How long does it take to receive my registration document?

The provisional registration certificate (CPI) is issued immediately and lets you drive right away. The final registration document is sent to you within 2 to 3 business days.

What documents do I need to provide?

A valid ID, proof of address less than 6 months old, and the previous registration document (or the transfer certificate for a change of owner). Additional documents may be required depending on your situation: imported vehicle, provisional WW plates, etc.

Is the service authorised by the French Ministry of the Interior?

Yes. The process is carried out via our partner Certimat, authorised and approved by the French Ministry of the Interior for handling registration applications.

Can I register an imported vehicle?

Yes. For an imported vehicle you will generally also need a certificate of conformity (COC) and, in some cases, a tax clearance certificate. We can help you with these steps in parallel.

What is a temporary WW plate?

It is a temporary registration (WW series) that lets you drive legally while waiting for your final registration document — particularly useful for a recently imported vehicle.

Advice & conditions

Temporary car insurance in France:
everything you need to know

Who can subscribe, which countries are covered, what is guaranteed, what is excluded and the exact documents required. An instant certificate by e-mail, from 1 to 90 days — foreign licences accepted.

When to use it

When should you take out temporary car insurance?

Short-term car insurance in France covers a specific, time-limited need — without committing to an annual contract. The most common situations:

Imported vehicle

Drive legally while you complete the French registration (carte grise) of a car bought abroad.

Used-car purchase

Insure a second-hand vehicle the day you buy it, before arranging annual cover.

Test drive

Cover a car you are trying out or about to buy, for a few days only.

Borrowed vehicle

Drive a friend's or family member's car when you are not on their policy.

Released from the pound

Get the certificate the pound requires to release an impounded vehicle.

Vehicle export

Cover your vehicle up to embarkation when exporting it out of France.

Foreign licence

Drive in France with an EU or non-EU licence held for more than 2 years.

Between two annual policies

Stay covered while you wait for a new yearly contract to start.

Eligibility

Who can subscribe?

The subscription rules are set by our partner insurer. The main conditions:

Driver aged 21 to 90
Licence held for more than 2 years in the vehicle's category
French or foreign licence accepted
Non-EU licence: accepted with a valid residence permit or visa — an official translation or export certificate may be required
For C, CE, D and DE licences: a medical certificate issued before the licence expiry date
Duration from 1 to 90 days
Vehicle registered in one of the covered countries (see below)

Not sure about your situation? Send us a message on WhatsApp or reply to your confirmation e-mail — an advisor will check your file with you.

Required documents

Which documents are required?

The exact list depends on your profile. Only these documents are valid; for any unusual case, contact us to check the file together.

List 1 — standard

National driving licence (front & back), valid 2+ years, driver aged 21–90
Medical certificate (C, CE, D, DE licences only)
ID card (front & back) — for licence-free quadricycles only
Vehicle registration (carte grise, front & back) — or provisional certificate (CPI), auction invoice, police impound sheet, or transfer certificate

List 2 — foreign licence

National driving licence (front & back), valid 2+ years, aged 21–90
Valid residence permit OR valid visa (issued less than a year ago, except students / special cases)
Vehicle registration document (official translation may be required)

List 3 — proof of address

National driving licence (front & back), valid 2+ years, aged 21–90
Proof of address less than 3 months old (utility bill, tax notice) in the driver's name
Vehicle registration document

Good to know. A foreign registration document written in another language may require an official translation or an export certificate. Foreign registrations in a company name must be accompanied by a purchase invoice or a sales certificate. For vehicles over 30 French fiscal HP, photos of each side of the vehicle are required (vehicles under 3.5 t GVW).

Coverage

Which countries are covered?

Third-party liability applies to vehicles driven exclusively in the following countries (non-crossed-out countries on the green card):

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Germany
Denmark
Spain
Estonia
France
Finland
Greece
Hungary
Croatia
Italy
Ireland
Iceland
Luxembourg
Lithuania
Latvia
Malta
Norway
Netherlands
Portugal
Poland
Romania
Sweden
Slovakia
Slovenia
Switzerland
United Kingdom

Border insurance only — these countries are added exclusively for the border-insurance product (for vehicles not registered in a green-card country):

Andorra
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Montenegro
Serbia

Good to know. The cover applies to the countries listed — and not crossed out — on the green card handed over when the policy is taken out. The list of countries and guarantees is provided by our partner insurer (HDI Global Specialty SE). Exact conditions and exclusions are detailed in your contract. This content is informative and does not replace the contractual terms.

Guarantees

What is covered?

The mandatory cover is motor third-party liability (responsabilité civile automobile), under article L211-1 of the French Insurance Code. It indemnifies bodily injury and/or material damage you may cause to others in a road accident involving the insured vehicle.

Unlimited cover for bodily injury to third parties
Material damage covered up to the limit shown in your particular conditions
Covers the policyholder, the vehicle owner and any authorised driver
Covers accidents caused by an authorised minor, a public servant, or during a loan of the vehicle
An instant insurance certificate by e-mail — recognised by the police, the pound and the préfecture

For certain profiles (vehicles under 10 years old, registered in France or the EU), a breakdown and accident assistance guarantee may be included. The exact guarantees, assistance and any options are detailed in your particular conditions.

Exclusions

What is not covered?

As with any motor policy, some situations are excluded. The main ones:

Damage to the insured vehicle itself
Accidents while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Racing, rallies, speed trials or timed events
Non-payment of premium
Intentional false declaration or aggravation of risk
War, invasion, civil unrest, riots and strikes
Terrorism and nuclear energy risks
Paid transport of goods or passengers
Transport of explosives, flammable liquids or compressed gases
Vehicles from major rental companies (Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Avis, etc.)
Trams, rail or cable vehicles
Earthquake, wind, hail, floods or bush fire

This is a summary. The complete list of exclusions is set out in the general terms and conditions (HDI Global Specialty SE). In case of doubt about your situation, ask us before subscribing.

The contract

Duration, claims and the insurer

Duration

The policy takes effect and ends at the exact dates and times shown on your particular conditions and green card. It is not renewed automatically. Temporary cover runs from 1 to 90 days; border insurance is issued for either 30 or 90 days.

In case of a claim

You must report any claim within 5 working days, using the contact details shown on your green card. Bodily injury is covered without limit; the insurer handles the defence of your interests and settles compensation on your behalf if you are held liable.

The insurer

The cover is underwritten by HDI Global Specialty SE (HDI-Platz 1, D-30659 Hannover, Germany), an EEA insurer operating in France under the freedom to provide services. In the event of a claim in France, the contract is governed by French law (French Insurance Code).

Temporary car insurance in France:everything you need to know