One number for the vehicle’s whole lifetime

Vehicles receive a new plate number:

• since 15 April 2009 for new vehicles
• since 15 October 2009 for used vehicles registered under the old system

Vehicles that have received their new number will keep it until they are destroyed or exported.

 

When a change is made to the vehicle registration certificate (carte grise):

• The vehicle retains the same plate number from the date of its first registration until it is destroyed or exported, regardless of the identity or address of the successive owners
• Owners are no longer required to change their number plate if they move to another département,
• Owners are no longer required to change the vehicle registration document when relocating; instead they must report the change of address to receive a stick-on label
• owners can apply for their vehicle registration document anywhere in France, regardless of where they reside.

What is the format of this new plate ?

The new number is made up of a series of 7 alphanumeric characters: 2 letters, 1 dash, 3 digits, 1 dash and 2 letters.

It is allocated chronologically in a single national series.

Choosing one is not allowed.

 

The new plate, with black lettering on a white background, is easier to read. A territorial identifier appears on the right-hand side against a blue background.

 

Display of a territorial identifier on the plate

A "territorial identifier" must appear on the plate.

It consists of a département number and the logo of the corresponding region.

 

Vehicle owners are entirely free to choose the number of the département with which they feel the strongest ties. It does not have to be your home département.

So, for example, an Alsatian, a West Indian, a Breton, a Ch'ti or a Corsican living in a region other than where they were born can show off their roots if desired.

 

The vehicle owner can change the "region - département" identifiers at any time by changing the plates, without having to go through any administrative procedures.

Please note that stickers are not permitted. All you have to do is go to a professional who manufactures and fits the plates.
 If the vehicle is acquired by a new owner, the latter can change the "region - département" identifiers or keep them if they wish.

 

Register your vehicle with an authorised professional

New features of the SIV

You can now apply to register your vehicle from authorised and/or SIV-approved motor trade professionals (garages, dealerships, etc.), namely those that have signed an agreement with the Ministry of the Interior.

These professionals take care of registration procedures for both new and used vehicles.

• Authorisation: An authorised professional records the vehicle registration application directly in the SIV app. Payment can be made on-site using the customer's credit/debit card, depending on the solution chosen by the authorised professional.
• Authorisation and approval: An authorised and approved professional records the registration application and collects the fees on behalf of the National Treasury.

As a user, you can apply to register your vehicle directly online.
You will receive your vehicle registration document directly at your home address by mail, in a secure envelope.

To enable you to get on the road without delay while you're waiting for the permanent document, you can obtain a provisional registration certificate (CPI) containing the permanent plate number, either from a professional or from your online application.

This CPI is also sent to your account if you applied online.

 

Why change the system?

The new vehicle registration system (SIV project) came about because of:

• the ageing of the old vehicle registration system (carte grise)
• computer servers reaching their limits and only allowing upgrades on a small scale.

It had become necessary to anticipate the expiry of the numbering system, which dated from the 1950s and was rapidly reaching its limits, particularly in Paris.

 

Back in 2001, the Ministry of Transport and the automotive industry began discussing the idea of replacing the current registration system with another that would be more sustainable, safer, more efficient and better-suited to the development of digital government services.

 

The complexity of this operation, which is not the result of a European directive, required a great deal of preparation, involving professionals from the automotive sector, the Ministry of Transport and all the other ministries concerned.

 

Timeline

• New vehicles were entered in the SIV beginning 15 April 2009
• Used vehicles were entered in the SIV beginning 15 October 2009, when there is a change of owner or address, or any other change affecting the vehicle registration document
• For transactions that do not require the printing of a registration document (declarations of purchase, transfer, etc.), the new system will be rolled out gradually, as operations are carried out, with no deadline
• The gradual roll-out of the SIV took place over a total period of 6 months (from 15 April to 15 October 2009). In other words, from that date on, no more transactions took place under the old system (known as FNI). However, it will take several years for all vehicles currently registered with the FNI to be transferred to the SIV system, as and when they are sold or acquired, or when a new registration certificate is issued.
• The changeover of the "FNI" fleet to the SIV is expected to be completed by 2020.

Mopeds

Mopeds have been included in the new system since 15 April 2009. Unregistered ones had to be registered under the new system from 1 January 2011, but only if the owner intends to use them on public roads.

 

Vintage vehicles

Vintage vehicles use a special system to preserve their historic character. They are allowed to have a plate with a black background if desired, with an SIV number (when a new registration certificate is issued).

 

The cost of the registration certificate

The rules governing regional fees on vehicle registration certificates are unchanged. Regional fees will continue to be calculated based on the address shown on your vehicle registration document (with proof of address).