Driving an old car is an incomparable pleasure that takes us back to a bygone era when people took the time to live differently. A pleasure that is challenged by the current ecological pressure and various traffic restrictions. We are sometimes at a loss regarding the course of action to take, and the future remains uncertain for the use of our favorite car. Fortunately, France, one of the pioneers of the automobile, has established powerful bodies that defend the interests of vintage cars. The FFVE works to preserve our automotive heritage. by maintaining constant contact with political authorities, and one thing is certain: the future of classic cars appears to be preserved. To ensure a long life for your classic car, the "carte grise collection" (vintage vehicle registration) seems to be the best solution. ALEPOC invites you to discover the important advantages of this vehicle registration document and its few disadvantages.

The history of the classic car registration document

The "carte grise collection" (vintage vehicle registration) finds its origins in World War II, during which many vehicle registration documents disappeared. These cars continued to circulate for a long time without documentation, which posed obvious problems for public authorities. Thus, in 1966, the mention "collector's vehicle" was introduced to regularize these vintage vehicles and prevent their definitive disappearance. The vintage vehicle registration certificate, as it still exists today, was created in 1984, thanks to the initiative of the French Federation of Vintage Automobiles, the predecessor of the FFVE. This arrangement was not very popular for many years, mainly due to travel restrictions outside the department that limited its development. However, in 2009, with the introduction of the new registration system (SIV), The vintage vehicle registration document has become extremely interesting., to the point of being practically indispensable for cars over 30 years old.

The advantages of the classic car registration document

The advantages are numerous and allow for free movement without constraints while also saving money. Here is an overview of these benefits:

1 – The traffic restrictions are lifted for vintage vehicle registration. Already, your beautiful car can leave the department and even explore the entire world without any special authorization. Additionally, the vintage vehicle registration certificate ensures the right to pass through the low-emission zones (ZFE-m) introduced by the 2019 Mobility Orientation Law (LOM).

To quickly revisit the ZFE-m, it should be noted that eventually most large cities will be integrated into a Low Emission Zone, which aims to prohibit the circulation of the most polluting vehicles.see the list hereIn the initial draft of the law, no exemption was provided for vintage vehicles, but the FFVE has continuously advocated to the government for a permanent exemption for these collector vehicles. Initially, the government encouraged the various metropolitan areas affected by the Low Emission Zones (LEZ) to include such an exemption, which they have done. Today, each LEZ permits vehicles with a collector's registration to circulate without any restrictions. Some go even further, like Paris, by exempting vehicles over 30 years old used for commercial purposes, but for tourist use, such as the beautiful 2CV who roam the capital.

In a second phase, the government is about to create a national system with the introduction of a specific sticker that would permanently exempt all cars with a collector's registration certificate.

2 – A simplified technical inspection: Thanks to the "carte grise collection" (classic car registration), mandatory technical inspections occur every 5 years, compared to every 2 years for a standard registration. Even better, cars from before 1960 and all vehicles over 3.5 tons are exempt from technical inspections. This is an undeniable advantage, especially since the tightening of the technical inspection rules has caused many vintage cars to fail. Moreover, the measures of a technical inspection for a classic car registration are adapted to the vehicle's characteristics. As an added luxury, you can forgo the technical inspection sticker on your windshield.

3 – It will always be repairable: Since your car is considered a heritage object with a collector's registration, it can never be subjected to an Economically Irreparable Vehicle (EIV) or severely damaged vehicle (SDV) procedure. Your car will never be immobilized and will always be able to get a new lease on life for new rides. Yes, even the 2CV from "The Sucker" can be repaired! However, a new inspection will be required before hitting the road again, once the repairs are completed.

4 – Beautiful plates: It's a detail that makes a difference, but the vintage registration certificate allows you to use old-style plates with a black background and clear lettering. It's also possible to have plates in a different format, such as square or circular. An authentic detail that will stand out at the next gathering.

5 – Easier registration: With the classic car registration, there is no longer a need to have a certificate of conformity indicating that the car complies with French homologation. Thus, it is much easier to register foreign vehicles over 30 years old that have never set foot in our country, like this rare one. Renault Alliance that was produced exclusively for the American market.

