The administrative process for buying and selling a vehicle has recently been been simplified by the government.

The national launch of the 'Simplimmat' application follows successful trials carried out in several departments.

The application enables the transfer of the vehicle from seller to buyer and creation of the new registration certificate – the carte grise.

Under French law the transfer of a vehicle must be notified to the government within 15 days of the sale and the registration document applied for within one month.

The new app will allow both processes to be carried out immediately and securely and the registration document received within days.

After downloading the app from either Google Play or Apple Store, you need to create an account with your phone number and a confirmation code.

You then access your account using the general government portal FranceConnect (via the AMELI tax and health insurance website, etc.).

Simplimmat.gouv. fr acts as an interface between a seller, who fills out a transfer certificate, and a buyer, to who transmits the information using their mobile number and a QR code. Buyer and seller must be with each other for it to work. The seller must also have the existing registration document.

After verification of all information by the seller and buyer, including confirmation that the seller can freely dispose of the vehicle (no lien), the transfer document is signed electronically on the app. The documents are registered and the application for a vehicle registration document can then be made. A delay of 3/4 days is anticipated. During this period, a provisional registration certificate is available.

The use of the app is not compulsory, so buyers and sellers can continue to use the existing process (which is set out in our guide below).