Individuals who are resident in Monaco and professionals who are exercising an activity domiciled in Monaco, can register a used vehicle in the Principality.
Understanding the process
The following can register and maintain registration of a used vehicle in the Principality:
- Individuals who are resident in Monaco and can prove their residency by showing either a national ID card or a national passport with proof of address (gas or electricity bill from the SMEG, rental agreement or the last rent receipt), or a valid residence permit
- For professional use or when assigning a vehicle for professional use by staff, individuals or legal entities authorised to exercise and who are in practice exercising a professional, commercial or industrial activity
- Legal entities that offer hire purchase (LOA) contract financing or long-term rental (LDD) contracts and that are headquartered in Monaco or who are headquartered in France with an additional office in Monaco. People who may dispose of a vehicle as a lessee under a long-term rental or hire purchase contract must be able to prove that they reside, carry out a profession or have a commercial or industrial business in the Principality of Monaco. They must also transmit the rental contract to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office
- Legal entities that provide a vehicle under a short-term rental contract for less than one year
Non-trading property companies and non-trading companies whose consultancy or management activities are mainly carried out for the benefit of their founders or members and whose founders or members are not domiciled in the Principality are excluded from registration under the above provisions.
All vehicle registrations are recorded in a registration register. A certificate of registration and two registration plates to be positioned at the front and rear of the vehicle are issued. Registration plates must be fixed firmly to the vehicle in the locations designated for that purpose.
A single rear registration plate is issued for trailers, semi-trailer, quadricycles, motorcycles, mopeds, and similar vehicles. However, a front plate can be issued on request for quadricycles.
This certificate and plates indicate the number assigned to the vehicle as well as the validity period of the registration, which will be until 31 December of the current year, or 31 December of the following year if the vehicle is registered between 1 October and 31 December.
Registration can be renewed for another year during the annual renewal period (Stickers). See the following procedure for details: How to renew your annual car sticker. Should you fail to renew your annual car sticker, the vehicle will be deregistered in accordance with the conditions established by ministerial decree. The vehicle is no longer authorised to drive on the roads.
In addition, vehicles must undergo a periodic technical inspection, details of which are set out in: Technical inspection of vehicules
In the event that the residence permit is not renewed, the conditions for maintaining registration in the Principality are no longer met and the vehicle will need to be removed from the number plate database according to the procedures set out in the factsheet: How to apply for a certificate for registration abroad. Failure to follow these procedures will result in the vehicle being removed from the number plate database and no longer authorised to drive on the roads.
The same applies to companies, associations or foundations which have ceased to operate.
Any vehicle that is more than 30 years old can be registered as a vintage car at the request of the owner provided certain conditions are met.
The vehicle must satisfy all of the following conditions:
- The vehicle must have been manufactured or registered for the first time at least 30 years ago
- It must be a model that is no longer in production
- It must still be in its original state with no material modifications to the technical characteristics of its main components
In order to register a vehicle in the vintage series, you will need to provide one of the following three documents:
- A certificate from the Fédération Française des véhicules d’époque (FFVE, French Classic Car Federation) to obtain a “Vintage Vehicle” registration certificate
- OR a certificate from the manufacturer, to obtain a registration certificate bearing the indication "Vintage Vehicle"
- OR a French registration certificate bearing the indication "Vintage Vehicle"
Vehicles without a European certificate of conformity, but which do have one of the above three documents, must be registered in the "vintage series".
These vehicles may only be registered by private individuals, with the exception of companies providing transport services with driver.
Any modification made after the vehicle’s registration in the vintage series, and which affects its technical characteristics, must be made known to the Driver And Vehicle Licensing Office. The vehicle will then be re-registered in the "normal series", provided the owner can produce a certificate of conformity from a professional accredited by the manufacturer.
Private cars registered as "vintage cars" (M1) are required to undergo a technical inspection at least once every 72 months. The Vehicle Testing Centre may issue a technical inspection report for this length of time only if the vehicle is already registered as a "vintage car".
There is a fee associated with this procedure in accordance with the current applicable rates.
The application to register must be sent to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office using the appropriate forms, duly completed and signed on the original by the owner of the vehicle.
