Purchasing a French Motorcycle.
May 16th 2019, 11:22 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 2
Purchasing a French Motorcycle.
Hi,
I am new to this so please bear with me if my questions seem obtuse.
I am resident in the UK and have an apartment in the Languedoc which I use for a few months of the year, I also have a French bank account.
I have the chance to buy a secondhand motorcycle which I would use in France for this summer then hopefully ride back to the UK later in the year.
Can I register the bike at my French apartment in my name then obtain French insurance cover, for the summer, before riding back to the UK, I am aware that I would need to reregister the bike once in the UK and change a few things to comply with UK law but it is the initial registration in France that I cannot seem to get any definitive information on on the web, it is probably out there on a French website but my French is to say the least very rusty.
Any help would be appreciated.
I am new to this so please bear with me if my questions seem obtuse.
I am resident in the UK and have an apartment in the Languedoc which I use for a few months of the year, I also have a French bank account.
I have the chance to buy a secondhand motorcycle which I would use in France for this summer then hopefully ride back to the UK later in the year.
Can I register the bike at my French apartment in my name then obtain French insurance cover, for the summer, before riding back to the UK, I am aware that I would need to reregister the bike once in the UK and change a few things to comply with UK law but it is the initial registration in France that I cannot seem to get any definitive information on on the web, it is probably out there on a French website but my French is to say the least very rusty.
Any help would be appreciated.
May 16th 2019, 3:13 pm
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Scotland & Touraine [37]
Posts: 3,019
Re: Purchasing a French Motorcycle.
Hi
Welcome to the forum.
Is it a private sale or a dealer?
Yes you can register it at your french address.
If it is a dealer sale then they may do that for you.
You would need to provide a copy of your passport as ID.
If it a private sale then they may advise you on how to register it at the Prefecture.
Don't know about motorcycles but a car needs a controle technique (MOT) at 4 years and this must be less than 6?? months old at the time of sale. i.e. it should have a very recent CT.
Getting insurance may be expensive without proof of NCB.
You would also need to comply with UK MOT on your return to the UK.
I assume that bikes need an MOT.
Welcome to the forum.
Is it a private sale or a dealer?
Yes you can register it at your french address.
If it is a dealer sale then they may do that for you.
You would need to provide a copy of your passport as ID.
If it a private sale then they may advise you on how to register it at the Prefecture.
Don't know about motorcycles but a car needs a controle technique (MOT) at 4 years and this must be less than 6?? months old at the time of sale. i.e. it should have a very recent CT.
Getting insurance may be expensive without proof of NCB.
You would also need to comply with UK MOT on your return to the UK.
I assume that bikes need an MOT.
May 16th 2019, 5:04 pm
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 2
Re: Purchasing a French Motorcycle.
Hi,
Many thanks for the quick response, it is a private sale, the result of one glass to many in the owners bar but still a bargain, I believe that the bike doesn't need an MOT equivalent in France as the same rules don't apply to bikes as cars, I will be back in France later this month so will be able to pursue the registration when I am down there, then its a matter of finding an insurance company to cover me for France before it gets back to the UK!
I will let you know how I get on.
Many thanks for the quick response, it is a private sale, the result of one glass to many in the owners bar but still a bargain, I believe that the bike doesn't need an MOT equivalent in France as the same rules don't apply to bikes as cars, I will be back in France later this month so will be able to pursue the registration when I am down there, then its a matter of finding an insurance company to cover me for France before it gets back to the UK!
I will let you know how I get on.
May 16th 2019, 6:20 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Scotland & Touraine [37]
Posts: 3,019
Re: Purchasing a French Motorcycle.
Another thought.
If you need to cancel a french insurance policy then you need to send a recorded delivery letter well in advance of the renewal date.
Just letting it lapse as in the UK wont work.
HTH
If you need to cancel a french insurance policy then you need to send a recorded delivery letter well in advance of the renewal date.
Just letting it lapse as in the UK wont work.
HTH
