The change of vehicle registration ownership refers to the administrative procedure that transfers a registration certificate from an old holder to a new one. This process, mandatory after any purchase of a used vehicle, must be completed within one month. After this period, the new owner is driving illegally and risks a fine.
Check the authorization of the vehicle registration professional before delegating
Most guides detail the procedure on the official France Titres (formerly ANTS) website. Less discussed is the choice of the private provider to whom the file is entrusted, and the guarantees to demand.
A decree from July 1, 2025, has tightened the access conditions to the Vehicle Registration System (SIV) for authorized professionals. Garages and platforms that handle ownership changes must now meet strict criteria:
- Justify at least one year of activity in the automotive sector, with a dedicated premises for this activity
- Present a clean criminal record for each employee with access to the SIV
- Archive all processed files in a compliant digital safe according to a specific standard
Since August 1, 2026, the requirements are even stricter for so-called “SIV2” professionals: at least three years of experience, a minimum annual volume of files, and the end of automatic renewal of agreements. These rules aim to combat fraudulent registrations.
Before entrusting a file, a useful reflex is to check that the provider appears on the official list of authorized professionals. To carry out a change of vehicle registration ownership with Auto l’Hebdo, the file is processed by an intermediary approved by the Ministry of the Interior, which guarantees the compliance of the process.
Documents required for the change of vehicle registration ownership
The file is based on a common set of documents applicable to all situations, supplemented by specific supporting documents depending on the buyer’s profile (individual, company, association).
The common core includes:
- The old registration certificate, crossed out and signed by the seller with the mention “sold on” followed by the date and time
- The cerfa form 13750 for registration request, completed and signed
- A valid identity document and a proof of residence less than six months old
- The transfer code provided by the seller after their online declaration on France Titres
- A valid technical inspection report less than six months old for vehicles over four years old (except for regulatory exemptions)
For co-holders, each person listed on the registration certificate must provide an identity document. Hosted individuals must add a certificate of accommodation and a proof of residence from the host.
An incomplete file almost always results in a refusal. The most common mistake remains the omission of the transfer code, which the seller generates during their online sale declaration. Without this code, the request is blocked on the buyer’s side.
Cost of the change of ownership: breakdown of the price
The total cost of a new registration certificate is not a fixed amount. It results from the sum of several taxes whose amounts vary according to the region and the characteristics of the vehicle.
Regional tax and fiscal power
The regional tax constitutes the main part of the price. It is calculated by multiplying the fiscal power of the vehicle (indicated in box P.6 of the old registration certificate) by the unit rate of the fiscal horsepower set by each regional council. This rate varies significantly from one region to another.
For vehicles over ten years old, some regions apply a 50% reduction on this tax. So-called clean vehicles (electric, hydrogen) often benefit from a total or partial exemption depending on regional deliberations.
Additional taxes and fees
In addition to the regional tax, there are the management tax, the fee for the secure title delivery, and, if applicable, the environmental penalty for the most polluting vehicles. Imported used vehicles may also be subject to a CO2 tax upon their first registration in France.
The total can vary from a few dozen euros for a low-power vehicle in a region with moderate rates, to several hundred euros for a powerful vehicle in a region with a high fiscal horsepower rate.
Online procedure on France Titres: common blocking points
Since the closure of counters in prefectures for registration procedures, the process is entirely conducted through the France Titres website. Connection is made via FranceConnect.
The online journey guides the buyer step by step, but several points generate recurring blocks. The form requires entering the exact number on the old registration certificate: any typing error causes an immediate rejection.
The technical inspection must be recorded digitally in the system before the file submission. A valid paper report that has not been transmitted by the control center will block the request. Checking this point with the center before starting the procedure avoids unnecessary back and forth.
For those who are not comfortable with the digital process, Digital Points (formerly Digital Welcome Points) allow assistance on-site with their supporting documents.
Once the file is validated, a provisional registration certificate (CPI) is generated. It allows circulation for one month while waiting for the receipt of the final title by mail. The CPI alone is not sufficient to resell the vehicle: one must wait for the final registration certificate for any new transfer.
