I arrive at the Citroën garage.
‘What do I need to do to register my 2CV in France?’
I am told to go to the third office on the right. Here I am given a form.
I require 4 documents and each of these 4 documents requires supporting documentation (no surprise here!):
1. Certificat d’Importation
2. Certificat de Conformité
3. Contrôle Technique
4. Carte Grise
My first step is to go to the Impôts Office in Ploërmel with a letter from the seller, confirming that he has sold me the 2CV, and the registration document. I am given a certificat d’Importation.
Will the 2cv pass its’ MOT?
Flushed with success, I return to the Citroën garage. My next step is the certificat de conformité. To obtain this certificate, I need 8 documents and to provide a cheque for €150. One of the documents I need is a contrôle technique (MOT). I drive to the MOT garage.
‘Oh non, madame, we cannot MOT your car until you have the certificat de conformité.’
I show the MOT mechanic my letter from Citroën which says I need a contrôle technique before I can apply for the certificat de conformité. He shows me an official document stating that he cannot perform a contrôle technique unless he has a Carte Grise or a certificat de conformité.
I return to the Citroën garage. I explain that it appears that I cannot obtain either document without first obtaining the other.
The Citroën overalled mechanic gives a gallic shrug.
I leave the 2CV Chez Citroën. Will they be able to sort out this bureaucratic tangle?
