Thanks Pongo and CREER for good information! I have now started the paper process to become a nice and legal rider!

And since this is an international foum, it isn't off-topic to point out that under the various conventions, eg Vienna Convention, the same rules re MOT and TÜV needing to be current apply to all those vehicles getting around in other countries of the world, many of which have been away from home for years

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Tony
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I've been the legislation adviser ( and ex co founder)to Bikers Club France for many years ( www.bikersclubfrance.com ). I don't do it now as I've retired and stepped down, but I keep up to date with developments. You would have had to go via the DREAL ( formerly DRIRE) in 2001 anyway to register, because Type Approval wasn't introduced until 2003.
With type approval ( a long number beginning with letter ''e'' on your registration document), came a set of European standards requirements for both equipment and fixtures ( like lens covers and seat frames) and also emissions controls. Vehicles conforming to these requirements with the unique type approval number can get a certificate of European conformity from the manufacturer. This certficate is now required by France to allow you to register your vehicle. Some vehicles which are borderline date wise, and don't have a type approval number can sometimes get national type approval certificates or ''partial'' certs of conformity which cover certain aspects, but owners still have to open a DREAL dossier for vehicle inspection to cover those elements not on the certificate, in order to get a final approval for ''immatriculation''.

Can be a nightmare.

If a vehicle is more than 30 years old, you register it as a collectors vehicle through the FFVE ( Federation Française de véhicules d'époque ) and you don't have to get a cert of conformity,. The FFVE issue an ''attestation'' equivalent of the COC which you use to register the vehicle.

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-''It is better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction''. ( Herman Siu)
-'' Live life then give life '' (www.lltgl.org.uk)