The forms may be:
- Download online:
- Collected from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office
- The form (see step 1 Formulating the request)
- For Monegasque nationals:
- A copy of a valid Monaco national identity card
- Or a copy of a national passport with proof of address (gas or electricity bill from the SMEG, rental agreement or the last rent receipt), dated of less than 3 months
- For residents: a copy of a valid residence permit
- For legal entities:
- A copy of the articles of association/ministerial authorisation to operate a business in the Principality + certificate of listing in the NIS (statistical identification number) register dated of less than 3 months
- Or a copy of an extract from the Trade and Industry Directory dated of less than 3 months
- A copy of the identity document of the person legally responsible who signed the form (if a third party is appointed as a signing authority, this document must be accompanied by a certificate attesting to such, along with a copy of the signatory's proof of identity)
- In the case of a vehicle sold by an individual (private individual) or an entity that is not VAT-registered, a certificate of sale or transfer signed on the original, in triplicate (for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office, the vendor and the purchaser), together with a proof of identity of the signatory:
- In the case of a vehicle sold by a legal entity or individual business (garage or company), or a VAT-registered entity, a copy of an invoice which includes:
- A unique invoice number based on a continuous chronological sequence
- The seller’s identity (surname, postal address, postal code and city, Trade and Industry Directory or SIRET number)
- The purchaser’s identity applying for registration (surname and first name or registered name, postal address in the Principality of Monaco, postal code and city)
- A description of the asset sold (must include vehicle serial number and odometer reading where possible)
- Amount
- If the invoice is issued in the name of more than one person, a written waiver from the co-owners, with a copy of their identity document, should be supplied on the understanding that vehicles can only be registered under one name
- In the case of a vehicle purchased at public auction, a deed of sale specifying "sold with a registration certificate" or "sold without a registration certificate"
- The previous original registration certificate
- The previous original registration plates
- A copy of the report of a technical inspection passed no more than six months ago in Monaco for cars with a GVWR of less than or equal to 3,5 tonnes and which are more than 4 years old, and for vehicles with a GVWR of more than 3,5 tonnes and which are more than 1 year old
- If the vehicle has been modified, one of the following documents depending on the circumstances:
- The original bodywork certificate (Annex VII) issued by a bodywork specialist approved by the manufacturer and a certificate of conformity issued by UTAC
- The original report of the initial conformity check of a vehicle (annexe III) issued by a bodywork specialist approved by the manufacturer and a certificate of conformity issued by UTAC
- The copy of the report of individual or single vehicle type approval issued by the Regional Directorate for Environment, Urban Planning and Housing of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region (DREAL PACA), if the procedures for making an appointment for individual or single vehicle type approval with the Regional Directorate for Environment, Urban Planning and Housing of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region (DREAL PACA) can be found on the procedure: "How to request individual or single vehicle type approval"
- For disabled drivers requiring vehicle adaptations: a copy of their driving licence, invoices for the vehicle adaptations stating the specific codes, a copy of the installer's approval for the vehicle adaptations and an approved technical inspection report issued in Monaco within the last six months
- If the vehicle is registered in the vintage series and was not previously registered in France, one of the following documents:
- A certificate from the Fédération Française des véhicules d’époque (FFVE, French Classic Car Federation) to obtain a "Vintage Vehicle" registration certificate
- A certificate from the manufacturer, to obtain a registration certificate bearing the indication "Vintage Vehicle"
- If the documents are written in a foreign language using non-Latin characters, a translation into French, by a sworn translator at the Monaco Court of Appeal or a French Court of Appeal. The list of sworn translators in the Principality of Monaco is available from the Monaco Court of Appeal, while the list of sworn translators at the French Court of Appeal can be found on the following website: www.directory-sworn-translator.com. Where necessary, translations can be made in the country issuing the documents to be translated. In this case, they must be legalised or apostilled. If the country issuing the documents to be translated is a signatory to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, the apostille for the sworn translation can be requested directly from the Court of Appeal where the translator is registered. If the issuing country is not a signatory to the Hague Convention, diplomatic or consular legalisation of the translation will be required. Where required, a translation may also be requested for any document written in a foreign language
