Every vehicle owner is required to present a registration document (carte grise) with their current residential address. This is a requirement of the Highway Code (Article R322-1). If you move or if your address changes, you must update the address on your registration document. You have a maximum of 30 days to complete this process. Here, we explain how to do it.
Changing the Address on Your Registration Document Online
Since November 6, 2017, you can no longer access the registration service at a prefecture. All procedures concerning your registration document must be completed online. This is part of the simplification and modernization of administrative procedures under the Next-Generation Prefecture Plan. All secured documents (registration document, passport, ID card, driver’s license) are affected.
Besides the official government website, there are several websites that allow you to carry out various procedures related to your registration document. These sites offer different services and have shorter processing times. The most important thing when choosing a site is to ensure that it is authorized by the Ministry of the Interior and the Public Treasury, like Guichetcartegrise.com, for example. The authorization numbers must be clearly indicated on the homepage of the site.
Steps for an Online Request
Whichever site you choose, it is very easy to request a change of address on your registration document in just a few clicks. Once you log into the site, enter the vehicle’s registration number, your personal information, and your new address. You will receive a new registration document or a label to stick on the existing one, which will be sent directly to your mailbox within 24 to 48 hours.
How Much Does It Cost to Change the Address on a Registration Document?
You are often used to paying for your grey card, often too much, in fact. It is true that in Nice, the price of the fiscal horsepower is the highest in France, at 51.2 euros per fiscal horsepower. Indeed, there are significant disparities between the different regions, with a gap of nearly 24€ between the cheapest fiscal horsepower in Corsica (27,00€) and the amount in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (51,20€). However, if you own an electric vehicle, you are 100% exempt.
Rest assured, the address modification on the registration document is free if you do not request a new card. Indeed, you can request a simple label to attach to the existing registration document. A cost is only applied if it is the 4th change. In this case, you will receive a new registration document for a cost of 2.76€ on the national site.
On the other hand, if you have not changed your address and you are checked by law enforcement, you are subject to a fine of 135 euros.
Contacting an Automotive Professional
If you do not have access to new technologies, or if it is a new registration document, you can delegate the process to an authorized automotive professional. They can complete the process on your behalf for a new vehicle or assist you in your address change procedure.
