That particular period was extraordinary though! Instead of a steady trickle of applications, they had to process hundreds of thousands of British applications at the same time, alongside all the other, more normal, scenarios. I’ve no idea how long this process takes now since the surge is past but I doubt if it’s as long as your experience @captainendeavour
The gt thing about this forum is the level of support is such that the ‘scary’ factor can/will be mitigated to a significant extent.
An example was the Carte Vitale. For some reason I sweated on this one more than the CdS but was constantly reassured that it would eventually turn up, it was just the way the health service documents dept worked - v.e.r.y. s.l.o.w.l.y. I applied for the C.V. in Dec 2020. It arrived on 30/04/2021
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It’s true that there was only minimal additional staff, if any additional, to cope with the WACdS application process.
However, part of the delay for me was that after my presentation, in person, of all my docs as requested, and them being approved and ‘signed off’, some weeks later the same docs were requested again - with the added spice that failure to provide them would result in the plug being pulled on my application.
Scary, annoying … but eventually successful.
Crikey, that’s quick 
Salut Gary
Hardly ever come on SFN but it being the very beginning of Boxing Day, decided to give myself a treat and “There you were”, so to speak. Go here https://www.francaisauthentique.com/ for free on-line interactive (if you so wish) lessons that concentrate on speaking (without being afraid of making the inevitable errors)… be guided by the valuable French proverb “C’est en forgeant qu’on devient forgeron”/“It’s by smithying that you become a blacksmith”.
I am approx 50km/30miles from you but resident only 90days in every 180 and fully engaged on long-term restoration project but can respond/talk if you wish to.
Bien amicalement/Kind regards
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Hello Gary, It’s good to meet you and welcome to this helpful shared space .
Chin chin
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You are supposed to start registering your car within a month of moving, but I didn’t manage that, because I couldn’t open an account with the right government website. You can, however, find a authorised professional near you from this link. The local Peugeot garage did mine and it’s not a Peugeot. Géolocaliser des professionnels habilités à l’immatriculation. Good luck with this and the other little hurdles they put in your way.
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Thanks for the info and the link I will check it out! Was it expensive to do your car?
Thanks for the nice welcome
Gary
30 euros, and they spotted a mistake on it which I wouldn’t have noticed. I have found it better to use French sources than English people selling their services, but my French is enough to hold a conversation (as long as I know the subject matter).
Vivien
@GaryC don’t forget that the govt fees for changing the registration of your car from UK to French… will depend on the car itself and, also, different departments might well add different taxes.
The cost of getting someone “to do the necessary” for you is usually in the region of 30-50 euro
You might (or might not) need to change lights/whatever… that can be expensive unless one shops around… have you looked into this aspect yet??
Thanks Stella, That’s some great information. I have LED lights and been told that the beams are flat so I might get away with it if not I reckon its going to be expensive. I will have to get the fog light and reversing light renewed as it is on the wrong side, so more expense!
Gary
Our last UK car, an Audi A6 quattro estate had a lever behind the headlights that you just moved to adjust the beam, but obviously generic parts can also save a lot of money.
Don’t forget to get your Crit Air sticker too at Order your Crit’Air sticker on the official website | Official website for the Crit’Air sticker (certificat-air.gouv.fr)
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What car, make/model… if you care to tell us, we might be able to advise re previous experience.
Our Peugeot has flat headlights and we didn’t need to change them… although I seem to think there is a lever/switch behind the lights which the garagiste fiddled with… whatever, it didn’t cost us…
re fog etc moving lights to the “other side”… sometimes it’s just an extra bulb/connection which needs to be made, if the car is built for RHD and LHD (as so many are).
Have a chat with your local garage…
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Welcome to France and SFN! As you’ve already gathered, this is a very friendly and helpful site. All the best with your settling win in Indre.
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Welcome, Gary! I moved here permanently 5 1/2 years ago (Dordogne) and have found SF a mine of useful info and the members always willing to help with anything and everything. Loads of techies too for unraveling French technology of all sorts! Good luck…Perry
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Thanks… I got my crit air sticker before I left the uk just before new year. Now arrived here !
Cheers G
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Wow… brand new!
Chances are the Owners Handbook will tell you about continental driving… but, if not… just go to your nearest Renault garage and ask their advice…