- In the case of procedures carried out by a third party, a mandate, signed by the principal and accompanied by supporting documents showing proof of these persons' identities. It should specify that the mandate allows the representative to submit the progress of the principal’s application(s), but not to sign documents instead of the principal
- The payment, to be made by cash, by cheque issued by an establishment operating in Monaco or France, made out to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office and Visa or Mastercard bank cards only, in accordance with the current fee schedule
- The form (see step 1 Formulating the request)
- For Monegasque nationals:
- A copy of a valid Monaco national identity card
- Or a copy of a national passport with proof of address (gas or electricity bill from the SMEG, rental agreement or the last rent receipt), dated of less than 3 months
- For residents: a copy of a valid residence permit
- For legal entities:
- A copy of the articles of association/ministerial authorisation to operate a business in the Principality + certificate of listing in the NIS (statistical identification number) register dated of less than 3 months
- Or a copy of an extract from the Trade and Industry Directory dated of less than 3 months
- A copy of the identity document of the person legally responsible who signed the form (if a third party is appointed as a signing authority, this document must be accompanied by a certificate attesting to such, along with a copy of the signatory's proof of identity)
- In the case of a vehicle sold by an individual (private individual) or an entity that is not VAT-registered, a certificate of sale or transfer signed on the original, in triplicate (for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office, the vendor and the purchaser), together with a proof of identity of the signatory:
- In the case of a vehicle sold by a legal entity or individual business (garage or company), or a VAT-registered entity, a copy of an invoice which includes:
- A unique invoice number based on a continuous chronological sequence
- The seller’s identity (surname, postal address in the Principality of Monaco, postal code and city, Trade and Industry Directory or SIRET number)
- The purchaser’s identity applying for registration (surname and first name or registered name, postal address, postal code and city)
- A description of the asset sold (must include vehicle serial number and odometer reading where possible)
- Amount
- If the invoice is issued in the name of more than one person, a written waiver from the co-owners, with a copy of their identity document, should be supplied on the understanding that vehicles can only be registered under one name
- The previous original registration certificate (carte grise) for the vehicle, which must be legible and in good condition, and on which the holder has written, clearly and indelibly, the words "sold on (date of sale)"
- In the case of vehicles from France sold by a French professional car dealer:
- A copy of the declaration of purchase receipt, if the registration certificate (carte grise) is not in the name of the professional car dealer
- A copy of the declaration showing that the vehicle is no longer used for demonstration purposes, in the case of "demonstration vehicles"
- A copy of a no-pledge certificate dated within the last 15 days, issued by the relevant authorities
- A copy of the report of a technical inspection passed no more than six months ago in Monaco for cars with a GVWR of less than or equal to 3,5 tonnes and which are more than 4 years old, and for vehicles with a GVWR of more than 3,5 tonnes and which are more than 1 year old
- In the case of a vehicle purchased at public auction, a deed of sale specifying "sold with a registration certificate" or "sold without a registration certificate", with the proviso that if the old registration certificate cannot be provided, the report of individual or single vehicle type approval issued by the Regional Directorate for Environment, Urban Planning and Housing of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region (DREAL PACA) must be provided
- If the vehicle has been modified, one of the following documents depending on the circumstances:
- The original bodywork certificate (Annex VII) issued by a bodywork specialist approved by the manufacturer and a certificate of conformity issued by UTAC
- The original report of the initial conformity check of a vehicle (annexe III) issued by a bodywork specialist approved by the manufacturer and a certificate of conformity issued by UTAC
- The copy of the report of individual or single vehicle type approval issued by the Regional Directorate for Environment, Urban Planning and Housing of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region (DREAL PACA), if the procedures for making an appointment for individual or single vehicle type approval with the Regional Directorate for Environment, Urban Planning and Housing of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region (DREAL PACA) can be found on the procedure: "How to request individual or single vehicle type approval"
- For disabled drivers requiring vehicle adaptations: a copy of their driving licence, invoices for the vehicle adaptations stating the specific codes, a copy of the installer's approval for the vehicle adaptations and an approved technical inspection report issued in Monaco within the last six months
- If the vehicle is registered in the vintage series and was not previously registered in France, one of the following documents:
- A certificate from the Fédération Française des véhicules d’époque (FFVE, French Classic Car Federation) to obtain a "Vintage Vehicle" registration certificate
- A certificate from the manufacturer, to obtain a registration certificate bearing the indication "Vintage Vehicle"
