DIRECTORATE

OF PROTOCOL                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                         

                                                                          

GUIDE

                                                                     _______                                                                     

to formalities and procedures in respect of motor vehicles registered in the diplomatic or consular special series

                                                                                                                      January 2005

C O N T E N T S

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Page

- Introduction:

                        Who? (beneficiaries of the system) When? (frequency)                   ……….3

- Purchase – Buying the vehicle:

      1)         Buying a new vehicle in a European Union Member State              ……….4

      2)         Importing a new or second hand vehicle from a

                  non-European Union country                                                           ……….4

3)                 Buying a second hand vehicle registered in the normal series

                        of a European Union Member State                                                   …...….5

      4)         Buying a second hand vehicle currently registered in a special series ….….5

- Vehicle registration (registration certificate – “carte grise”):

      1)         Formalities                                                                                        .………6

      2)         Change of address                                                                            ………..6

      3)         Persons authorised to drive vehicles registered in a special series    ………..6

- Disposal of a vehicle:

1)                Resale in France to a buyer intending to register the vehicle

            in a special series                                                                               ………..7

2)                 Resale in France to a buyer intending to register the vehicle in the normal series                                                                                                ………..8

3)        Resale in France to a buyer not entitled to a vehicle purchased

outside France and registered in a special series                              ………..9

4)        Permanent exportation of a vehicle registered in a special series     ……….11

5)     Destruction of a vehicle registered in a special series                ……….12

6)      Theft of a vehicle registered in a special series                          …….…12

- Useful addresses                                                                                                    ……….13

- Miscellaneous information                                                                                     ……….14

           

INTRODUCTION

WHO? (Beneficiaries of the system)  WHEN? (Frequency)

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Beneficiaries :

     Holders of CMD/D and CD/D special cards are entitled to a single vehicle.  However, diplomatic staff married to a non-French national may obtain CD series registration for a 2^nd vehicle.

     Holders of AT/D special cards are entitled to a single K series vehicle, whether married or unmarried.

Registration periods :

     Registrations in the CD and K special series are granted for a period of two years.

     Consequently, it is not possible to obtain another CD/K series registration during that time, except in the cases specified below.

     The two-year period runs from the date on which the permit for registration in a special series is issued by the Diplomatic Franchise Section of the French Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxation (Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects – Franchises Diplomatiques).

     Official vehicles are not affected by the two-year rule. 

     A CMD registered vehicle is regarded as the official vehicle of a Head of Diplomatic Mission, even when owned by the Ambassador in person, and is therefore not subject to the two-year registration period.

     If owner can substantiate that the vehicle has been stolen, destroyed or scrapped, a new special series registration is immediately obtainable.

     The two-year rule does not apply where the owner can substantiate that the last vehicle owned was purchased tax-inclusive in the European Union[1] and cleared in accordance with the customs regulations.

     Thus, new or second hand vehicles imported from a non-EU country continue to come under the two-year rule. (Excerpt from Note Verbale n° 6611/PRO/PID of 31.12.2003)

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                                                                       *    *

                                        PURCHASE - BUYING THE VEHICLE

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     Purchase arrangements for vehicles intended to be registered in a special series:

1)         Buying a new vehicle in a European Union Member State

You should fill both sides of the following documents:

- Application for registration of a motor vehicle in the CMD, CD or K series (form 2 bis) in six copies; on each copy, the signatures and the stamp of the Mission should be original, not photocopied.

- the certificate of exemption from VAT and excise – “Certificat d’exonération de la TVA et des droits d’accises” (form l) in six copies, each bearing the original, not photocopied, signature of the Permanent Representative or Chargé d’Affaires and stamp of the Mission;

           

and attach:

                       

-           the original of the invoice and two photocopies (with French translation if necessary). The vehicle price indicated on the VAT exemption form must be “ex works” ie without adding related costs (for making roadworthy, transport, provisional registration plates, fuel, anti-theft etching, etc.) or incidental costs.

-          2 copies of the insurance certificate from a company with an address in France (“carte verte”)

-          2 copies of the dealer’s provisional registration certificate (“carte grise provisoire”).

-          2 copies of the dealer’s certificate of conformity to type (some countries have not yet adopted this certificate).

 

For a vehicle purchased in France, you must ask the dealer for this “Certificat de conformité”, you will need it for subsequent resale of the vehicle in France.

2)         Importing a new or second-hand vehicle from a non-European Union country

            – treated as a tax-free vehicle.

You should fill both sides of the following documents:

- Application for registration of a motor vehicle in the CMD, CD or K series (form 2) in six copies (with original signatures and stamp);

and attach:

-          2 copies of the insurance certificate (“carte verte”) from a company with an address in France

-          2 copies of the registration certificate.

