Is an MOT required for motoring in France?

[sebring]

hi, having looked on the 'web can't find anything definitive that says if our historic status / MOT exemption is valid in Europe (particularly in France). has anyone any information as to the requirement? anyone organising any trips abroad that might have an answer?

hope to hear from you soon 

Reagrds

[james christie]

I believe that if you have your documents in order in your own European country, this is acceptable (even for the French)

However, I would have thought it foolish to venture anywhere, especially abroad, without having your car checked over by a competetent authority!

But you don’t have to believe me…….

james

[sebring]

Hi, many thanks for the response and I know the arguments - but that wasn't the question and unfortunately, we in the UK are no longer viewed by EU member states as a "European" country - as it happens I am a very competent engineer, having restored/built/maintained several classics including historic race cars  - I'm just not one authorized by UK HM Gov't to issue MOT certificates - just trying to get some clarity on the paperwork requirements. But thanks again

[Hamish]

Why not contact one of the companies that does European tours for classics. ? They are bound to know the rules.

or for £35 peace of mind - just get it mot’d

Edited April 29, 2022 by Hamish

[rogerguzzi]

1 hour ago, Hamish said:

Why not contact one of the companies that does European tours for classics. ? They are bound to know the rules.

or for £35 peace of mind - just get it mot’d

Seems the cheap option no matter how good an engineer you are better than arguing with a frog copper!

Plus I think if you have an acceident the insurance people will be looking for any small fault to limit the pay out but if you have a mot it meets the spec required by law so to me it is a no brainer!

Roger

[james christie]

I rest my case, m’lud

james

[Misfit]

Regarding the insurance I am aware of a significant accident where a non MoTed 1972 TR6 was involved. There was no issue with the claim and our TRRI through KGM settled it promptly. 

Clearly  the vehicle needs to be roadworthy. An MoT is  not necessarily proof of that, having had a MoT at 9.15 and handbreak failure at 9.30, the hand break cable snapped the vehicle rolled into another. Unfortunately it was observed by a police officer. I was fined for having a unroadworthy vehicle. The recent MoT was not an acceptable defence. It only indicated it was roadworthy at that moment in time. 

I cannot comment on whether it’s compulsory to have a British MoT in France, but as Hamish said it’s cheap if it gives you peace of mind.
 

 

Edited May 1, 2022 by Misfit

[Motorsport Mickey]

" if it gives you peace of mind."

Which isn't worth the burnt ions it took for you to savour it !

As I've pointed out before  having a yearly MOT is merely a comfort blanket for owners, the additional pair of eyes can be accommodated by having your TR owning friend (who's more knowledgeable about TR likely fail points than a spotty 18 year old mechanic who fails your handbrake reverse ratchet system "as not being in working condition") do the honours and you return the favour to him ! Fair enough if your mechanical skill or experience is non existent, but as pointed out the MOT is only applicable "at that moment in time" don't expect largess from police, the court system or your insurance company the law will be applied mercilessly. The example of a 9:15am MOT pass and a 9:30am accident caused by a failure of an MOT inspectable part which cause your prosecution is a pertinent example.

Mick Richards   

Edited May 1, 2022 by Motorsport Mickey

[sebring]

Thanks for all of your replies and I appreciate you all taking the time to respond, but basically, up to now, the answer to my query is "no one knows" or at least "no-one is sure" of the legal requirements.

From my perspective, it's a definite shortfall on the part of the TR Register, in that to my mind, they should be advising and publishing to us members as to the definitive and legal requirements for taking our TR's into mainland Europe - as, from my research, the UK Gov't websites are not exactly aligned to classic car usage in this area. 

The arguments as to the pros/cons of getting an MOT are, for me, irrelevant, it's the principal and establishing the actual legal requirements that is the point. So yes, if any of the club's touring companies would like to respond to my query I would very much like to hear from them, or from any club member that is currently involved in planning a similar trip to Europe that has some definitive information and/or knowledge of this aspect of the legislation.

regards 

[Kiwifrog]

I have no legal proof but It’s always been my understanding that if the car is legal in its country of origin then it should be legal when travelling abroad to countries that do not require temporary registration to use their roads.

In France if your car is registered before the 1 Jan 1960 and registered as historic it does not need the French equivalent of an MOT except when changing ownership 

 

[John Morrison]

9 hours ago, sebring said:

Thanks for all of your replies and I appreciate you all taking the time to respond, but basically, up to now, the answer to my query is "no one knows" or at least "no-one is sure" of the legal requirements.

From my perspective, it's a definite shortfall on the part of the TR Register, in that to my mind, they should be advising and publishing to us members as to the definitive and legal requirements for taking our TR's into mainland Europe - as, from my research, the UK Gov't websites are not exactly aligned to classic car usage in this area. 

The arguments as to the pros/cons of getting an MOT are, for me, irrelevant, it's the principal and establishing the actual legal requirements that is the point. So yes, if any of the club's touring companies would like to respond to my query I would very much like to hear from them, or from any club member that is currently involved in planning a similar trip to Europe that has some definitive information and/or knowledge of this aspect of the legislation.

regards 

Read all this with interest, think its a bit unfair to blame the register for us 'Not knowing' and

do you want to be the test case?