- If the documents are written in a foreign language using non-Latin characters, a translation into French, by a sworn translator at the Monaco Court of Appeal or a French Court of Appeal. The list of sworn translators in the Principality of Monaco is available from the Monaco Court of Appeal, while the list of sworn translators at the French Court of Appeal can be found on the following website: www.directory-sworn-translator.com. Where necessary, translations can be made in the country issuing the documents to be translated. In this case, they must be legalised or apostilled. If the country issuing the documents to be translated is a signatory to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, the apostille for the sworn translation can be requested directly from the Court of Appeal where the translator is registered. If the issuing country is not a signatory to the Hague Convention, diplomatic or consular legalisation of the translation will be required. Where required, a translation may also be requested for any document written in a foreign language
- In the case of procedures carried out by a third party, a mandate, signed by the principal and accompanied by supporting documents showing proof of these persons' identities. It should specify that the mandate allows the representative to submit the progress of the principal’s application(s), but not to sign documents instead of the principal
- The payment, to be made by cash, by cheque issued by an establishment operating in Monaco or France, made out to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office and Visa or Mastercard bank cards only, in accordance with the current fee schedule
If you are moving to Monaco from abroad and the vehicle is already registered in your name, you do not need to provide a bill of sale or invoice.
- The form (see step 1 Formulating the request)
- For Monegasque nationals:
- A copy of a valid Monaco national identity card
- Or a copy of a national passport with proof of address (gas or electricity bill from the SMEG, rental agreement or the last rent receipt), dated of less than 3 months
- For residents: a copy of a valid residence permit
- For legal entities:
- A copy of the articles of association/ministerial authorisation to operate a business in the Principality + certificate of listing in the NIS (statistical identification number) register dated of less than 3 months
- Or a copy of an extract from the Trade and Industry Directory dated of less than 3 months
- A copy of the identity document of the person legally responsible who signed the form (if a third party is appointed as a signing authority, this document must be accompanied by a certificate attesting to such, along with a copy of the signatory's proof of identity)
- In the case of a vehicle sold by an individual (private individual) or an entity that is not VAT-registered, a certificate of sale or transfer signed on the original, in triplicate (for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office, the vendor and the purchaser), together with a proof of identity of the signatory:
- In the case of a vehicle sold by a legal entity or individual business (garage or company), or a VAT-registered entity, a copy of an invoice which includes:
- A unique invoice number based on a continuous chronological sequence
- The seller’s identity (surname, postal address, postal code and city, Trade and Industry Directory or SIRET number)
- The purchaser’s identity applying for registration (surname and first name or registered name, postal address in the Principality of Monaco, postal code and city)
- A description of the asset sold (must include vehicle serial number and odometer reading where possible)
- Amount
- If the invoice is issued in the name of more than one person, a written waiver from the co-owners, with a copy of their identity document, should be supplied on the understanding that vehicles can only be registered under one name
- The previous original registration certificate issued by the relevant authorities in the country of origin or an equivalent original official document if held by the authorities in the country of origin, and, depending on the country, the original copy of the certificate of ownership and/or the original copy of the de-registration certificate issued by the relevant authorities in the country of origin
- A copy of the Full European certificate of conformity issued by the manufacturer
- Or the identification certificate for an imported used vehicle conforming to a recognised type in the EU /original identification certificate for an imported vehicle conforming to a recognised type in France issued by the manufacturer
- Or a copy of the Fédération Française des véhicules d’époque (French Vintage Car Federation) certificate for vehicles that are more than 30 years old
- Or a copy of the report of individual or single vehicle type approval issued by the Regional Directorate for Environment, Urban Planning and Housing of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region (DREAL)
- In the case of a vehicle purchased at public auction, a deed of sale specifying "sold with a registration certificate" or "sold without a registration certificate", with the proviso that if the old registration certificate cannot be provided, the report of individual or single vehicle type approval issued by the Regional Directorate for Environment, Urban Planning and Housing of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region (DREAL PACA) must be provided
- If the vehicle has been modified, one of the following documents depending on the circumstances:
- The original bodywork certificate (Annex VII) issued by a bodywork specialist approved by the manufacturer and a certificate of conformity issued by UTAC
