Temporary car insurance in France for UK drivers
Buying a car in France, driving a French-registered vehicle on a UK licence, or bringing a UK-plated car over? Here is exactly what French temporary insurance does for you — with proof of cover by e-mail in minutes.
A word on names, because enquiries come in every shape: United Kingdom, UK, England, Great Britain, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all fall under the same cover. The United Kingdom is England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland together; Great Britain is the main island. The rule is the same for all of them: cover is maintained after Brexit. Do not confuse this with the Republic of Ireland, which is an EU country and follows the same conditions as France.
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It takes about three minutes, and your certificate is emailed to you as soon as you have paid.
Would you rather not fill in a French form? Send us your driving licence and your registration document on WhatsApp and an English-speaking adviser completes it for you.
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Bought a car in France? Drive it home.
This is the most common case. You buy a car in France — from a dealer, a private seller or at auction — and need it insured from the moment of sale until it is registered in the UK. Temporary insurance covers exactly that window: the paperwork period in France, the drive to Calais, the ferry or tunnel crossing, and the roads on the other side, since the UK is one of the 35 covered countries.
You do not need a French carte grise in your name to subscribe: the signed sale certificate with the carte grise slip, an auction invoice less than two months old, or a provisional registration certificate (CPI) are accepted instead. Right-hand drive makes no difference — the vehicle is insured whatever the position of the wheel.
European Union 27 countries
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
Outside the EU 8 countries
- United Kingdom
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Iceland
- Andorra
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Montenegro
- Serbia
The United Kingdom is one of the uncrossed countries on the green card — cover follows you across the Channel.
Driving on a UK licence
Since Brexit a UK licence counts as a non-EU licence. It is accepted with two years' driving history in the category, for drivers aged 21 to 90, together with proof of lawful presence in France — a residence permit, or your passport with entry evidence. Send your documents to an adviser on WhatsApp before paying: you get a yes or no in minutes, in English.
UK-registered vehicle staying in France?
A vehicle still on UK plates cannot take the standard temporary policy, which requires an EU registration. It falls under border insurance, designed for vehicles registered outside the EU: 30 or 90 days, cars and vans only. The right product depends on your exact situation — one WhatsApp message sorts it out.
From the auction room in France to your driveway in the UK.
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See also: living in France with a foreign licence · See also: Import a car · Foreign licence · Border insurance · Temporary insurance (EN)
Frequently asked questions
Can a UK driver get French temporary car insurance?
Yes. A UK licence is accepted with two years' driving history in the category, for drivers aged 21 to 90, with proof of lawful presence such as a residence permit or passport entry evidence.
I bought a car in France — can I drive it back to the UK?
Yes. The United Kingdom is one of the 35 covered countries, so the policy covers the French leg, the Channel crossing and the UK roads, for 1 to 90 days.
Which documents replace the carte grise after a purchase?
The signed sale certificate with the carte grise slip, an auction invoice less than two months old, or a provisional registration certificate (CPI). Our adviser checks them before you pay.
Is the UK still covered after Brexit?
Yes. The UK stayed in the green card system, an agreement between national insurance bureaux that is independent of EU membership.
Do I need a paper green card to cross the Channel?
Since August 2021 the UK authorities no longer require a paper green card for vehicles insured in the European Economic Area. Keep a digital copy of your certificate anyway.
Is a right-hand-drive car a problem?
No. The vehicle is insured whatever the position of the steering wheel, as long as its registration is accepted — French or most EU papers. A UK-registered vehicle needs border insurance instead.
Can you insure my UK-plated car in France?
Not with the standard temporary policy, which requires an EU registration. UK plates fall under border insurance: 30 or 90 days, cars and vans only.
How fast do I get proof of cover?
The insurance certificate arrives by e-mail within minutes of subscribing, 24/7, weekends and bank holidays included.
Can I subscribe from the UK before travelling?
Yes, the subscription is fully online. Have your licence, passport and the vehicle documents ready; an English-speaking adviser is available on WhatsApp at +33 6 49 26 74 62.
How long can I insure the car for?
Any period from 1 to 90 days. If your UK registration takes longer than planned, tell your adviser — a further period can be arranged.
What if I have an accident on the way home?
The policy terms and the green card apply, under the law of the country where the accident occurs. Report it within five working days, by WhatsApp or e-mail.
Ferry or Channel Tunnel — any difference for insurance?
None. Both crossings are fine; check-in formalities are a customs and carrier matter, not an insurance one.