I didn’t see this topic at first since I created an account straight from a forum post I found while Googling, so I figured I would say hello now.
Coming from America, I am looking at the possibility of relocating to France… or maybe not, it’s a long story. I’ll get into some more details in other posts, but the basics are my mother is a cancer survivor and wants to follow her dream of retiring in France. She also wants me to go with her for support and assistance, but… France and I have issues. The foremost is getting a job in France, which seems nigh impossible. Then there is my love of cars and racing, while France seems to hate cars. When I say “France” I mean the French government/bureaucracy/rules, not the French people.
I’ve lived in Europe before and liked it very much. In fact, I wish I had stayed back then. But that was a long time ago in Scandinavia when it was easier. Maybe with the advice from people here I can figure out how to get along with France as well.
Welcome. You are correct it may be difficult for you to find a job in France. On the subject of cars you are completely wrong. France loves cars. I suggest you do a little more research.
Greetings.
Probably the first aspect to resolve is the visa issue.
If you can see your way to obtaining a visa, then you can look into resolving whichever particular aspects of France’s rules on cars etc you think you may have problems with.
But unless you see a route to a visa, there seems no point in worrying about racing your cars here.
The reason I say that France hates cars is because it is almost impossible to import a non-European car to France, and it might actually be impossible to import a car from a brand that was never sold in Europe, like Holden, or from a brand that no longer exists, like Pontiac, due to required paperwork that doesn’t exist or can’t be obtained. As far as I’ve read it’s also illegal to modify your car unless you don’t want to register it and never drive it on the road. There seems to be some leeway for this if the car qualifies as a 30+ year old classic and has what could be referred to as “period correct” modifications which were done to the car during the time when it was new-ish, but you must provide proof of that which satisfies the government. I read that otherwise, even non-oem wheels count as an illegal modification and will not pass the annual inspection. In addition, DIY EV conversions are so incredibly difficult to get certified and able to be registered that it might as well be not permitted. Those are the largest issues I’ve read about and can recall right now.
I know that there is a massive classic car group in France as well as plenty of professional racing like the 24 hours of Le Mans and many other top level circuits. Maybe I should have said “France hates grassroots motorsports”, but it’s also not just about racing. Almost none of the cars I’ve ever owned would be possible to own in France. And the car that I’d like to build next would also be next to impossible to get legally registered.
Importing Yank cars into France must be possible because there’s a specialist garage not too far away from me that’s full of them and they’re all on French plates.
I can qualify for the VL-TS visiteur visa at minimum (I think that’s what it’s called). I may be able to qualify for a talent or self-employment visa, but I’m not sure about that yet, waiting to have an appointment with an immigration specialist to discuss the details there.
It’s also not just about racing, it’s more about the drive.
That’s not hating cars it’s simply the problem of importing vehicles that are not built to EU conformity and France is not alone in enforcing that. I actually have an American car that was imported from California in the early 1990s. It is however a VdC and the rules are different for them. France embraces cars with events like Le Mans and the Retromobile exhibition that is on in Paris at this very moment. At a local level I am involved in everything from a local club that meets once a week, through historic vehicle weekends in towns and villages round and about to the internationally renowned Angoulême Remparts weekend every September and the huge 500 Ferraris Contre Cancer event that takes place at the Val de Vienne circuit every whitsun.
France us a great place to be a car enthusiast.
It is not impossible, but whether you want to do it or not might be a question of how many components you need to replace on your cars, potentially down to windscreen glass, seatbelts and other items that need the EU safety certifications. There are companies that specialise in this but for an individual it can be a daunting process. And depending on what your cars are the environmental tax to register might be high.
There are many car clubs in France. The regulations do not put people off enjoying their cars.
On your example about the wheels - you keep the old ones and swap them back for the ct, which is once every two years not annual. No brainer.
France may not be alone in enforcing EU conformity, but many other EU countries have built exemptions into the laws to make things easier, especially for people permanently immigrating to their country. I imagine in the early 90s it was much easier to import cars.
It seems that most of the events in France are for classic or vintage cars, or pro level races. If there are events in between I’d be extremely interested to learn about them because that’s my area. SCCA/autocross, drift circuits, 24 hours of Lemons (not a typo), Gambler 500, $2000 Challenge are a few of the low budget events where you can enter anything with wheels that will pass a tech inspection. Most of those events you drive your car to the event, in the event and then home from the event. With Frances laws on modifications, I don’t think that’s possible unless your car qualifies as a permitted modified classic, or unless you want to race a completely stock vehicle. But again, if I’m wrong, please point me in the right direction because that’s the type scene that I love.
Good luck with your research. Through my contacts I know people with modern race cars and a local garagiste sponsors a drift car so yet again I suggest you do some research. You seem to be misinformed to say the least.
That is basically what I’ve read everywhere else. There was a very lengthy post on another forum where a guy wrote about his adventures while trying to prepare to import his Lexus from the US to France and he outlined all of the modifications that could be needed as well as the documents that are required. He eventually gave up because it would be cheaper to sell it and buy another Lexus in France.
I know you can swap the wheels back for inspection but from what I read any modifications are printed on the registration and if you’re pulled over and the wheels aren’t on there then you get fined.
Can you point me in the right direction then? I haven’t found any type of event in France where you can drive your mildly modded car to an event, race in the event and then drive it home. Everything seems to be vintage or semi pro where you trailer your race prepped vehicle to the track. Which means your investment level is very high.
There’s actually a race here where you not only drive the same car to the track and on the track, you race one lap on nine different iconic race courses and you’re required to drive the car from one track to the next, on the same set of tires even, no support and no trailer, for a total of 3500 miles. The lap times from each of the nine tracks are added up to see who wins in the class you’re entered in. So your car has to be fast enough to turn good lap times, and reliable enough to make the entire trip without breaking down. That’s the kind of thing I live for.
It seems a little harsh to criticise the French from afar without looking into an American side-mirror.
Trying to get a visa and a work permit in the US of A and soon the new states of Greenland/Canada/Panama Canal can be extremely difficult. Likewise importing a vehicle to the States.
As per previous posts, there are many vintage/american/modified cars imported. To replate (register) a car you’ll need to provide all correct documentation; log book, certificate from manufacturer blah blah can cost several thousand €/$. It can be a logistical nightmare, but not impossibe.
Some car manufacturers won’t sell their cars to America because of the requirement to smash them to destruction to test their worthiness.
Holdens, more popular in Oz and NZ are just re-badged cars: Holden-Vauxhall-Opel, or Holden-Toyota.
I’ve imported a motorbike and a car in the past, it was a pain in the butt, however it is possible.
France, like the US will grant visas to worthy candidates who can offer and contribute positively to the state. You will need to prove that you can support yourself and your mother, including medical expenses etc. and have a competence of the French language.
If you are coming over to sponge off the state and criticise them for all they are worth, then you will be rounded up, shackled and shipped back to the Motherland without a by your leave. France is a great place to live. If you embrace them, they will accept you with open arms and a glass of Pastis.
That’s not at all the case. She will go without me if I choose not to go, she’s already made up her mind that this is what she’s doing. She just asked me to go with her for support and assistance.
