Driving in France with no V5

[RedCabbage]

I might not be able to get my V5 back in time for LeMans departure on 14/6/07. Is it compulsory for GB drivers to have this document present? I don't want the car impounded if I get pulled!

[cooperlola]

In theory it is. However, I've never been asked for mine. Don't get done for speeding, is the best tip, because then you might have trouble..

[cobra andy]

If youve sent it off to DVLA give them a buzz and see if they can hurry it along, explaining your cercumstances etc.
If youve still got the V5 scan it and do a colour copy, you might get away with it.

[RedCabbage]

I should have explained a little more.

I am currently buying a car and won't be getting it for at least another week.

The only way I can see is to get the seller to write a letter giving permission to drive a vehicle (that appears to be) registered in his name and ttake a copy of the V5.

Does that sound safe?

[S1mon.]

It usually only takes about 10 days to get the V5 after change of ownership, so you should get it back in time.
Ask the seller to post the V5 straight away.
You will also have the green V5/c slip you could take this.

[sleep envy]

RedCabbage said:

I should have explained a little more.

I am currently buying a car and won't be getting it for at least another week.

The only way I can see is to get the seller to write a letter giving permission to drive a vehicle (that appears to be) registered in his name and ttake a copy of the V5.

Does that sound safe?

you'll have the green slip with your name and address on it which should be enough to prove you own the car

IME they won't know what they're looking at. I have been pulled several times for various reasons but never for speeding or dangerous manouvres/overtakes - last year I was pulled for apparently driving too slowly but I suspect they just wanted to be nosey seeing as we were in a convoy of stickered up 911s. They looked at the papers, asked a few questions and let us on our way. I didn't have a V5 at the time as I'd just registered my car in the UK a few days before (I'd bought it in germany) but seeing as I had all the german paperwork with my name and address they were quite happy.

As long as you have a wedge of papers which satisfies them that you own the car (something official looking like an insurance certificate) you *should* be OK unless you come up against a particularly sniffy flick or you've done something silly to piss them off.

[obiwonkeyblokey]

The car I am thinking of taking is on contract hire, so I dont have one either.

Whats french for contract hire?

[t1grm]

Assuming you haven't already posted the V5: When you get the car don't post the V5. Take it to your local DVLA office. They will issue a temporary V5 on the spot and the full version comes through the post later. Costs about a fiver. The temporary V5 is an official printed document that should be good enough for the French police. I did this with a car I picked up at 17:00 and took it on the chunnel the following afternoon after going to the DVLA in the morning.

[sleep envy]

obiwonkeyblokey said:

The car I am thinking of taking is on contract hire, so I dont have one either.

Whats french for contract hire?

you must have paperwork though - what happens when you get a producer in the UK?

[LeoZwalf]

Make sure your passport isn't expired too

[molestrangler]

obiwonkeyblokey said:

Whats french for contract hire?

Le voiture de gangbang.

[RedCabbage]

t1grm said:

Assuming you haven't already posted the V5: When you get the car don't post the V5. Take it to your local DVLA office. They will issue a temporary V5 on the spot and the full version comes through the post later. Costs about a fiver. The temporary V5 is an official printed document that should be good enough for the French police. I did this with a car I picked up at 17:00 and took it on the chunnel the following afternoon after going to the DVLA in the morning.

Brilliant answer.

Thanks!

[mikey_p]

I never knew you had to take your V5 with you. Don't think we've done it the past 2 years, or anytime my dad has been to Spa or the Ring. Isn't it a bit risky having your V5 in your car? If someone knicks your car they could just register it to themselves, and leaving it in the tent isn't particularly safe either.

I think i will just take a photocopy.

[molestrangler]

I understand that if the vehicle is not in your name, even if you have the reg,docs, say a company car, that you should also have a letter giving you permission to use it and take it out of the country of registration,. Anyone confirm this ?

[bennno]

I took an M5 a couple of years ago and my dad got pulled for speeding on the way back



Gendarme 'you were speeding'

Old Man - shrug of shoulders



Gendarne 'can i see your driving licence'

old man - shrug of shoulders, I dont have it with me



Gendarme 'can i see the v5 for this car'

old man - shrug of shoulders, we dont have it with us



Gendarme 'we will need to fine you for jumping the orange light and not having documents and you will need to pay us on the spot'

old man - shrug of shoulders, how much



Gendarme '€20'

old man - there you go, can we get going now



From this experience I personally wouldnt worry myself



Bennno

Edited by bennno on Tuesday 22 May 20:46

[RedCabbage]

molestrangler said:

I understand that if the vehicle is not in your name, even if you have the reg,docs, say a company car, that you should also have a letter giving you permission to use it and take it out of the country of registration,. Anyone confirm this ?

Yes I did earlier.

[Ballon]

As I have said on previous posts on this subject, it's best to have all the correct paperwork as my mate was stopped 3 years ago on the way home, not speeding I should add. They hit him for €750, it made it a very expensive weekend.

[Piglet]

molestrangler said:

I understand that if the vehicle is not in your name, even if you have the reg,docs, say a company car, that you should also have a letter giving you permission to use it and take it out of the country of registration,. Anyone confirm this ?

Yes, even if it's your spouses' car.



Our long haul car is registered in my name and we keep a letter giving OH my consent to drive the car and take it out of the country with the folder of "travel docs" which has the V5 etc in it.



Many leasehire companies will require you to tell them you're taking the car onto mainland Europe anyway.



As said, you might get away without needing the docs but it's better to carry them and make sure that someone at home has photocopies.

[molestrangler]

Piglet said:

molestrangler said:

I understand that if the vehicle is not in your name, even if you have the reg,docs, say a company car, that you should also have a letter giving you permission to use it and take it out of the country of registration,. Anyone confirm this ?

Yes, even if it's your spouses' car.



Our long haul car is registered in my name and we keep a letter giving OH my consent to drive the car and take it out of the country with the folder of "travel docs" which has the V5 etc in it.



Many leasehire companies will require you to tell them you're taking the car onto mainland Europe anyway.



As said, you might get away without needing the docs but it's better to carry them and make sure that someone at home has photocopies.

Ta.