What to do in case of theft of a vehicle?

Verified 14 September 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

The theft of a vehicle (car, motorcycle, bicycle)...) must be reported to the police or gendarmerie as soon as possible. You must also report the theft to your insurer within the time period specified in your policy. We explain the steps to take.

Step-by-step approach

If the theft is ongoing or has just been committed, you must call the 17.

The police or gendarmerie can send officers to intervene.

In case of theft of the vehicle (car, motorcycle, bicycle, trailer...) in your garage, don't touch anything before the arrival of the police or gendarmerie who can make scientific findings (fingerprints...).)

Please note

If you can't find your vehicle, before declaring the theft, make sure it hasn't been released impound.

If your vehicle has been stolen, you must promptly lodge a complaint. Your criminal liability and civil may be involved until the filing of a complaint if offenses are committed with your vehicle (cyclist hit, robbery of a business...).)

If the certificate of registration has been stolen at the same time as the vehicle, you must report it in a theft report.

For the theft of insurance documents you must report the vehicle to the police or gendarmerie to obtain a receipt. This document allows you to drive legally if your vehicle is found before the issuance of a duplicate by your insurer.

Your driver's license was stolen at the same time as your vehicle, you must file a complaint. A receipt is given to allow you to drive in France. It is valid 2 months.

If your vehicle has an anti-theft GPS tracker, you can indicate it when reporting to the police or gendarmerie.

Only the owner of the vehicle can file a complaint, because he is the victim of the theft.

If you have lent your vehicle to a friend and he gets stolen, that friend can report it to the police or gendarmerie. But he can't file a complaint for you.

If someone in your family (parent, child or non-separated spouse) borrows your vehicle without your consent, you cannot file a complaint against them. Theft does not exist between these close relatives, because the rules of thefamily immunity shall apply.

On site

You have to surrender in a police station or to the gendarme of your choice.

Who shall I contact

FYI  

Police or gendarmerie services are obliged to register your complaint if you are a victim of an offense.

The officers and judicial police officers must receive your complaint even if the facts do not fall within their geographical area of jurisdiction.

At the end of your hearing by the police or gendarmerie, you receive a receipt and a copy of your complaint if you request it.

Online

You don't know the perpetrator

You can wear online complaint :

Online Complaint

Depending on the elements declared, you can be contacted by a policeman or a gendarme to complete your declaration in the police station or gendarmerie.

Your report is processed by an officer who determines if it meets the requirements for a complaint report.

If your declaration is accepted, you are informed that a digital copy of the notice of complaint is posted online.

Otherwise, you will receive an email with the reason for rejecting your declaration.

You know the perpetrator

You cannot use the complaint online. You must file a complaint on site or by mail.

By post

You can file a complaint with the public prosecutor.

To do this, you need to send a letter to court of the place of the offense or of the domicile of the offender.

Your mail should include the following:

  • Your marital status and full contact details (address and telephone number)
  • Detailed account of the facts, date and place of the offense
  • Name of the alleged perpetrator if you know him (otherwise, the complaint will be filed against X)
  • Name and address of any witnesses to the offense
  • Description and provisional or definitive estimate of injury
  • Your proof documents: medical certificates, work stoppages, photographs, videos, various invoices, statements...

You can use the following mail template:

File a complaint with the public prosecutor

You can send your complaint by mail or file it directly at the reception of the court.

Your complaint will result in your vehicle being registered at file of reported objects and vehicles (FOVeS) and vehicle registration system (SIV) law enforcement agencies.

The FOVeS facilitates the search and control of the police, gendarmerie and customs for the discovery and return to the owners of stolen vehicles.

The SIV can be consulted by law enforcement. Any new application for registration of this vehicle is then blocked.

The police or gendarmerie may also consult the Register of impounds and fixed assets. This register allows the registration of vehicles impounded or immobilized by law enforcement following an offense and vehicles found in a wrecked state.

FYI  

On request of its owner, a bicycle can be identified and marked with a unique number that allows registration on Bicycode. The police and gendarmerie have access to the Unified National Register of Identified Cycles (UNCITRAL).

You must report the theft to your insurance within the time period specified in your contract.

This period must be at least 2 working days since the facts or since the time you became aware of them.

The declaration to the insurance allows to discharging your responsibility if the driver of your stolen vehicle causes an accident or damages property.

The insurer may ask you for a copy of your complaint.

Please note

If your vehicle was parked at your home, you can also report this theft to your home insurance. This can cover theft damage, depending on your contract (e.g. garage door damaged).

If criminal proceedings are initiated against the perpetrator of the theft, it is recommended to notify your insurer at least 10 days before the hearing. This notice shall be delivered by a commissioner of justice or sent by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.

If your insured vehicle is not found within the time limit stipulated by your insurance contract, usually 1 month, you can ask your insurer to be compensated.

The compensation is made against the delivery of the keys and the registration certificate of the vehicle.

If you cannot obtain compensation through insurance, you can contact the Crime victims' compensation board, Civi. For this, the theft must have caused serious disturbances in your life and your income must not exceed certain ceilings.

Please note

Your registration certificate remains valid if your vehicle is found later.

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