The rules for buying and registering a trailer in France

The trailer may need to be registered separately from your main vehicle depending on its weight

The trailers are a common sight on French roads

The French trailer – a useful and popular purchase for many homes and often essential for moving firewood, garden waste or building materials.

A quick scan through adverts on LeBonCoin will reveal that secondhand trailers hold their value well, with prices only slightly cheaper than buying brand new.

A lighter, less expensive trailer might be more than enough for occasional use and shops’ ‘own brands’ offer good value.

Should you need a real workhorse, it could be worth investing in a more robust, hot-dip galvanised trailer that will last many years. Brands such as Franc and Lider are worth investigating here.

Prices start around €500 for a small, simple trailer and €1,200 for a larger, twin-axle model.

Household trailers in France fall into three main categories according to their PTAC (poids total autorisé en charge = maximum allowable weight including load). These are up to 500kg, up to 750kg and over 750kg.

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Specific requirements for each

For trailers under 500kg PTAC, you just need to attach a number plate matching the towing vehicle’s. A separate carte grise (French vehicle registration document) is not required. Homemade trailers under 500kg are included here too, however, they must first be certified via DREAL before they can be used on the road.

Moving up to a 750kg PTAC trailer will require a separate carte grise. The trailer will have its own registration number and will need its own number plate showing this.

For both these first two categories, a standard category B driving licence is all you need and most French car insurers will cover you for towing them as standard – though it is always best to check your car policy details first.

Larger trailers over 750kg PTAC will need to be registered for their own carte grise and number plate and, in addition, will need a separate insurance policy.

A BE driving licence category may be necessary depending on the size of the towing vehicle and trailer load.

Whichever size you choose, trailers must always have a manufacturer’s plate affixed to the chassis showing the ID number and details.

If your trailer size requires a carte grise then you have one month after purchase in which to complete the registration.

When buying through a dealer, they will be able to complete this on the day for you – expect to pay €50 to €75, plus extra to make up your new number plate.

You will need to take proof of identity with you (such as a passport or driving licence) as well as proof of your home address less than six months old (for example an EDF bill or avis d’impôt).

They will give you a Certificat Provisoire d’Immatriculation which you need to keep in the car until your carte grise arrives in the post.

As the actual trailer registration fee is currently €13,76, a cheaper option is to complete the process yourself via the ANTS website. You will need to be registered for France Connect and use this to log in. English can be selected from the top right of the screen though this will only translate some of the pages.

Read more: What is the process for ordering a replacement vehicle registration in France?

Take care when registering

Carefully work through the steps for registering a vehicle in France for the first time. Please note, that it is vital that the dealer gives you a correctly completed and stamped Cerfa N° 13749*05 form if it is a brand new trailer, plus the certificate of conformity and sales receipt.

If you are buying a second-hand private trailer with a carte grise, the process is the same as for buying any used vehicle in France and you will need to register the change of ownership.

Many garages are authorised to complete the carte grise change for you costing around €40 or, again, you can do this yourself via ANTS.

In all cases, the seller must first officially register the sale via ANTS and then give you the resulting code de cession (transfer code) plus a copy of the completed Cerfa N° 15776*02 form and their crossed-out carte grise.

Remember to print out the Certificat Provisoire d’Immatriculation to keep with you until the new document arrives.

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French trailer categories

Up to 500kg PTAC

  • No carte grise required
  • Number plate must match the towing vehicle
  • Can tow with Category B licence
  • DREAL certification needed if homemade

Up to 750kg PTAC

  • Needs its own carte grise
  • Number plate must show trailer registration number
  • Can tow with Category B licence

Over 750kg PTAC

  • Needs its own carte grise and insurance policy
  • Number plate must show trailer registration number
  • May need a Category BE licence to tow