Driving France & Germany - V5

[bad company]

Quick question. Do I need to take the original paper V5 document or is a digital copy acceptable?

[blue_haddock]

I've driven in both countries god knows how many times and never had to show any paperwork however when i had a lease car i had to request a copy of the v5 and that came digitally so i'd presume that should be ok

[ridds]

V5 is predominantly needed for Repatriation if your car breaks down.

Both times I've had cars need to be shipped back, both shippers wanted the original document.

Was a while ago so the situation may have changed.

[NDA]

I always take the original - because that's the advice. But in 30 years of driving in France I have never had to show it.

[Old Merc]

I’ve driven all over France, Holland, Belgium and Germany, in my own cars and a rally service van with trailer and rally car. Never been asked for a V5 for any of them.
Even when I had a minor scrape in Germany, all the Police wanted was my driving licence and insurance
Also we had to take a V5 and more paperwork for the van and rally car,including a full list of all the spare's, wheels, tyres etc carried in the van.

[omniflow]

ridds said:

V5 is predominantly needed for Repatriation if your car breaks down.

Both times I've had cars need to be shipped back, both shippers wanted the original document.

Was a while ago so the situation may have changed.

V5 is important in France if you're stopped for speeding at more than 40Km/hr over the posted limit.

I believe it's because the police have different options depending on whether or not the driver (or the people in the car) actually own the car or not.

I am also of the view that having all of the paperwork that you're required to have increases the chances of the police treating you more leniently. They do have options and they don't always go for the nuclear option.

[Rushjob]

Original documents required, French law specifically mentions facsimiles as unacceptable, for the V5 or carte grise as its called in France the only specific reason a copy will be accepted is if you are driving a hire vehicle.

[bad company]

Rushjob said:

Original documents required, French law specifically mentions facsimiles as unacceptable, for the V5 or carte grise as its called in France the only specific reason a copy will be accepted is if you are driving a hire vehicle.

Thank you, I didn’t want to take the original but will do so.

[dan98]

There are times you'll need to show who owns the car (the V5 seemingly being the closest thing for that) - for example if you get towed for parking in the wrong place..happens pretty fast in some German cities.. and in this case they don't accept something which is clearly not the original document.

[rdjohn]

When I lived in France, being stopped for a document check was a fairly regular occurrence. Perhaps every couple of years. I only ever kept a digital copy of my Carte Gris in the car and it seemed to be accepted, without comment.

I am sure if I had been stopped for something serious it would be added to any offence list.

[boxedin]

When in France they'll want to see the orignal V5.

When on a motorcycle attending a motorsport event, same applies to a speeding 'chat', they'll check in order

1) drunk?
2) does the bike restart with the key in the ignition after turning off and on?
3) V5 and insurance paperwork to prove it's yours.
4) Driving license check to prove who you are.

Checks would be done at anytime of the day / night.

Also if you're ever stopped by French Customs at the roadside they'll want ALL the paperwork.

No V5? You've just turned a simple stop into something far more 'interesting'.

Never leave the UK without V5 and insurance paperwork.

[Kev_Mk3]

Take the original V5. If stopped want to see it and I know you've not mentioned it but Belgium they will take the car without it

[InitialDave]

I took my original V5C, plus latest mot and insurance certs.

I was going to Germany, so ordered the emissions sticker for a fiver from Berlin using a photo of the relevant bit of my V5C.

[Puggit]

I've been a passenger in a car pulled over for speeding. Only wanted driving licence and insurance.

As others have said, repatriation might need the original.

[omniflow]

Puggit said:

I've been a passenger in a car pulled over for speeding. Only wanted driving licence and insurance.

As others have said, repatriation might need the original.

If you're doing more than 40Km/hr over the speed limit they have the option to impound the car. Ownership of the car is relevant to whether or not that happens.

[Puggit]

omniflow said:

Puggit said:

I've been a passenger in a car pulled over for speeding. Only wanted driving licence and insurance.

As others have said, repatriation might need the original.

If you're doing more than 40Km/hr over the speed limit they have the option to impound the car. Ownership of the car is relevant to whether or not that happens.

This was a minor transgression - €80 IIRC