An FFVE certificate alone is no longer valid for registering a classic import over 30 years old - you now need either a certificate of conformity or an RTI from DREAL AS WELL!
This is to ensure that the imported vehicle complies with french regulations apparently.
Biggest flaw in this is that to qualify as a vehicule de collection it cannot be fundamentally altered but to conform to french regs it might well need to be fundamentally altered.
I hope it is just ANTS bullsh*t but I have written to FFVE for confirmation.
The response to a message to ANTS got this reply - "Note from the instructing department
01/07/2021 13:31 AUTR
Other reason - free field: Hello, we acknowledge receipt of your message sent on 01-07-2021. Concerning the previous vehicles having a certificate of the F.F.V.E., their definitive registrations with the mention of collection use will not be cancelled. However, in order to process your request and as indicated in our previous message, please send us a technical proof of conformity (certificate of conformity issued by the manufacturer or the official report of acceptance as a single vehicle (PV de R.T.I.) issued by the D. R.E.A.L.) in application of article 1-E of the decree of 9 February 2009 since the F.F.V.E. certificate transmitted by you is only used to add the use “collection vehicle” (article 4-E of the decree of 9 February 2009) and does not replace the technical proof of conformity to be produced. The scope of intervention of the D.R.E.A.L., placed under the authority of the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Solidarity, was extended in June 2021 to enable them to issue an individual type-approval report for all vehicles (including those over 30 years old) that have neither a Community type-approval nor a national type-approval, which ensures their conformity. Yours sincerely"
This happens to be a 1987 2CV.
I have submitted quite a few vehicles for registration under the ANTS system & not had a problem until today. The FFVE attestation has always been recognized for imported collection vehicles.
I’m not sure if ANTS are correct as imported collection cars of any age still need a CT initially, albeit a sensitive one so the safety element has already been checked. I am not sure what exactly a DREAL RTI would be looking at in this case as there are often no specifications available for some older vehicles.
I wonder what the Co2 emissions should be on my 1938 Armstrong Siddeley ? The headlights do not have a patterned beam & dip by activating a magnet to move the reflector. No rear fog light, windscreen washers, seat belts or air bags & enough projections to impale a football team.
Fortunalely it is already registered here courtesy of an FFVE certificate.
As I recall from many years ago… the CTechnique inspector … looked at the car… looked in his computer for guidance… then weighed the car… and called it quits.
Mind you, it was a 1925 Citrœn Trèfle… totally original… a little gem.
I’m not sure it should apply at all!
I have a few FFVE bikes going through at the moment so I will have to see if it is a trend or just one operative’s misinterpretation.
Good news!
Well, after contemplating the response from FFVE & no doubt a clarification from the various official bodies concerned, ANTS have changed their stance & have now accepted the FFVE attestation only & issued a carte grise for the 2CV & some of the other collection vehicles I have had pending with them.
The “and/or” misunderstanding is now sorted & imported collection vehicles are being processed as normal.
It is now possible to obtain a certificate from DREAL but I wonder if it involves taking the vehicle to them? The FFVE applications are issued via the post & a physical inspection is not required.
Thank you but there was an issue with ANTS who seemed to think that the purpose of the FFVE certificate for registering an imported collection vehicle had recently been taken away & that new legislation now required a DREAL RTI. In fact no new legislation had been made & there was a misunderstanding - now rectified - between the departments with ANTS thinking that a DREAL inspection was now needed.
Fortunately now sorted!
As a garagiste & long term residentI know the system well & I know that the FFVE certificate has been the only attestation necessary but individual ANTS operatives can sometimes be a little “creative” in their interpretation of the requirements!
I currently have about 12 collection imports being analyzed by ANTS & now that the mistake by ANTS has been resolved I am now having them approved again, thank goodness.
The original ANTS notice was for a Citroen 2CV which is now correctly registered & subsequently a campervan & 4 motorbikes have also been approved so - crisis over!
This is my collection vehicle -
Thnking about it… it was nearly 10 years ago, while out on a rally, he ground to a halt… and stood there, inspecting his tyres.
We pulled in behind… and went over to see what was happening.
This tyre has let me down!
That’s terrible, and it looks almost new… get your money back !
Well, I don’t think I can… it’s not had much use, but …
Oh… how old is it then…?
Might be an original…