3)         Buying a second hand vehicle registered in the normal series of a

            European Union Member State – treated as a tax-inclusive vehicle

You should fill both sides of the following documents:

- Application for registration of a motor vehicle in the CMD, CD or K series (form 2 bis) in six copies (with original signatures and stamp);

and attach:

-          2 copies of the insurance certificate (“carte verte”) from a company with an address in France

-          2 copies of the registration certificate.

Remarks : the Z registration (for a vehicle owned by a person eligible for tax exemptions) has been abolished.

Documents certifying payment of tax in a European Union Member State are no longer required in connection with the application for registration, but are required for resale or tax procedures (customs clearance), in which case the vehicle is treated as tax-inclusive.

4)         Buying a second hand vehicle currently registered in a special series

You should fill both sides of the following documents:

- Application for registration of a motor vehicle in the CMD, CD or K series (form 2 bis) in six copies (with original signatures and stamp);

and attach:

-          2 copies of the insurance certificate (“carte verte”)from a company with an address in France

-          2 copies of the registration certificate (“carte grise”).

Important: Where applicable, depending on the number of vehicles with special registration to which you are entitled (l or 2 CD registered; l K registered),  your new application cannot be processed until the tax status of the previous vehicle is regularised (see section on “Disposal of a vehicle”, page 8).

     The application for a second registration must in all cases be submitted in the name of the diplomat in post (the spouse’s name should not appear on any document). 

*

*   *

     After transmission of your file by the Protocol Directorate of the Council of Europe to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris (Sub-Directorate of Diplomatic/Consular Privileges and Immunities), you can expect to wait four or five weeks before receipt of the registration certificate ("carte grise") from the Bas-Rhin Prefecture (Strasbourg).

                                REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE (“carte grise”)

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            You will receive the registration certificate (“carte grise”) for your new vehicle from the Bas-Rhin Préfecture (through the Directorate of Protocol of the Council of Europe).

            The Strasbourg Customs House (“CRD” – Regional Customs Clearance Centre[2]) will send you a copy of the application for registration (“demande d’immatriculation”) bearing the authorising stamps of the responsible administrative departments, and will request you to forward a copy of your insurance certificate.  The copy of the application for registration should be attached to the “carte grise” and produced whenever requested for inspection by the police or customs authorities.

1)                  Formalities :

Procurement of registration plates

            It is up to the person named on the registration certificate to order the vehicle’s new registration plates according to the following specifications:

            - orange numbers and letters on a green background in the case of CD plates

            - white numbers and letters on a green background in the case of K plates

Date when first put on the road (for vehicles purchased outside France or already registered in a special series) :

            You may find that the space on the registration certificate for entering the date when the vehicle was first put on the road (“date de première mise en circulation”) has been left blank.  If so, it is advisable to keep any document providing evidence of that date (invoice, factory delivery docket, provisional registration document, etc.) in case of resale in France.

2)         Change of address :

            Any change of address should be reported to the Prefecture within one month and entered on the “carte grise” (the appropriate form is available from Protocol).

3)         Persons authorised to drive vehicles registered in a special series :

            Such vehicles may be driven both by their owner and by the owner’s spouse and children, provided that they enjoy the same privileges (non-French, non-resident) and hold a special card.

DISPOSAL OF A VEHICLE

________________________________

    A vehicle may be disposed of in the following ways: -   

1)         Resale in France to buyer intending to register the vehicle in a special series

There are several formalities to be gone through with the following authorities:

Strasbourg Customs House - CRD[3]

Produce:                      - the original of the application for registration (form 2 or 2 bis) bearing the approvals and authorising stamps of the Ministries concerned (Foreign Affairs and Finance)

 

                                     - the vehicle   

Hand over:                   - the green plates

Bas-Rhin Prefecture3

Submit:                     - a “Certificat de cession d’un véhicule” certifying transfer of ownership (form available from the Directorate of Protocol of the Council of Europe or the Prefecture).

Protocol

Submit:                        - the customs clearance certificate issued by Customs (Attestation de régularisation”);

- a cancellation form (in 8 copies) for forwarding to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sub-Directorate of Diplomatic/Consular Privileges and Immunities).

Vis-à-vis the buyer

Hand over:                  - the registration certificate (“carte grise”) after crossing and signing it, clipping the top right-hand corner and endorsing it “vendu le (date)”;

                                    - the application for a vehicle registration certificate (“demande de certificat d’immatriculation d’un véhicule” after personally filling in page 2 (“Certificat de cession d’un véhicule”) (form available from Protocol or the Prefecture);

                                    - the certificate of conformity to a standard type (“Certificat de conformité”);

2)     Resale in France to a buyer intending to register the vehicle in the normal series

There are several formalities to be gone through with the following authorities:

Strasbourg Customs House - CRD – (VAT recovery section)[4]

Produce :                     - the original of the application for registration (form 2 or 2 bis) bearing the approval and authorising stamps of the Ministries concerned (Foreign Affairs and Finance);

                                    - the vehicle.

