Are you driving uninsured?

Steve Trinder from Assistance Le Cloup Location, who help with management of gites and other rented properties in the local area, has sent a "public service announcement" concerning the risks many UK citizens who live here full or part time and keep the UK plates on their cars, insured in the UK. There may be insurers who will provide cover for year round absence and it is possible that controle techniques will cover such vehicles. After reading Steve's warnings please let us have your experience.
"A good friend of mine, who works at the Association of British Insurers, tells me that there is shortly to be a crackdown. Forget Brexit, forget whether you're driving under a UK licence or a French one - it's about car insurance.
There are many, many Brits living out here who are still driving on UK registration plates. That's fine, as we know, if you're out here for a maximum of 90 days at a time. UK car insurance policies generally cover you for up to that period abroad, after which you are no longer covered.
But as we know, many of those cars spend their entire lives here, and so do their owners. Many others are here for six months, and back in the UK for six months.
An inconvenient truth it may be, but I'm sorry, these cars are being driven UNINSURED after those 90 days expire.
If you have an accident in France, the first thing your insurance company will ask you is "we need proof that your car has not been in France for longer than 90 days." If you cannot furnish a ferry/tunnel ticket which includes the transit of your car, then you are in deep, deep trouble. Not only will they not pay out on your claim and that of the other party, but you will also have committed a criminal offence here, which could lead to a huge fine or even a prison sentence for driving without insurance. Worse, if your accident (heaven forbid) led to the death or serious injury of somebody, then your fines, legal bills, compensation payments and an inevitable stay in a French prison will almost certainly bankrupt you. Car gone, house gone, life gone. And all because you didn't fancy changing your car plates and getting year-round insurance here.

Please, folks. If you are one of these people living here for more than three months at a time and who STILL has British plates on your car, you are almost certainly breaking the law. Not only that, you are putting other people's lives at risk. And worse, you are fully aware of what you are doing. Which is unforgivable. Get the car registered here, and get French insurance. There is no excuse for not doing this, it is not difficult.

Best Wishes,
Steve Trinder."

Course de Cote today

The Assomption public holiday today (15th August) sees the annual Course de Cote hill climb car races at St Antonin. The roads from the village to Septfonds will be closed for the duration of the event, so watch for diversions, probably via Cazals. The event starts at 9am with trials and the actual competitive races are after lunch, all being ended by 18h30.

Is Melvyn the man?

Morning Val & Malcolm,

For a car mechanic I would recommend Melvyn who lives in the St Antonin area and can be contacted on 07816 48873. Max

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Clean air certificates

We have been asked about "vignettes" showing the pollution level of cars, required to enter some big cities. We showed the vignettes back in January when the scheme was introduced in Paris. It was subsequently extended to other big cities, Lille and Lyon and more recently Grenoble and Bordeaux.
The vignette can be obtained on-line at a government site (cost 4.30 euros). Just enter details of your car and the appropriate vignette will be sent.

The "pastilles"

The effect of the various vignettes is to restrict or allow entry to city centres on various days: in Paris on most days (though not 24 hours); elsewhere on days with high pollution levels. Fines for non-compliance can be substantial. We are not aware that Toulouse is involved yet, but the pollution levels last week make it more or less inevitable (readers may know if the scheme has been introduced).
If you are ordering a vignette, make sure you use the official site, as others may charge you much more. This link will take you to the English language introduction page: https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/en/

Register your car on-line

Hi, Val and Malcolm.

Further to last week’s report on the new procedure for immatriculating cars, the changeover for Tarn et Garonne is Monday 6th November 2017. From that date onwards, Montauban Préfecture will not process the paperwork and you will be required to do it on-line or via an authorised agent (who presumably does exactly the same as you would do, but for a fee). Until the changeover the Préfecture will be providing the service on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8.30 to 12.00.

