Living in France is an absolute pleasure but when French bureaucracy gets involved, it can make life very difficult.
Here is the conversation Nicola has been having with the garage regarding her little 2cv’s contrôle technique:
« The Citroën garage have called. The MOT garage will not perform a MOT without a Certificat de Conformité.
Yes, I know that.
– What shall I do? You won’t issue a Certificat de Conformité without a Contrôle Technique (MOT). I ask.
– I don’t know Madame, but you must come and collect the 2CV.
So, the 2CV is now back home. There is always more than one way to skin a cat…
I have two avenues to explore:
1. Are there any other companies that can issue a Certificat de Conformité? I will do some internet research today…
2. Is there a MOT garage in Brittany that will perform an MOT on a car with British registration documents? I will make some phone calls this morning… ».
Editor’s Note:
French bureaucracy is often joked about for its love of paperwork and formalities. Picture a maze of administrative procedures, where every turn leads to another desk with a new form to fill out. It’s like a ritual dance, where each step must be precisely followed, and skipping one could send you back to the start. The officials, guardians of this labyrinth, are sticklers for detail, ensuring every ‘i’ is dotted and every ‘t’ is crossed. While it can be daunting for those unaccustomed to it, for the French, it’s just another day navigating their intricate system of rules and regulations.