Hand over :                - the green plates.

Important : If the amount to be paid in tax exceeds 1 500 Euros, only three modes

of payment are acceptable:    cash, bank cheque orcertified cheque.

Bas-Rhin Prefecture  

Submit:                        - a “Certificat de cession d’un véhicule” certifying transfer of ownership (form available from Protocol or the Prefecture)

Directorate of Protocol of the Council of Europe

Submit:                        - the customs clearance certificate issued by Customs (Attestation de régularisation”);

- a cancellation form (in 8 copies) for forwarding to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vis-à-vis the buyer:

Hand over:                  - the registration certificate (“carte grise”) after crossing and signing it, clipping the top right-hand corner and endorsing it “vendu le (date)”;

- the “certificat pour servir à l’immatriculation dans une série normale” (form 846 A), issued by the customs authorities when the vehicle receives customs clearance (on payment of the tax);

- the application for a vehicle registration certificate after completing page 2 (“Certificat de cession d’un véhicule”) (form available from Protocol or the Prefecture)         

                                   - the certificate of conformity to a standard type;

- the certificate of technical inspection (roadworthiness test), dated not more than 6 months earlier (if your vehicle is more than four years old).

3)         Resale in France of a vehicle purchased outside the European Union and registered in a special series

There are several formalities to be gone through with the following authorities:

Strasbourg Customs House - CRD – (VAT and customs duty recovery section)

Produce:                      - the original of the application for registration (form 2 or 2 bis) bearing the approvals and authorising stamps of the Ministries concerned (Foreign Affairs and Finance);

- the vehicle;

Hand over:                 - the green plates.

Important: If the amount to be paid in tax exceeds 1 500 Euros, only three modes

of payment are acceptable:    cash, bank cheque orcertified cheque.

Bas-Rhin Prefecture:

Submit:                        - a “Certificat de cession d’un véhicule” certifying transfer of ownership (form available from Protocol or the Prefecture).

Directorate of Protocol of the Council of Europe

Submit:                        - the document entitled “Liquidation d’office” issued by the customs authorities when the taxes are paid on the vehicle;

- a cancellation form (in 8 copies) for forwarding to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vis-à-vis the buyer:

Hand over:                  - the registration certificate (“carte grise”) after crossing and signing it, clipping the top right-hand corner and endorsing it “vendu le (date)”;

  - the “certificat pour servir à l’immatriculation dans une série normale” (form 846 A), issued by the customs authorities on payment of the tax;

- the application for a vehicle registration certificate (“Demande de certificat d’immatriculation d’un véhicule”) after filling in page 2 (“Certificat de cession”) (form available from Protocol);

- the vehicle identification certificate (“attestation d'identification”) issued by the Service des Mines (see below);

   

- the technical inspection certificate, dated not more than 6 months earlier (if your vehicle is more than four years old).

            On presentation of the "attestation d'identification" and the originals of the

"carte grise", customs form (846 A), registration certificate application, personal identity card and proof of address, and on payment of the fees for issuing the "carte grise", the Prefecture will make out the new one.

How to obtain the “attestation d’identification” from the Service des Mines [5] :

The seller should lodge with the Prefecture a file containing:

- additional particulars of the vehicle (“renseignements” form available from Protocol)

            - a photocopy of the "carte grise" (both sides)

            - a photocopy of customs form 846 A (both sides)

- the original of the technical inspection report, dated not more than 6 months earlier, for vehicles over four years old

            - a stamped (0.5 EUR for 50 grams), self-addressed envelope.

            - un cheque (67.38 EUR in November 2000).

            The Prefecture will send this file on to the DRIRE. (Direction Génerale de l'Industrie, de la Recherche et de l'Environnement (Service des Mines)). If the vehicle meets current standards, the DRIRE will issue an "attestation d'identification" (approximate cost: 67.38 EUR in November 2000).

            In isolated cases, eg where a vehicle is imported into France, if it does not conform to a type marketed in France or the equivalent thereof the Service des Mines will not be able to issue the conformity certificate ("certificat de conformité). In that event, the buyer should apply to the accredited representative of the brand in France, who will provide this document if the vehicle meets the standards of conformity. If not, it will be necessary to have the vehicle brought up to standard or else forgo registering it in France.