- The original report of the initial conformity check of a vehicle (annexe III) issued by a bodywork specialist approved by the manufacturer and a certificate of conformity issued by UTAC
- The copy of the report of individual or single vehicle type approval issued by the Regional Directorate for Environment, Urban Planning and Housing of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region (DREAL PACA), if the procedures for making an appointment for individual or single vehicle type approval with the Regional Directorate for Environment, Urban Planning and Housing of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region (DREAL PACA) can be found on the procedure: "How to request individual or single vehicle type approval"
- For disabled drivers requiring vehicle adaptations: a copy of their driving licence, invoices for the vehicle adaptations stating the specific codes, a copy of the installer's approval for the vehicle adaptations and an approved technical inspection report issued in Monaco within the last six months
- If the vehicle is registered in the vintage series and was not previously registered in France, one of the following documents:
- A certificate from the Fédération Française des véhicules d’époque (FFVE, French Classic Car Federation) to obtain a “Vintage Vehicle” registration certificate
- A certificate from the manufacturer, to obtain a registration certificate bearing the indication "Vintage Vehicle"
- A copy of the report of a technical inspection passed no more than six months ago in Monaco for cars with a GVWR of less than or equal to 3,5 tonnes and which are more than 4 years old, and for vehicles with a GVWR of more than 3,5 tonnes and which are more than 1 year old
- For vehicles from the European Community (EC), the original certificate of purchase/VAT exemption issued by the Department of Tax Services in Monaco
- For vehicles from outside the EC, the original receipt showing payment of customs duties (846A form) issued by the French Customs Authority
- If the documents are written in a foreign language using non-Latin characters, a translation into French, by a sworn translator at the Monaco Court of Appeal or a French Court of Appeal. The list of sworn translators in the Principality of Monaco is available from the Monaco Court of Appeal, while the list of sworn translators at the French Court of Appeal can be found on the following website: www.directory-sworn-translator.com. Where necessary, translations can be made in the country issuing the documents to be translated. In this case, they must be legalised or apostilled. If the country issuing the documents to be translated is a signatory to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, the apostille for the sworn translation can be requested directly from the Court of Appeal where the translator is registered. If the issuing country is not a signatory to the Hague Convention, diplomatic or consular legalisation of the translation will be required. Where required, a translation may also be requested for any document written in a foreign language
- In the case of procedures carried out by a third party, a mandate, signed by the principal and accompanied by supporting documents showing proof of these persons' identities. It should specify that the mandate allows the representative to submit the progress of the principal’s application(s), but not to sign documents instead of the principal
- The payment, to be made by cash, by cheque issued by an establishment operating in Monaco or France, made out to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office and Visa or Mastercard bank cards only, in accordance with the current fee schedule
If you are moving to Monaco from abroad and the vehicle is already registered in your name, you do not need to provide a bill of sale or invoice.
To submit your application, you must first make an appointment with an agent of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office.
You can request an appointment in one of the following three ways:
- Online using the online service made available for this purpose
- By email to circulation@gouv.mc
- By telephone on (+377) 98 98 80 14
The staff of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office will be waiting for you at the time of the appointment; you should bring with you the documents listed in steps 1 and 2.
You can find all the information about making an appointment with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office by following this link
The certificate and registration plates or set of registration plates, if applicable, are available within 72 hours by appointment arranged by the customer manager at the end of the interview and on presentation of the payment receipt (invoice) and proof of identity.
You can request an appointment in one of the following three ways:
- Online using the online service made available for this purpose
- By email to circulation@gouv.mc
- By telephone on (+377) 98 98 80 14
You can find all the information about making an appointment with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office by following this link.
See also
See also
Legal References
Legal References
Administrative contact
5 Promenade Honoré II
98000 MONACO
Opening hours :
from 9.30am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday - Visits by appointment only
Phone :
More information :
Hall B, 6th floor
Only assistance dogs are allowed
Administrative contact
5 Promenade Honoré II
98000 MONACO
Opening hours :
from 9.30am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday - Visits by appointment only
Phone :
More information :
Hall B, 6th floor
Only assistance dogs are allowed