Vehicle to be destroyed and certificate of registration - Vehicle registered in France

Verified 13 août 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

Your situation

  • The vehicle is registered in France
  • You don't have the certificate of registration
  • You lost him
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You must contact a End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Center. Indeed, since used vehicles are considered as waste, only VHU centers are authorized to ensure their destruction.

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Logo of the centers dealing with the destruction of end-of-life vehicles

You can recognize a VHU center by its logo:

Who shall I contact

You can also contact a organization approved by the manufacturer of your vehicle, who must ensure or arrange for the collection and transport of your vehicle free of charge from its place of detention, and then direct it to an ELV center.

Warning  

Your vehicle must be complete (presence of engine, catalytic converter, battery).

One tool called « I recycle my vehicle at the end of its life » guide individuals in their car recycling procedures:

What to do with my vehicle at the end of its life?

The documents to be provided vary depending on whether or not you have the certificate of registration (previously called vehicle registration certificate) :

You must provide the following:

The VHU center gives you a certificate of destruction.

The delivery of your complete vehicle at the VHU center is free of charge.

In most cases, this declaration can be registered directly with the center VHU: titleContent who takes back the vehicle.

Alternatively, you can report the transfer on the internet via the online service below:

Declare the return of a vehicle to an end-of-life vehicle (ELV) center

You must log in to the ANTS' website by logging in either via France Connect, or via the application France Identity.

You must have a digital copy (photo or scan) of copy 1 of the completed cerfa form n°15776, on which are indicated the contact details of the VHU center and, if possible, its approval number.

Of numeric points (with computers, printers and scanners) are available in each prefecture and in most sub-prefectures. You can complete the process there. You can be helped by digital mediators if you encounter difficulties with the use of the internet.

You can also be accompanied in your approach by a house France Services.

Who shall I contact

Warning  

It is no longer possible to file the declaration with the prefectures and sub-prefectures (or to send it by mail).

Yes, you must inform your insurance company of the destruction of the vehicle. This information allows you to terminate the contract.

Yes, you must inform your insurance company of the destruction of the vehicle. This information allows you to terminate the contract.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • 34 00 - Information on registration certificate or driver's license

    National interactive voice server providing automated responses regarding the Certificate of Registration (formerly known as vehicle registration certificate), driver's license, national identity card and passport.

    If the user does not obtain the answer to his question concerning the registration certificate or the driving license, he will be put in contact with an advisor of France Titres, the French national agency for secured documents (ANTS).

    By phone

    From the city:

    34,00 (cost of a local call)

    From overseas:

    09 70 83 07 07

    From the foreigner:

    +33 9 70 83 07 07

FAQ