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Paul
I'm sorry about the delay in replying, I've been away.
Our 'van is 18 years old, a Lunar Clubman 390-2, but we've had it from new and it's in great condition and we're very attached to it. I didn't realise before we moved here that it would even need a carte grise, it was something that I must have missed!
Because it was built in 1989 before much of the European conformity legislation was established, and we had no supporting documentation, the French authorities will want to satisfy themselves that that it is constructed in a way that will not cause a hazard when used (gas and electrical systems) on site, or when towed on the road (chassis, brakes, lighting), before they will issue a carte grise.
With a modern caravan, as with a modern car, the manufacturer supplies a European Conformity Certificate, which shows that the caravan is built to a common set of agreed standards, and by producing this your registration should be a straightforward process at the Prefecture with no need for an inspection.
Sunday Driver has been a tremendous source of information and advice, and I am very grateful because I think I might have given up before now. As it is, the finishing line is now in sight. This week all my documentation was approved and I'm waiting for an appointment for an inspection - which they wanted to do next week but unfortunately I'll be in UK - so it'll be early July instead. This test will cost approx 80€ (I haven't got the exact figure to hand).
The main work I had to do was fitting orange side reflectors (3 each side) and white front reflectors (2), and also fitting side marker lamps (1 each side) high up towards the rear of the caravan; these are bi-colour with a white and red lens. I had to make an identification plate and rivet it in a visible position on the front right hand side of the A-frame, and also 'punch' the chassis number next to it. The plate shows the make, model, serail number, and unladen and gross weights. I also changed the internal mains plug sockets to French style ones. The caravan hasn't been used for a while so I also changed the gas bottle to a French one and replaced the flexible hose (date expired) and regulator.
I wrote to Lunar explaing what I was doing and got a very useful and helpful reply which included an "attestation" (with a copy in French), confirming that the caravan had been built to the early standard EN1645. I think this document has been the key in easing my way through the red tape!
Next I made an appointment with Bureau Veritas and took the caravan for inspection. The guy there checked the size of the living compartments and the sizes of the ventilation grilles and the doors. He checked that the gas appliances had labelled individual cut-off taps. He noted the reference numbers and type number of the gas regulator, and he checked the general condition of the electrical system, battery charger etc. The test took about half an hour and cost 179.40€ and I came away with my certificate.
SD suggested that I compile a dossier for DRIRE and I think this is a good advice; it shows that you have been methodical in your preparation and presentation. The front page shows name and address, phone number etc, and the main details of the caravan - make, model, length, width, serial number, unladen and max laden weights. Inside I inluded photographs of all the identification plates I could find; including the axle, towing head, chassis and my new home-made plate and serial number markings. This makes it easier for the inspector to check the axle type etc. Photos of the caravan from the front RHS and rear LHS enable you to point out the external lighting modifications. My 'van doesn't have reversing lamps (not obligatory for that year of manufacture) but if it had had one reversing lamp and one fog lamp, they would need to have been swapped so that the fog lamp is on the right. I also included a copy of the NCC certificate and a copy of the purchase invoice. I made a second dossier for myself so that I could leave one with the DRIRE official.
My insurer, AGF, has agreed to insure the 'van, but I need to supply the full registration number once I have obtained it. I've asked about the door being on the left and it is not a problem. I can't understand why this question is raised so often; to my simple mind the logical way of looking at it is that French cars have doors on the left, so why should it matter? It's not as if anyone would be travelling in the caravan because that's illegal anyway!
I hope this is of some help. I think that for your 2004 caravan it will be straightforward if you have the conformity certificate and you check the lighting requirements re foglamps.
For anyone else contemplating this process, don't be put off by the red tape, just work your way through the list of jobs, be patient, and make an effort to be polite and speak in French whenever possible.
If you have any other queries please email me.
Happy caravanning
Sid
I came into this world with nothing; by careful management I've still got most of it left!
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