For those of us with cars registered overseas who are intending to immatriculate them here, you will still need a "quitus fiscal" as proof from the taxman that TVA/VAT has been paid on the car. In Tarn et Garonne this cannot be done on-line or by post, and requires a trip to the Centre des Impôts office in Montauban (now 30 rue du Danemark). Although you are probably an individual rather than a business, you need to go to the 1st floor, following the sign for Service des Impôts des Entreprises as this is the office which deals with TVA/VAT. 

Bon courage, anyone embarking on the process!

Sarah

Nous sommes le dimanche vingt sept août

There is an auto moto feast at Negrepelisse today,everything for the car enthusiast

http://www.tourisme-tarnetgaronne.fr/diffusio/fr/agenda/index/negrepelisse/fete-de-l-auto-moto_TFOFMAMIP0820000567.php
or http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2017/08/23/2632284-auto-moto-le-rendez-vous-de-l-ete-des-passionnes.html

They love their 2CVs

They came in various colours

More than 4000 aficionados of the classic Citroen 2CV will have visited the gathering at the neighbouring communes of Garons and St Gilles in the Gard these last few days. The "deuchistes", so called because 2CV is "deux chevaux", still have a chance to see the collections today (Sunday), the last day of the meeting, before the traffic jams predicted for the last day of the Ascension "pont" kick in.
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Looking for a car

Hi Val,
My name is Nicole Millard, I am Rod and Jayne Millard's daughter.
I am currently overseas and have been traveling with my fiance for the past 3 years.
We are returning to France in the beginning of Mai, and we were hoping to buy a car before our arrival, so that we can have our independence as soon as we arrive.

We have a budget of 3000 Euros, and we are looking for a small, low mileage, clean and reliable car.
I was wondering whether you would very kindly put this note on your site, so that we could possibly find someone locally who wants to sell their car. 

This email address is the best contact for me, as I don't yet have a mobile number.  nicole.millard21@gmail.com

 I hope to hear back from you soon.
Thank you and kind regards,

Nicole

Petrol heads take note

The Mondial 2016 car show in Paris opens its doors to the public this weekend. One of the most prestigious automobile events in the world the biennial show attracted over one and a half million visitors two years ago.

Renault electric concept. Pic AFP

Some big names are missing, notably Ford, Mazda and Volvo, but also some prestige brands such as Aston Martin, Bentley and Rolls Royce are not showing. Nevertheless there is plenty for the enthusiast to see, with the trend to electric and hybrid cars well represented.
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On until 16th October at the Porte de Versailles, Paris, 10am - 8pm (20h), entry is 16 euros.

French driving test tougher

A few years ago to help a friend become familiar with the "code de la route" theory test we spent some hours with a CD-Rom trying out the 40 questions needed to be answered. You need to get 35 right to pass the test and the questions are randomly chosen from a bank of 1000. We found it quite difficult to get the 35 right answers, and normally about 70% of the drivers taking the test will pass first time.
But yesterday saw a new set of questions introduced, covering more than just road signs and traffic rules. Candidates are also asked about security, ecology and assistance as well as simple car knowledge (tyre tread or pressures for example). On day one only 16% achieved the necessary level, leading the chief examiner to promise to re-examine the questions, as some appeared to confuse almost everyone. Blaming the low pass level on teething problems, certain questions will be withdrawn and some re-written. He commented that as most candidates scored about 30 they only needed 5 more.... The driving school instructors must have been equally in the dark when preparing their pupils. For most readers the need to take the test will never arise, but you never know; lose your French licence and it could be you.
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We missed this

Yesterday was taken up locally with friperies and flowers but some readers might have been attracted to the Chateau de Laserre at Montastruc-la-Conseillere, near Toulouse, where some 60 collectable cars were auctioned. From vintage vehicles such as a T model Ford to powerful Porsches all the cars were in working order and several had illustrious provenance. No reports yet of Gareth in a new Mustang, but we would not be surprised.

