Can I take my car to France from Canada?

Question

I have a Suburu Forester - can I take it to France with me - and what regulations would I have to comply with?

Answer 1

I assume that you are going to live in France. Bringing a car is a hassle, I'd better warn you.

First you have to bring it, which is quite expensive

You have custom duties to pay. Last time I looked a year ago it was 10% of the price of the car + transport.

Then you have to pay the French VAT 19.6% of price of car + transport + custom duties.

You have to get it registered in France and as it is a foreign car you have first to go through a very thorough check up by a government agency called Les Mines, you will then have to make the changes required, usually it is the lights. Only then will your car have its papers (carte grise) that will allow you to drive it. As a French resident you will have to change the registry plates and get a French number.

I think you have companies specialising in all that. You could try to contact them.

Petrol is expensive in France (twice the price per gallon as the US) and with a SUV you are going to suffer. As said above, better sell it and buy a smaller and less thirsty car in France.

Answer 2

Contrary to what your first answer suggests, people in France drive on the right side of the road (with the steering wheel located on the left-hand side of the car) just like in Canada. However, the cost of shipping a car across an ocean, and the subsequent fees once the car arrives, are such that you probably won't want to bother, unless you've got money to burn. If you're vacationing in France, I suggest simply renting a car. If you're moving to France, I suggest selling your Subaru Forester and getting a new car in France. However, if you're really determined, you might check out some of these Google links: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=s**+... Otherwise, the Forester is available in France if you're interested: http://www.subaru.fr/08forester.html

Answer 3

    

   Depends if the car is loaded with your mother in law or not -

Answer 4

It would be kinda hard to get your car to switch from being a left stearing wheel location to a right... At least i think they have theirs on the right and not the left