Vehicle documents: registration, licence, insurance

Driving licence

Valid, category matching the vehicle. France Identité dematerialised licence is accepted.

Vehicle registration certificate

The famous V5/grey card. Must match the vehicle driven. Original required (no copies).

Insurance certificate

The windshield sticker + the green paper card. Green card mandatory for crossing borders.

Technical inspection

Up to date. 2-month tolerance after the deadline. Sticker affixed to the windshield in France.

🇫🇷 France — Carte grise

• Application via ANTS (national agency for secure documents)
• Cost: regional tax (€10-60 per fiscal hp)
• Lead time: 7-15 days online, 1 month max
• SIV plate format (AA-123-AA) since 2009
• FNI → SIV conversion required when the card is changed

🇧🇪 Belgium — Registration certificate

• Application at office or by mail (DIV)
• Cost: €30 + regional taxes
• Red plate on white background (1-ABC-123)
• Lead time: 2-4 weeks
• Belgian ID card required

🇨🇭 Switzerland — Circulation licence

• Application at the cantonal vehicle service
• Cantonal cost: CHF 40-80
• Lead time: immediate on the spot
• Plates assigned by canton (letters before numbers)
• Vehicle inspection required (CHF 200-400)

🇨🇦 Canada — Registration

• Provincial jurisdiction (SAAQ in QC, ICBC in BC)
• Cost: CAD 50-200/year depending on province
• Annual or biennial renewal
• Alphanumeric plate, format varies by province
• Mechanical inspection sometimes required (used vehicle)

Validity and renewal

In France, the B licence is valid 15 years for the physical card (simple admin renewal, no exam), and for life for the right to drive. After age 75, medical visit every 5 years in some neighbouring countries (BE, IT).

International permit

Free in France via ANTS. Lead time: 3-4 months. Indispensable for driving outside the EU/EEA (USA, Morocco, Thailand…). In the EU, your national licence is enough. Validity 3 years, ALWAYS carry with your original licence.

EU equivalences

Any licence issued in the EU/EEA is recognised in all 27 countries. No mandatory exchange if you move. However, after 2 years' residency in another EU country, you can exchange for the local licence (useful for the format).

🇫🇷 France

First inspection at 4 years, then every 2 years. ~€80. Counter-inspection: 4-5 major faults to fix within 2 months.

🇧🇪 Belgium

First inspection at 4 years, then yearly for vehicles older than 4 years. ~€40.

🇨🇭 Switzerland

First at 4 years, then 3 years, then 2 years. Cantonal vehicle service. ~CHF 70.

🇨🇦 Canada

No mandatory inspection in QC. ON and other provinces: inspection only when reselling.