John.

[Hamish]

9 hours ago, sebring said:

Thanks for all of your replies and I appreciate you all taking the time to respond, but basically, up to now, the answer to my query is "no one knows" or at least "no-one is sure" of the legal requirements.

From my perspective, it's a definite shortfall on the part of the TR Register, in that to my mind, they should be advising and publishing to us members as to the definitive and legal requirements for taking our TR's into mainland Europe - as, from my research, the UK Gov't websites are not exactly aligned to classic car usage in this area. 

The arguments as to the pros/cons of getting an MOT are, for me, irrelevant, it's the principal and establishing the actual legal requirements that is the point. So yes, if any of the club's touring companies would like to respond to my query I would very much like to hear from them, or from any club member that is currently involved in planning a similar trip to Europe that has some definitive information and/or knowledge of this aspect of the legislation.

regards 

Perhaps if you need a definitive legal position for not having an mot in France you should be asking a uk/European post brexit specialist QC. And not a forum where lay opinions or very practical solutions ( get an mot) abound.
 

you could wait forever if you want a classic car tour operator to come on the forum to answer your question.  Like I said I’d be asking them.

may be the register should have this advice for members to hand? Have you asked them directly? I’m sure there will be a contact in TRaction as this is a forum and not the TRR in its entirety.

perhaps you should ask your insurers if you are covered ? Aplan include 90 days cover  

now we are out of Europe do you need a carnet ?

be sure to share the definitive when you find out what it is.

[james christie]

Boy, do I like folk who blame others because they can’t give them the answer they want. Talk about being brought up in the Nanny state!

Kiwi, I think that cars in France registered as historic, have also to have a Contrôle Technique every 5 years.

james

[Teher]

After 1960 !

if you are registered in historic (Carte Grise « Véhicule de Collection ») with a pre-1960 car, no MOT needed ! 

[Kiwifrog]

11 hours ago, james christie said:

Boy, do I like folk who blame others because they can’t give them the answer they want. Talk about being brought up in the Nanny state!

Kiwi, I think that cars in France registered as historic, have also to have a Contrôle Technique every 5 years.

james

James

cars first registered before 01 Jan 1960 are exempt a control technique, cars first registered after 1  January 1960 registered with a carte grise de collection need a CT every 5 years. Any car registered under carte grise normal ie not voiture de collection is every two years. My 3a has its CT every two years as it is in cg normale

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F328

cheers

 

alan

[Alfrom]

This response is nothing to do with the MoT test but does relate to the  awareness of another necessary licence requirement in France.

 

It's also a bit of a game when thinking of the crit.'air vignette (licence - in the form of a windscreen sticker) becoming increasingly relevant in some places in France.  I have one for my 'day car' and attempted to find out what I needed for the TR.  It turns out that above a certain age, sorry, but I don't know what age that is (- probably related to the time of the introduction of the Euro Norm emission categories), you can't get one as the car is automatically assumed to be too polluting to be allowed access to some areas when the authorities  decide to restrict access to prevent the ambient air quality being too bad.  Not having a vignette means no entry with the possibility of being fined if found without an acceptable vignette.  Originally, this scheme was aimed only at city centres but is likely to soon be applicable to non-city but heavy traffic areas as well.

If you want a crit. air vignette for any car, be aware that the process is very easy on the official website and will cost less than 5 euro, but there are some websites that will offer to do it for you and charge £30 or more.

[stuart]

16 hours ago, Alfrom said:

This response is nothing to do with the MoT test but does relate to the  awareness of another necessary licence requirement in France.

 

It's also a bit of a game when thinking of the crit.'air vignette (licence - in the form of a windscreen sticker) becoming increasingly relevant in some places in France.  I have one for my 'day car' and attempted to find out what I needed for the TR.  It turns out that above a certain age, sorry, but I don't know what age that is (- probably related to the time of the introduction of the Euro Norm emission categories), you can't get one as the car is automatically assumed to be too polluting to be allowed access to some areas when the authorities  decide to restrict access to prevent the ambient air quality being too bad.  Not having a vignette means no entry with the possibility of being fined if found without an acceptable vignette.  Originally, this scheme was aimed only at city centres but is likely to soon be applicable to non-city but heavy traffic areas as well.

If you want a crit. air vignette for any car, be aware that the process is very easy on the official website and will cost less than 5 euro, but there are some websites that will offer to do it for you and charge £30 or more.

Link to official site https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/

Stuart.

[Steve-B]

Knowing within the next 12 months we'll be driving around a fair bit of France I went onto the Crit'Air sticker website Stuart mentioned 👆 and found out our 1973 TR6  is "too old/polluting" from it.  As we're not 100% where we'll be except avoiding Paris, likely to visit Lille, Reims and definitely Laon do we need to even worry about getting one for a 5 day excursion? If we do, are there roads/motorways exempt from it, e.g., A26, A2, A71 and if so, can you stick to N roads as an alternative?