IMPORTANT

 

            The above procedure, which takes 5/6 weeks to be completed, may be replaced by the following one which tends to cost more.

The person selling the vehicle can apply to the manufacturer of the brand or the manufacturer’s accredited representative

(list available from Protocol). The applicant receives a file of papers to fill in and return to the manufacturer, who will issue the “attestation d’identification”.

           

NB: Before parting with any official documents, it is advisable to make photocopies of them to be kept for future reference.

4)         Permanent exportation of a vehicle registered in a special series

            If the vehicle is permanently exported – principally when the owner’s duties in Strasbourg come to an end – the following formalities should be completed with the authorities mentioned:

Bas-Rhin Prefecture

Apply for an export registration certificate (“carte export”), issued immediately

Formalities:     - complete a yellow application form for vehicle registration (“Demande de Certificat d’immatriculation d’un véhicule”);

                        - hand in the CD / K registration certificate;

                        - pay the 30 EUR fee.

                       

Garage:           - have registration plates made with the export number.                 

Strasbourg Customs House - CRD

 

Hand over:      - the original of the “Demande d’immatriculation” (form 2 or 2 bis) with the authorising stamps of the relevant Ministries (Foreign Affairs and Finance);

                  - the green plates

                  - a copy of the export registration certificate (“carte export”)

Protocol:

Submit:             - the clearance certificate issued by Customs (Attestation de régularisation”);

                         - the cancellation form made out by the Permanent Delegation for forwarding to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in 8 copies);

5)         Destruction of a vehicle registered in a special series

There are several formalities to be gone through with the following authorities:

Strasbourg Customs House - CRD

Produce:                      - the original of the application for registration bearing the approvals and authorising stamps of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Finance and Customs)

 

                                        - the vehicle. If this is impossible, Customs will send an official to inspect the vehicle on the spot, if inside the Strasbourg conurbation.  Otherwise, a “certificat de destruction” issued by the breaker should be produced.

                                     - pay the tax if the vehicle was purchased ex tax. 

Hand over:                    - the green plates.

                       

Bas-Rhin Prefecture:

if the breaker keeps the “carte grise”: send the Prefecture a “certificat de cession” (place a cross in the box marked “en vue de la destruction”);

if the breaker does not keep the “carte grise”: send the Prefecture the “carte grise” and a “certificat de destruction”.

Protocol:

Submit:

                                      - the document entitled “Liquidation d’office”, which is issued by the customs authorities when the vehicle is customs-cleared;

                                    - a cancellation form (in 8 copies) with particulars including the breaker’s name and address.

                                                                          

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6)         Theft of a vehicle registered in a special series

            Have the vehicle customs-cleared (same formalities as in the case of resale).

USEFUL ADRESSES

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Customs:

            Recette Principale des Douanes de Strasbourg-CRD

            Bureau des Particuliers

            B.P. 1004 F

            85, route du Rhin

            67070 STRASBOURG

            Tel 03.88.45.99.63/64

the building is located below the Pont de l'Europe.

Open Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 11.30 am and from 1.30 to 5 pm.

Préfecture du Bas-Rhin:

            2^e Direction – 4^e Bureau

            Service des Cartes Grises

            5, place de la République

            67000 STRASBOURG

            Tel 03.88.21.61.57 / 60

            Open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4 pm.

“Service des Mines”:

DRIRE – Direction Régionale de l’Industrie et de la Recherche et de l’Environnement d’Alsace

            Centre de Contrôle des Véhicules (réception – homologation)

            18, rue du Fort

            67118 GEISPOLSHEIM

            Tel. 03.88.55.30.30

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

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Please note:

Provisional registration: WW plates

- WW plates are valid for a period of 15 days not counting Sundays and may be renewed once only.  The vehicle must not be driven outside France during that time.

Technical inspection

- vehicles registered in a special series are not subject to technical inspection (roadworthiness test);

 - However, a technical inspection will be stipulated for vehicles over 4 year old when application is made for normal registration or for an export permit;

- for vehicles registered in the normal series, according to the letter of the regulations it is compulsory to have the technical inspection performed within the 6 months preceding the 4^th anniversary of the date when the vehicle was first put on the road (“date de la première mise en circulation”, shown in the top right-hand corner of the “carte grise”).

‘F’ mark

- vehicles registered in a special series must bear the “F” mark (Excerpt from a Ministerial Order of l July 1996)

“Carte Export”

- this document is valid for 30 consecutive days.  It cannot be extended. (Excerpt from the Journal Officiel de la République française of 29 August 2002). 

- the expiry date is marked on the registration plate;

- the vehicle must be registered in the country of destination before the expiry date.

A P P E N D I CE S