Discussion
Wifey and I are thinking of moving back to France and have a couple of questions guys and girls.....can you export car and still keep private plate on it. Russwhitehouse asked some time ago about dealers / good mechanics over there without many answers if I remember so if anyone can shed some light on who and where that would help. Anyone got a DB9 on French insurance? and finally how bad is the paperwork / inspections etc needed to take the car there permanently. Thanks.
Within the EU you have to re-register a car in the local EU country after 3 months. You can move the car freely of VAT if it has been paid in one member country. Exceptions are in EU countries where there is a vehicle (luxury) tax on vehicles such as in Denmark, Finland and Austria where you still have to pay that based on a valuation at the time of import. The bisggest issue with driving a foreign registered car abroad is actually the insurance. No insurance company allows you to drive a car abroad for more than 90 days.
As your DB9 will be right hand drive there is very little point in exporting that car as it will be virtually impossible to sell in France. Also driving around in a RHD car in France is a right pain with all the peage toll stations.
You might be able to pick one up locally much cheaper as lots of french are moving the other way to avoid Mr Hollande.
As your DB9 will be right hand drive there is very little point in exporting that car as it will be virtually impossible to sell in France. Also driving around in a RHD car in France is a right pain with all the peage toll stations.
You might be able to pick one up locally much cheaper as lots of french are moving the other way to avoid Mr Hollande.
fuzzy01 said:
Wifey and I are thinking of moving back to France and have a couple of questions guys and girls.....can you export car and still keep private plate on it. Russwhitehouse asked some time ago about dealers / good mechanics over there without many answers if I remember so if anyone can shed some light on who and where that would help. Anyone got a DB9 on French insurance? and finally how bad is the paperwork / inspections etc needed to take the car there permanently. Thanks.
Being a European spec car, the only issue you should have is with the headlights. I would suggest trying to get the mod that changes the headlight angle as previously discussed retro fitted, as that will cost a lot less than a new pair of headlights!Paperwork is abundant and heavy going when it comes to re registering a vehicle in France. I have done a couple of bikes in the past and it can be infuriating. The easy way is to get a main dealer to deal with it for you but it will cost Aston main stealer prices. Doing it all yourself is cheaper, just as quick but more hassle and very dependant on your level of French and how cooperative your local Prefecture is. They will generally help if they can but it is a myth that they all speak English and just choose not to. Good luck
Thanks for all the comments so far, glad another Aston head has bikes Russ, what have you got? Wifey has a SV650 Suzuki and a Fireblade and I've got a TL1000R Susi (with all the mods to ignition, air box exhaust etc). Back to the car, I'm not concerned about selling it over there or the fact its right handed but am about keeping our no plate. I have a feeling its not going to be possible.
fuzzy01 said:
Wifey and I are thinking of moving back to France and have a couple of questions guys and girls.....can you export car and still keep private plate on it. Russwhitehouse asked some time ago about dealers / good mechanics over there without many answers if I remember so if anyone can shed some light on who and where that would help. Anyone got a DB9 on French insurance? and finally how bad is the paperwork / inspections etc needed to take the car there permanently. Thanks.
Just moved back to the UK three months ago after 12 years in St Paul de Vence (Cote D'Azur), bought several Astons while there from Royal Motors Cannes-affiliated with sister dealer, British Motors in Monaco - discretion prevents me from full description but be prepared for a somewhat different dealer experience.... Brought back my LHD DB9 to UK, subsequently sold and now have RHD V12V. UK specced DB9 does have adjustment for headlamps (LHD cars do not), but that is meant for temporary trips to the Continent, whether it will pass the Controle Technique (French MoT) is pot luck. New headlamp set is 2K plus. You won't be able to keep your UK plates if you plan to be in France for more than 6 months, and it will need to go through the French registration process - doable but bureaucratic - there are agencies who will hold your hand for a fee. Be prepared to pay significantly more for French insurance and shop around. Feel free to PM me if you want more detailed insights into living in France. You would also need to understand the French personal tax regime which has recently undergone some "interesting" changes courtesy of Mons Hollande. Good Luck. PS The bread is nice in France (and the weather).fuzzy01 said:
Thanks for all the comments so far, glad another Aston head has bikes Russ, what have you got? Wifey has a SV650 Suzuki and a Fireblade and I've got a TL1000R Susi (with all the mods to ignition, air box exhaust etc). Back to the car, I'm not concerned about selling it over there or the fact its right handed but am about keeping our no plate. I have a feeling its not going to be possible.
I have a Ducati 1198 . I still have it on UK plates registered at my UK address as is the Aston, and have had no hassle from the Gendarmerie, having been stopped a few times over the years. To be fair if you have all the bits of paper that's seems to be all they are interested in. The breathalysers, luminous jackets etc all seem to much of a bother for them to worry about based on my experiences. Personally I don't find driving a right hand drive car any problem. On the peage it just means the passenger grabs the ticket from the machine, or you get out and walk round if you're alone. Good excuse to admire your car and takes about ten seconds, who's bothered.Insurance wise ebike and ecar will both insure you for unlimited European use, 365 days a year. I have the Duc' insured with them, so far so good, no problems. You will not be able to insure a UK vehicle with a French insurer legitimately until it has been matriculated for
France. That being said they will happily sell you a policy on a UK car as they did with us on our Audi when we first moved here ten years ago, so you have the piece of paper, but in the event of a claim they would almost surely use it as an excuse not to pay up. You pays your money you takes your chance. Something we were unaware of at the time as the nice Frenchman sold us a policy that was't worth the paper it was written on!
Which area are you thinking of moving to?
hornbaek said:
Also driving around in a RHD car in France is a right pain with all the peage toll stations.
I'm just on my way back from a couple of weeks in France in my V8V and although RHD is a hassle in lots of ways (particularly with overtaking on single lane roads), the peages aren't actually a problem at all. A sanef tag now allows you to drive through all of the peages at 30kph. Definitely recommended for anyone driving in France.drjon, pm sent. russ thanks for the info, that's what I did last time I lived there with the insurance, as to the area I'm looking south of Conforlens (Charente) down to the Midi Pyrenees and having said that wifey is keen on the Auverne so we are just seeing where we like the most at the moment.
fuzzy01 said:
drjon, pm sent. russ thanks for the info, that's what I did last time I lived there with the insurance, as to the area I'm looking south of Conforlens (Charente) down to the Midi Pyrenees and having said that wifey is keen on the Auverne so we are just seeing where we like the most at the moment.
I'm about an hour and a half from Confolons between Angoulême and Cognac. The country roads are great and uncrowded with little or no bother from plod. Radar traps on the N10 south of Poitier are a known hazard though. Hope you find what you're looking for, you'll certainly enjoy the search if nothing else.hornbaek said:
Within the EU you have to re-register a car in the local EU country after 3 months.
A car was being used locally on Portuguese number plates for about 10 years. Probably a great way to avoid Road Tax, Insurance, MoT, Speeding and Parking tickets. Although the police knew about it, they did not stop the practice.That car was eventually replaced by a UK registered car, but it is now displaying Poruguese plates.
Can you speak a little Portuguese perhaps?
Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 16th July 18:31
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