W garage 2026: professional certificate, removable plates and renewal

Are you an automotive professional in France (repairer, dealer, body shop, transporter, importer, manufacturer) and need to move vehicles before definitive registration—for a test drive, roadworthiness check or workshop transfer? The W garage certificate is the right regime: it authorises removable plates tied to your business for the calendar year. This 2026 guide covers who can apply, how to use it, which documents to prepare, the cost, the renewal window, and how it differs from temporary WW plates.

Need a W garage certificate? The online request / renewal flow is available on our French site under “demande ou renouvellement de W garage” (pro procedure). From the English site, start via other procedures or contact — €40 incl. VAT agency fee + €13.76 taxes (€53.76 incl. VAT total).

What is a W garage certificate?

The W garage is a professional registration certificate issued only to automotive businesses. It is tied to the company, not to a private individual. It lets you make plates with the W number and fit them temporarily on the vehicle you need to drive: one vehicle at a time, with the original certificate on board.

It is valid for the calendar year and must be renewed each year between 1 November and 31 December. After that date it is no longer a renewal: you file a new application, receive a new number, and must change the plates.

Who can apply?

The scheme targets professionals whose activity justifies tests or moves before a definitive title: repairers, dealers, transporters, body shops, importers and manufacturers. A recent company extract (Kbis / trades register) and proof of business tax status are required.

Situation	W garage?	Alternative
Garage / dealer testing or moving stock	Yes	Other procedures / French W garage flow
Private import waiting for French title	No	Temporary WW
Trader buying for resale	Useful complement	Purchase declaration (French pro site)
Sale to a private buyer	—	Transfer declaration
Definitive title for the buyer	—	Change of ownership

When and how to use W plates

• New vehicles — prototypes on test, demos, press presentation, test loans before first registration.
• Used vehicles — technical tests linked to repair, transfers between workshops or to a test centre, resale, post-accident towing, etc.
• Special cases — agricultural cooperatives, mechanic training establishments (where rules allow).

You may drive anywhere in France (not limited to your département). You may not use a W garage abroad, nor obtain an “international W garage”, except tightly framed prototype tests with a technical attestation.

If the vehicle is already registered, only the W number should appear on the removable plates for that trip. An employee using the W for the company needs a signed membership attestation from the manager.

Documents required

• Cerfa 13752 — W garage application, signed by the company manager;
• Kbis or trades-register extract less than 6 months old;
• tax proof of activity (business rates, VAT, corporate/income tax, CCI / chamber fees);
• manager ID (national ID, passport or valid driving licence);
• if mandating an accredited provider: Cerfa 13757;
• on renewal: current W number + previous title formula number.

Prepare forms via Cerfa forms or the document generator, then complete the French-site W garage upload flow (or ask via contact).

How much does a W garage cost in 2026?

At Office Carte Grise: €40 incl. VAT agency fee + €13.76 taxes (management + postage), i.e. €53.76 incl. VAT total. Payment is online before document upload.

Five steps to obtain or renew your W

1. Check eligibility and, for renewal, that you are in the Nov–Dec window.
2. Gather Cerfa 13752, company extract, tax proof, ID (and W number + formula if renewing).
3. Order via the French W garage procedure (see other procedures / contact from .com).
4. Pay then upload your documents.
5. Receive the certificate and make / update removable plates; keep the original on board.

W garage vs temporary WW

Criterion	W garage	Temporary WW
Audience	Auto pros	Import / waiting for title
Duration	Calendar year (renewable)	4 months non-renewable
Plates	Removable, company W number	WW dedicated to the vehicle
Path	French W garage flow	WW

For WW details, see also the 2026 WW guide.

Common pitfalls

• Missing the Nov–Dec window — you lose the renewal and the same number.
• Confusing W and WW — different audiences and durations.
• Company extract too old — over 6 months = refusal.
• Forgetting the formula number on renewal.
• Driving abroad on a W garage (forbidden outside prototype exceptions).
• Several vehicles at once under the same W — only one at a time.

FAQ — W garage certificate

Does the W garage replace the customer’s carte grise?

No. It is a temporary professional tool. The end buyer still needs a change of ownership (or foreign vehicle registration for imports).

Can I renew in January?

Not as a clean renewal: outside the window it is a new application with a new number.

Do I need a mandate?

Yes if you use an accredited provider: Cerfa 13757. Office Carte Grise handles the online file.

How is this different from a professional purchase declaration?

The purchase declaration records the buy in the SIV; the W lets you drive with removable plates. They often complement each other in a dealership.

Where do I find the Cerfa?

On Cerfa forms or inside the French W garage flow.

Next steps

Garage, body shop or dealership: do not risk a gap in cover. Use the French W garage request/renewal, and pair it with professional purchase / transfer flows as needed. For other special cases, see other procedures.

Office Carte Grise also covers change of ownership, change of address, duplicate, WW, import and classic registration.