WW Plates in France: Complete Guide for Foreign Vehicles (2026)
Drive your foreign vehicle legally in France
Bought a car abroad or moving to France with your vehicle? Here is what a WW temporary registration is, when you need one, which documents to prepare and how to get it online, without going to a prefecture.
What is a WW registration?
The WW is a temporary French registration for a vehicle coming from abroad. It lets you drive legally in France while your definitive French registration certificate (the "carte grise") is being processed.
Your vehicle receives a temporary number in the format WW-123-AB and a temporary registration certificate. The WW is valid for 4 months.
Do you need a WW?
- You bought a vehicle in another EU country (Germany, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy...) and want to register it in France.
- You imported a vehicle from outside the EU (Switzerland, the UK, the USA, Japan...).
- You now live in France and your foreign or transit plates are about to expire.
Documents to prepare
- Foreign registration certificate of the vehicle
- Proof of purchase (invoice or bill of sale)
- Certificate of conformity (COC)
- Quitus fiscal (tax clearance) for a vehicle bought in the EU, or customs certificate 846A for a vehicle from outside the EU
- Valid roadworthiness test (contrôle technique) if the vehicle is more than 4 years old
- ID document and driving licence
- Proof of address in France less than 6 months old
How to get your WW online with us
- Order online. Choose the WW certificate alone or the pack with WW plates delivered. Secure payment, Klarna available.
- Send your documents through the secure form that opens right after payment, or by email or WhatsApp, as you prefer.
- We file your application in the official ANTS system as an authorised professional. Processing usually takes 24 to 48 working hours once your file is complete.
- You drive legally. You receive your WW certificate by email and, with the pack, your WW plates are delivered to your home.
Which service do you need?
After the WW: the definitive registration
The WW is valid for 4 months. During this time, the definitive French registration certificate must be applied for, so your vehicle gets its permanent French number. We can handle this step too.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a WW temporary registration valid?
A WW temporary registration is valid for 4 months. It is used to drive legally in France while the definitive French registration certificate is processed.
How fast can I get a WW?
Once your file is complete, processing usually takes 24 to 48 working hours. You receive the WW certificate by email.
Do I need to go to a prefecture?
No. Vehicle registration in France is done online through the ANTS system. As an authorised professional, we handle the application for you.
Do I need an address in France?
Yes. A proof of address in France less than 6 months old is required, because the vehicle will be registered in France.
I want to take a French car abroad. Is that a WW too?
For a vehicle leaving France permanently, the right procedure is the WW export certificate (CPI WW export).
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, Klarna is available at checkout, in addition to card and PayPal.
Ready to drive legally in France?
Order online in a few minutes, or write to us on WhatsApp if you have a question.
Prêt à faire votre démarche ?
Simple comme bonjour. Calculez votre tarif et commandez en quelques minutes.