6 – A cheaper insurance: This point should be nuanced, as it is possible to insure a car with a regular registration as a collection vehicle. Indeed, most insurance companies base their collection contracts on the car's age. This type of contract may be offered as early as the 10th anniversary of the vehicle, for example. In any case, a collection registration will allow for savings on insurance due to the low claim rate and the low mileage covered by the collection fleet.

The disadvantages of the collection status

The advantages are numerous, but it is still important to mention certain disadvantages that might tip the balance one way, depending on the use of the car. Here is a quick overview of the disadvantages of the classic car registration:

1 – No more hidden defect in certain cases :Before 2009, it was impossible to claim a remedy for hidden defects. Judges considered that the vehicle had become a heritage asset, implying that the user accepted that the vehicle was no longer used for normal purposes. Therefore, they could not invoke hidden defects with the seller. However, since 2009, case law has tended to reverse this trend, notably because collector cars no longer have circulation restrictions and some of them are subject to technical inspections.

Several recent rulings from different jurisdictions have confirmed the application of the legal warranty against hidden defects to vintage vehicles, such as the Toulouse Court of Appeal in 2018. The latter declared: "The vehicle presented at the sale to Mr. Z as fully restored was affected by hidden defects existing prior to the sale, making the vehicle dangerous to use, and therefore completely unsuitable for its intended purpose, even if it is a vintage vehicle not intended for daily and intensive use." The judge must interpret the expected use of the vintage car based on its history and pedigree. An old car that struggles to start or overheats in traffic jams is generally not considered to have a hidden defect. However, a car with rusted chassis or defective mechanics may be subject to Article 1641 of the Civil Code.

2 – Additional formalities: During registration, a request for a classic car registration certificate requires providing a certificate attesting to the vehicle's classic status. The vehicle must meet certain conditions (over 30 years old, no longer manufactured, unmodified characteristics, etc.), and the certificate must be issued, for a fee of €60, by the manufacturer or the French Federation of Vintage Vehicles (FFVE). This specific request extends the registration process, which can take between 6 and 8 weeks.

3 – Stay compliant: Once the certification is obtained, the car is certified as original, which means no modifications can be made to the car other than those that could have been available as options on the model. Normally, one should not tamper with the braking system, engine, steering, etc. In practice, minor modifications are tolerated, but one could lose the certification in the case of major changes.

4 – Private use only: One of the main disadvantages of the classic car registration is that it prevents any use of the car for profit-making purposes. Renting for a wedding, between individuals, or for films is normally prohibited. Similarly, it is forbidden to transport people or goods, and utility vehicles can no longer be transformed into food trucks. A vintage car is only to be used for pleasure and occasionally for commuting if the insurance covers it.

5 - The rollback is limited: This is often the aspect that raises the most concern. According to current regulations, the reversibility of the classic car registration is normally possible provided that the car was originally approved in France.sourceThis procedure is even mandatory if one wishes to retrofit a vehicle with a collection registration certificate or use it for professional purposes. In practice, the procedure is not always clear, and the relevant services (such as the ANTS) are not necessarily informed. Therefore, one must be patient to succeed, which may give the impression that going back is impossible. In any case, vehicles that have been registered with a collection registration certificate without French approval or without papers can never be converted to a normal registration certificate.

Finally, it should be noted that the taxation on capital gains in the event of a sale remains the same, regardless of the type of vehicle registration certificate.

The advice of ALEPOC

Thus, it is important to well define the intended use to have from their classic car. Professionals who wish to add a vintage touch to their business will not be able to overlook this option, but for all other enthusiasts who use their car with family or to participate in gatherings and outings, The vintage car registration remains a very advantageous solution.. It allows both cost savings and the ability to keep driving for many years. The automotive heritage continues to grow, and the classic car holds a special place in our societies. It is therefore very likely that it will always be allowed to be on the road, even when the entire fleet consists of semi-autonomous vehicles with alternative energy. Let's wish a long life to the vintage car !