We have a long term visa for France and are looking into purchasing a used car for our 9 month stay.
Does anyone have any suggestions in terms of:
Thank you,
David
The big thing to check is whether you have to have. a French driver's license to do this. That will be essentially impossible to get for so short a trip. If it is a requirement then you need to look at leasing.
That is very useful - thank you!
We have family in France - any concerns about providing them with cash to purchase a car, registering it in their name, and then having us use it for the duration of our stay, with appropriate insurance?
Check out the possibility of leasing a car. As a weird post WWII law France has a very generous lease option for French made cars that is often promoted as cheaper than a long term rental. They usually are brand new, come with insurance and roadside assistance but there are time limits - I think less than 6 months. But if it works maybe you can do two if that's allowed.
Rick covers it here: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/car-leasing
Renault is one of the companies and their FAQ is here: http://www.renaultusa.com/FAQ.asp
And there are information sites: https://europeforvisitors.com/europe/articles/short_term_car_leasing.htm
It's not cheap but then again buying a car isn't either.
Good luck,
=Tod
If one of my relatives asked me to do what you are suggesting, I’d say no and that they need to take full responsibility for their purchase and insurance.
Your relatives might show you how to use the classified ads to buy and sell. You have every legal right to buy and register a car in your name; you don’t need them for that.
However, I’d never take on a legal responsibility such as putting a car in my name and extending my insurance. But it’s your family, so who knows?
Are you a resident of the US or France?
If you are a US resident, you cannot purchase a car in France.
If you are a French resident, you can purchase a car, make sure that the control technique has been completed within the last 3 months, go to your local marie, pay the required taxes, and obtained the required carte griese.
You may drive for up to one year using your US license. You do not need an IDP.
We’ve known several people on long-term visas who purchased and resold cars while on academic sabbaticals. In fact, a family member who spends only four months a year in the French house, keeps two French-licensed and insured cars to use there. Many people who have second homes used only a few months a year keep cars. Their principle residences are in the country where they stay 183+ days a year. I believe dcarta needs an address to get the visa, so that should count as a residence.
You might check out AutoEurope in Maine for a car lease.
Hello from Wisconsin,
At one time leasing a car from a car manufacturer/dealer was an inexpensive way to go. It worked like this. You bought the car and agreed to sell it back at an agreed upon later date at an agreed upon price. The difference between your purchase price and what you were contractually going to get upon return was your rental price.
Why did they do this? A new, never been owned car is highly taxed when sold to a French person. If on the other hand it can be sold to a non-French person the tax is avoided. When it is returned it is now a used car and can be resold to the French without the new car tax.
While you own the car all insurance, oil changes, maintenance, etc is covered by the seller. Puegeot is the company a friend of mine used summer after summer.
Laws may have changed. But that was the deal and the reasoning behind it.
Years ago I had an Irish tweed jacket made for me at MaGees in Donegal. The guy said, "Why don't you try it out down at the pub?" I had a pint. When I returned he claimed the coat was used, and I would now avoid the VAT. Similar game.
wayne iNWI
it can be sold to a non-French person the tax is avoided.
If dcarta is staying in France on a long term visa, for tax purposes she/he is a French person and likely ineligible for a tax free buyback program.
There is a great Facebook page called "Americans in France" for, well, Americans who live in France. This topic comes up frequently with people in France on shorter stay visas. Try searching that page or posting the question. You'll get lots of information from those who have done exactly what you hope to do.
Insurance (we have USAA which has international policy - good enough?)
Ask USAA.
