[jfieldmitchell]

I am a school teacher living and working in an aboriginal community called Angurugu on Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria in remote Northern Austalia
I am trying to find out what is needed to register/change ownership for a motorbike in France. I am buying the bike in England, it is French registered. The person I may be buying it from states that M/cycles dont need MOT or TUV testing in France and all I will need to do is ride the bike to France (from England) go into a registration office with a reciept of sale, fill out a few forms, pay 20 euro's and it is all okay. Can anyone enlighten me about this as I don't want to arrive for my grand tour to an illegal bike. Also I don't speak a word of French, not that could be repeated in mixed company anyway

 

[Bevdeforges]

They've recently changed the rules on registering vehicles here so that you don't need to go to the prefecture in the departement where you reside - but you still need to show proof of your residence in France in order to effect the change in registration.

I'd also question the notion that you don't need a controle technique (though someone here surely has current experience with this). If the bike in question is currently registered in France, it should work like the purchase of any used vehicle in France. What I find on the Service Public site (Certificat d'immatriculation (ex-carte grise), achat d'un véhicule d'occasion en France - Service-public.fr ) claims that a current inspection report (within 6 months) has to be presented for the transfer of any "vehicle." The only exception I can find for this is if you are registering a "cyclomoteur" which is a motor bike of less than 50 cc. or if the vehicle you're buying is less than 4 years old. But the controle technique is indicated on the carte grise (i.e. the registration document) so there's no getting around this one.

What you probably need is a friend in France who can handle the transaction for you (in French).

With luck, some of the biker types out there will have more information.
Cheers,
Bev

 

[Guest]

About a year ago, a froggy mate imported a UK-spec Honda into France with no worries; ISTR that he said bikes don't need CTs.

I know that no-one has said my quad needs a CT.

 

[jfieldmitchell]

I'm not importing a Brit bike though. I am buying a French registered Honda to tour Eastern Europe then I will probably leave it with ny brother in Germany then tour Southern Europe or UK with him in 2011. I am concerned that if I buy it I will have problems with rego etc. the seller has said I can use his address in Motpellier for change of ownership but I dont have any proof of residency... because I'm not! Don't suggest that I get my brother to help I want a bike I can ride
Thanks for your comments.

 

[Bevdeforges]

About a year ago, a froggy mate imported a UK-spec Honda into France with no worries; ISTR that he said bikes don't need CTs.

I know that no-one has said my quad needs a CT.

All I know is what's on the Service Public site. And I do know that the laws regarding motorcycle registration have changed in the last year to include registration for bikes under 125cc, which previously weren't subject to registration.

Don't know about the quads, but I suspect they're considered "off-road" vehicles and thus not subject to registration. (Sorry, but quads are a sore topic where I live at the moment... Needless to say, I'm not a fan.)

The sticking point seems to be the "proof of residence" thing that is listed as a requirement to register a bike in France. Where will the OP be "resident" while going on this grand tour? (I.e. is he going to need a visa?) Otherwise, it may need to be registered in the brother's name in Germany.
Cheers,
Bev

 

[jfieldmitchell]

Thanks for all your comments. One point I failed to mention is that I do Hold an EU passport as I am originally English and never gave up my passport.

 

[jfieldmitchell]

All I know is what's on the Service Public site. And I do know that the laws regarding motorcycle registration have changed in the last year to include registration for bikes under 125cc, which previously weren't subject to registration.

Don't know about the quads, but I suspect they're considered "off-road" vehicles and thus not subject to registration. (Sorry, but quads are a sore topic where I live at the moment... Needless to say, I'm not a fan.)

The sticking point seems to be the "proof of residence" thing that is listed as a requirement to register a bike in France. Where will the OP be "resident" while going on this grand tour? (I.e. is he going to need a visa?) Otherwise, it may need to be registered in the brother's name in Germany.
Cheers,
Bev

OP ? Old Person? :focus:

I don't need Visa's as I have an EU passport. I wont really be 'residing' anywhere as I will be touring. I could possibly be resident either in Germany at my brothers place or in England (where the bike is) at my Brother-in-Law's place. The seller has said I can use his address in France but I don't have any proof that I live there. This bike is exactly what I am looking for at the right price but I am concerned about riding legally.

As for quads... I am not a fan they get in the way in desert racing and mess up the tracks if you can't handle two wheels try walking... please.

 

[Bevdeforges]

OP ? Old Person? :focus:

OP = original poster :ranger:
Cheers,
Bev

 

[jfieldmitchell]

OP = original poster :ranger:
Cheers,
Bev

:behindsofa:

Obvious really, I am new to this posting thing.