What documents are required to declare the sale of a car or motorcycle?

To comply with the legal procedure for declaring the sale of a car or motorcycle, you must provide certain documents. Among these, the transfer certificate, the vehicle registration document (carte grise), and the lien release certificate are mandatory.

In addition to complying with the conditions for selling a vehicle or motorcycle, the owner is obligated to declare the sale of their car. To do so, certain documents are necessary to complete the related administrative procedures. What documents are required? Where should they be sent? We’ve compiled a list of these.

The Vehicle Transfer Certificate

The transfer certificate is one of the main documents you are required to present when declaring the sale of your car.

The Purpose of the Vehicle Transfer CertificateThe transfer certificate is a

contract attesting to the transfer of ownership of a vehicle to a third party. This administrative document is required whenever there is a change of ownership of a car or motorcycle. This certificate must be completed by the previous owner, i.e., the seller.

They must then give a copy to the buyer no later than 15 days after the sale is finalized. Note that this period begins upon receipt of the vehicle’s price. Whether it’s a new or used car, the seller must declare the transfer of ownership.

The location for this declaration varies depending on the applicable regulations for registering the car or motorcycle. This process is now carried out online at

Declaration-Cession.fr since the new system came into effect on April 15, 2009.

Vehicle transfer declaration

The format of the transfer certificate

Since September 8, 2017,

the transfer certificate has replaced the old Cerfa form 13754*03.

It consists of three sections, each containing information about the seller and the buyer.This document must contain information about the motorcycle or car. Generally, its identification number, registration number, date of first registration, power, make, and intended use are included.

Certain information about the seller must also be provided. As the seller, your first and last name must appear on the transfer certificate. The date and time of the sales agreement must also be stated. This document must also include information about the buyer’s identity.

Other documents required for selling a vehicle

In addition to the transfer certificate, the owner is required to present the vehicle registration document (carte grise), the vehicle history report (certificat de situation administrative), and the vehicle inspection report. The vehicle registration documentWhether you are selling a car or a motorcycle,

you must provide the buyer with the vehicle registration document (carte grise).

This document serves as the vehicle’s identity card and therefore allows for its identification. It must be crossed out during the transfer of ownership. It must also include the words “transferred on” or “sold on” followed by the date and time of the sale, as well as your signature. Regarding the new vehicle registration certificate models, they come with a detachable section that you must complete. This document must include certain information about the buyer, notably their name and address. This information must be written on the back. It is the buyer’s responsibility to detach this section.

The vehicle inspection report

To declare the sale of your vehicle, you must provide the vehicle inspection report issued by an approved inspector. This document proves that the vehicle has passed its inspection, whether it was a periodic inspection, a supplementary inspection, or a re-inspection. The vehicle inspection report contains information on the date the inspection was carried out.

It must also state the inspector’s identity and their approval number. The vehicle’s characteristics, mileage, and identification are recorded in this document.

If the car or motorcycle has any defects, these must be indicated in the report.

A vehicle lien certificateAmong the administrative documents required for the sale of a vehicle, and particularly a used vehicle,

you must present a lien certificate.

This certificate contains all the information on the administrative status of the car or motorcycle. The Ministry of the Interior issues it free of charge.