What is the Provisional Certificate of Registration (CPI)?

Verified 01 January 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The Provisional Certificate of Registration (CPI) is a provisional document issued by theANTS: titleContent allowing to circulate in France while waiting to receive the definitive certificate of registration (previously called ₪).

One WW CPI can be issued if your vehicle was previously registered abroad or if it is intended for export.

IPC

If you apply for registration online, the ANTS online service will provide you with a Provisional Certificate of Registration (CPI). You must download and print it.

If you use a qualified professional, he will deliver the CPI to you in hard copy immediately.

The vehicle registration number shown on the CPI is the final vehicle number. It authorizes the immediate installation of license plates.

The CPI allows you to travel in France only for 1 month pending receipt of the final certificate of registration (formerly known as ₪).

It is possible to sell or donate your vehicle with the CPI. The seller must then give the buyer, in addition to the transfer certificate, the CPI on which it indicates the mention Sold on (day/month/year) or Assigned on (day/month/year), accompanied by its signature.

But watch out, the buyer will be able to travel with the CPI only provisionally for a period of 1 month from the date of the transfer of the vehicle. The buyer will not be able to re-register this vehicle with the CPI: he will have to wait for the final registration certificate given by the seller to apply for a new registration.

FYI  

For a short-term rental vehicle, the duration of the CPI is extended to 8 months. For a diplomatic registration, its duration is 3 months.

WW CPI

An ICC WW is issued to allow the circulation of certain vehicles in France and abroad. However, the validity of an IPC WW French remains subject to the agreement of the State in which you will circulate.

It shall be issued in particular in the following cases:

  • Vehicles purchased new or used abroad whose file is being examined or whose documents to be attached are not yet available:
    • Proof of conformity
    • Proof of inspection or roadworthiness test
    • Tax document
  • New or used vehicles for export
  • New vehicles sold complete or incomplete for camber purposes.

One Standard WW CPI is valid for 4 months.

One CPI WW of a new vehicle sold incomplete for camber or self-propelled agricultural machine is valid for 6 months.

Please note

The registration number is reproduced on each license plate in black on a pink background. For WW registrations, the plate shall include the date of expiry of the provisional certificate of registration WW

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    By phone

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