Private website, independent from the French State. Our fees cover our assistance service. You can complete your procedures free of charge (excluding registration taxes) on ants.gouv.fr. (Authorisation No. 188573)

Office Carte Grise

Online vehicle registration service for France

Account
← News

Registering a classic vehicle in France: the collection status explained

Registering a classic vehicle in France: the collection status explained

Updated 2026: detailed guide FFVE certificate step by step, order an FFVE certificate, or start classic vehicle registration.

Is your vehicle 30 years old or more? Are you thinking of buying a classic car?

Did you know that you can apply to have the "collection" (historic vehicle) status added to the registration certificate (carte grise) of any motor vehicle — car, motorcycle, lorry, moped, agricultural tractor, trailer or military vehicle?

The point of this inexpensive procedure is to get the mention "véhicule de collection" (historic vehicle) printed on your registration certificate. Among other things, this allows you to:

  • Drive without a Crit'Air sticker in the large French cities that restrict access for polluting vehicles,
  • For vehicles subject to the roadworthiness test (contrôle technique), have it carried out every 5 years instead of the usual 2 — and the test itself is less strict than for other vehicles,
  • For vehicles first registered before 1 January 1961, be exempt from the roadworthiness test altogether.

Certain conditions must be met to apply for collection status:

  • The vehicle must be 30 years old or more,
  • The roadworthiness test must be valid (except for two-wheelers),
  • The model must no longer be in production,
  • The vehicle must not have been modified,
  • The vehicle must not be used for professional purposes.

There are 3 possible scenarios for moving a vehicle to collection status:

  • Converting your own vehicle to collection status,
  • Buying a classic vehicle and registering it in your name,
  • Buying an imported classic vehicle and registering it in your name.

In every case, the first step goes through the FFVE (Fédération Française des Véhicules d'Époque — the French federation for historic vehicles). With a form, a few photos and proof of ownership, you can obtain an attestation that entitles you to the collection mention on your registration certificate. It costs 60 euros, or 30 euros for mopeds (50 cc).

The FFVE is authorised to issue this attestation because it first verifies your vehicle's details through a regulated check. Its mission is to preserve the heritage of period vehicles.

Note that the FFVE does not issue registration certificates — only an attestation. If you no longer have the vehicle's registration certificate, the FFVE attestation serves as the official document for passing the roadworthiness test or applying for a new registration certificate.

1/ Converting your own vehicle to collection status:

Once your vehicle turns 30, it becomes eligible for the "historic vehicle" mention.

You submit your file to the FFVE. Once you receive the attestation, you send your application to the ANTS through its website, or through a service accredited by the French state.

For the ANTS file, you also need to provide the usual documents:

  • Identity card,
  • Driving licence,
  • Proof of address less than 6 months old,
  • Roadworthiness test less than 6 months old,
  • Valid insurance certificate,
  • The registration certificate.

If you no longer have the registration certificate, the FFVE attestation will serve as supporting evidence for the ANTS — but it is important to keep any earlier proof of ownership (handwritten transfer document, notarised deed or invoice).

2/ Buying a classic vehicle:

You're about to buy a model more than 30 years old. The procedure is just as simple as for your own vehicle, provided you have the sale and purchase documents in hand.

When you submit your file to the FFVE, you must include — in addition to the photos and the form — the transfer certificate (certificat de cession) or any document proving the origin of ownership and the change of owner.

Once you receive the attestation, the process is the same as before: send your file to the ANTS, this time remembering to include the transfer certificate and to apply for a change of ownership with the historic vehicle mention.

3/ Buying an imported classic vehicle:

Registering an imported classic is no harder than registering a French one — the process just involves 3 steps.

The first step is to check the documents in your possession. For a vehicle imported from within Europe, you need a tax clearance certificate (quitus fiscal), obtained from the tax office covering your commune. For a vehicle imported from outside Europe, you need a copy of the customs certificate 846A.

This first step is essential to prove that the vehicle's tax situation is in order — both the FFVE and the ANTS will ask for these documents.

The second step is to send your file to the FFVE. Along with the form, the photos and the proof of ownership (transfer certificate and foreign registration document), you must include the document from the tax or customs authorities.

Once you receive your FFVE attestation, you proceed as in the other cases: submit your file to the ANTS, either on its official website or via an accredited service, applying for a change of ownership with the historic vehicle mention.

You will need to supply all the usual documents plus the FFVE attestation and the tax clearance certificate or customs form.

We are of course here to guide you through every step of the process. You can find full information about the FFVE on its website: www.ffve.org