames they have no place on this forum and might get a visit from Madame Admiral.  She's half German and doesn't take prisoners.  Just saying......  

[chris_and_julie]

Ready to be shot down in flames, but here goes...........
If you are french resident, then after importing a car, you have 6 months grace to get it registered on french plates.If on GB plates, then you can successfully get a CT (control technique) with the wrong headlights etc in the first year, but the following time it WILL fail on headlights............the first time they only considered you as an "interim" in the process of conformity.

Update - May 2017.  Car on UK plates failed on first ever CT at Autosur in Montmorillon on lights.  Chap was apologetic but said had to be compliant.

So I know I can buy the lights on eBay etc (approx 200 Euros) but who is good to fit them locally and adjust them correctly?  Or does someone do a package of sourcing and fitting?

Thanks Chris

[Fred]

Update - May 2017.  Car on UK plates failed on first ever CT at Autosur in Montmorillon on lights.  Chap was apologetic but said had to be compliant.

So I know I can buy the lights on eBay etc (approx 200 Euros) but who is good to fit them locally and adjust them correctly?  Or does someone do a package of sourcing and fitting?

Thanks Chris

Hello Chris, I don't know if it helps but our car didn't have an alternative headlight so I found out another car make would fit. So I got them from https://www.mister-auto.com/ fitted them myself (easy job with a screwdriver), I set them up roughly and took the car to Norauto. They set them up correctly. I told Autosure that Norauto had set them up.  

I no longer use Norauto and I'm sure most garages would be able to adjust them for you or fit them if you don't fancy trying.

Good luck.