Edited July 23, 2025 by Steve-B

[TR Rob]

I have just driven 1500 miles across France in my 1960 TR 3a, as we only used D roads went through the centre of several major towns, didn’t have a Clean Air Sticker and certainly did not have a ‘UK’ sticker or come to that a GB sticker on back of car….nobody bothered one jot, in fact most French people including border personnel and police were only interested in the car and how far we had driven it !!

 

[Kiwifrog]

Steve I wouldn't worry too much about the Crit'Air as they are in the process of repealing the legislation and also your car as a voiture de collection is immune from the restrictions anyway. As far as MOT I believe if the car is legal in its country of registration it is legal to be used in France 

 

Feu vert pour 11 métropoles où les arrêtés sont parus avec dérogation pour les véhicules de collection :/ The 11 metropoles ZFE that authorise the use of collection vehicles within the ZFE zones 

Paris - lire l’arrêté

Reims - lire l’arrêté

Rouen - lire l’arrêté

Nice - lire l’arrêté

Toulouse – lire l’arrêté temporaire

Montpellier Métropole : brochure ZFE consultable ici, voir page 6

Lyon : dossier règlementaire consultable ici, voir page 11

Strasbourg : guide pratique ZFE consultable ici, voir page 18

Grenoble - lire l'arrêté

Saint-Etienne - lire l'arrêté 

Aix-Marseille Provence - lire l'arrêté 

 

to quote the ZFE law itself 

Article 4 : Autres cas d’exemptions
La mesure instaurée à l’article 1 ne s’applique pas aux véhicules suivants :
4.1 - Véhicules de collection. La mention « véhicule de collection » figure dans la rubrique
des mentions spécifiques Z de la carte grise. Ces derniers représentent une très faible
proportion du parc automobile, roulent très peu, représentent un patrimoine industriel
valorisant et la plupart de ces véhicules roulent à l’essence ;

English Translation 

Article 4: Other Exemptions The measure established in Article 1 does not apply to the following vehicles: 4.1 - Classic vehicles. The term "classic vehicle" appears in the "Specific Z" section of the registration document. These vehicles represent a very small proportion of the vehicle fleet, are driven very little, represent valuable industrial heritage, and most of these vehicles run on gasoline.

[Steve-B]

@Kiwifrog Many thanks for the update which I and I’m sure others here appreciate 👏

[Charlie D]

21 hours ago, Kiwifrog said:

..I believe if the car is legal in its country of registration it is legal to be used in France..

Back in the 70's or 80's I'm certain that I read that in France ALL cars had to have a wing mirror on the driver's side (Or was it the passenger's side???) and if not a fine would be issued.

Apparently UK tourist were being caught out by this law and fined.

Any truth in that?

 

22 hours ago, TR Rob said:

...certainly did not have a ‘UK’ sticker or come to that a GB sticker on back of car….nobody bothered one jot...

About 5 years ago I got fined 70 Euros for not having a GB sticker on my car in Italy. (The crime is "Contravening the Geneva convention [section something or other" ] .)

In the 1970's the police used to wait just outside Calais to catch British cars without stickers just so they could sell one to the driver for a massively inflated price. They also used to fit the sticker for you, to save you getting out of the car. What they actually did was pretend to fit the sticker, so that their mates a few miles down the road could do you again for not having one on the car.

For a couple of quid it's worth getting one before you travel to avoid the hassle.

Charlie.

[John Broadley]

Re the query about exterior mirrors. I bought my TR4 a couple of years ago from France. It had been in regular use there for 14 years, and had been subject to the French MOT equivalent. It had no exterior mirrors and had passed with no issues every time.

[Steve-B]

(reviving the thread)

When we go to Laon for the Historique in late May depending on my wife's health, we may carry onto Switzerland.

If we do we're going to end up on a few Payage' roads, so what's the best option to deal with them? Ideally I don't see sense in a physical windscreen unit, but having heard you can register your foreign place + a CC and pass through the toll booths, I seem unable to locate said company/website. Switzerland has this easy-as to do, but I'm failing to find similar for France.

Appreciate any guidance the collective can offer. 

[james christie]

Hi Steve as a resident in France I use Ulys      Ulys.com , it is in English if you wish.

An explanation:

The running and maintenance of the autoroutes is on the concession system. These were almost given away by Sarkozy and as you can imagine an absolute goldmine. But the quality of the infrastructure is good if expensive.

Your badge is good on all the concessions France and some other countries not only for autoroutes but also car parks bridge tolls etc. All tolls whatever the concession are grouped together and you will be debited monthly. There is no subscription You only pay if you use the badge, but there is a small supplementary charge of 2€ if you do. You will have to pay a deposit on the badge. For security reasons, many including myself don't display it, but keep it in the glovebox until required. Also means you can use it in other cars or loan it out

The badge is 'attached' to a credit card and this is debited with all your passages grouped together

PM me if you have questions or need help!

james