1911 Model T Ford. Pic. France 3 TV

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Renault recall vehicles

Some models made by the French manufacturer are to be recalled for their emission systems to be checked. About  15000 cars will be examined after it was discovered that their real level of emissions was higher than the laboratory tests. In circumstances reminiscent of the Volkswagen scandal, Environment Minister Segolene Royal announced that Renault would present a plan to recall vehicles that failed to meet the norms in everyday use.
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Tinted car windows banned

We have all seen (maybe some of us own one) cars with totally blacked out windows. The occupants obviously want privacy from prying eyes, but police claim it also prevents them from carrying out controls. The driver may be using a portable telephone, or not wearing a seat belt, or even with a small child or unrestrained dog in the front seats. Therefore the transport ministry will call for the front windows to be made from transparent glass from January next year, with a fine of 135 euros and 3 points deducted from the driver's permis.
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Diesel to be dearer

The government's determination to reduce France's use of diesel fuel is to take a new turn with the increase of the price of the polluting fuel by 1 centime per litre, per month, during the next 24 months. Since 85% of cars and vans are fuelled by gasoil this will have a significant effect on household budgets. We suppose it would be cynical to point out that it will also bring significant revenues to the exchequer; though 2 billion euros worth of tax cuts have been voted by the Assembly for next year. There has been no equivalent reduction in the price of petrol, so fossil fuels are definitely in the sights of the minister for the environment.
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Goddess 60 today

The Citroen DS (popularly Déesse - goddess) was launched 60 years ago today. Models were marketed over the next 20 years and became one of France's most iconic designs. Not only a striking design but with many engineering innovations, particularly its self-levelling suspension. Today it is sought after by collectors for its eye-catching lines.
Sadly we could not find a free image to brighten the story - do any of you readers/collectors have a picture?
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Car for sale

Mercedez Benz C220 CDi Blue Efficiency Sport AMG

5 door estate

Auto

Diesel

Palladian Grey/Silver Metallic

170,000km (106,000 miles)

Full Service History

Balance of UK Tax, MOT and Warranty until February 2016

3 owners

UK & Europe Sat Nav

Front & Rear Parking Sensors

Electric Tailgate & Folding Mirrors

Electric Adjustable Seatbacks

Leather/Cloth interior

Bought in February 2015 from Mercedes Benz Leeds, to enable owner to move to France

Owner now looking to buy a FR registered LHD car

Would suit Expat returning to UK

Swap possible with car of similar value   

the price of the car !

€14,000 or near offer

Thanks

Mark    info@maisonbelmont.com

Based dept 82
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More pictures in For Sale tab

More charging points in Tarn

The use of electric cars is restricted by the need to recharge the batteries frequently, meaning often just local trips. The Tarn department is to install between 60 and 120 extra "bornes de recharge" during the next few months. No final decision has been taken re the exact emplacements nor suppliers, as officials want to coordinate with adjoining departments.
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Nice car for sale

2005 BMW 318 I. TOURING High mileage, CT 2016.

LHD, French registered, BMW regular service.

1 careful owner, full history, mint condition,

many extras.

Offers at 6500 euros.

0563647492. 0686089410.

Albi circuit under new management

The motor racing circuit has been in financial difficulties for a couple of years now and threatened with closure. The circuit actually belongs to the city but is usually run by private subcontractors. The annual grand prix had been run 71 times until 2014, when it had to be cancelled. The new managers, local firm SN Diffusion, say no grand prix this year either, but hope to stage several other events.
In a fairly densely populated area the circuit is limited to 12 "noisy" days a year, so is looking to diversify its activities.
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Love old sports cars?

Then look out for the Optic 2000 rally passing through the Tarn tomorrow (Thursday 23rd April). En route from Clermont to Toulouse the classic cars, mainly dating from the 1950s, will be at the Albi motor racing circuit at around 15.30. They will then take the Tarn valley arriving in Marssac at about 17.30, before heading on to Toulouse.
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