You just bought a motorcycle and the seller hands you the old crossed-out registration certificate. From this moment, you have one month to obtain a new registration certificate in your name. After this period, riding without a valid registration certificate exposes you to a 4th class fine. It’s best to get it right from the start to avoid any issues.
Errors on the motorcycle registration file: those that really block
The majority of delays do not come from the ANTS computer system. They stem from an incomplete or inconsistent file. Two errors occur more frequently than others.
The first concerns the confusion between fiscal power and engine power. On the registration certificate, box P.6 indicates the maximum net power of the engine (in kW), while box P.1 corresponds to the engine displacement. The fiscal power is listed in box C.V. If you fill in a field with the wrong value, the system rejects the application without a clear explanation.
The second common error relates to the transfer code. Since the digitization, the seller must declare the transfer online and provide you with a code. Without this code, your application remains blocked. If the seller delays or forgets, you cannot proceed, even with all the other documents in hand.
Addressing these two points in advance eliminates most refusals. When your administrative procedures for motorcycle registration get stuck, the problem almost always lies in the preparation of the file, not in the procedure itself.
Motorcycle registration certificate: the three channels to apply
You have the choice of three ways to submit your file. Each has its specifics, and the right choice depends on your situation.
The ANTS website
This is the official and free route (excluding taxes). You create an account on the France Titres portal, upload your scanned documents, and track the progress online. The main drawback: a rejected file can take several weeks to be re-examined. No phone representative can unblock the file on your behalf.
The Simplimmat app
Launched to simplify procedures from a smartphone, it allows you to scan documents directly with the camera. The process is guided step by step. In practice, it works well for a standard ownership change on a used motorcycle.
An authorized professional
Garages, dealers, or accredited online platforms can submit the application for you. They charge service fees in addition to taxes. Since a decree on July 1, 2025, the conditions for accreditation have been tightened: at least one year of activity in the automotive sector, a dedicated location, a clean criminal record for each employee with access to the SIV, and file archiving compliant with the NF Z 42-020 standard.
Since August 1, 2026, authorized SIV2 professionals must also prove at least three years of experience and explicitly renew their agreement. Automatic renewals have ended. Some providers may therefore lose their accreditation, which could explain sudden service disappearances or unexpected delays.
Documents for used motorcycle registration: the verifiable list
Before launching the application, gather all the documents. Just one missing document is enough to cause a rejection.
- The old crossed-out registration certificate from the seller, with the mention “sold on” followed by the date and time of the sale, plus the seller’s signature
- The transfer code provided by the seller after their online declaration on the ANTS website
- A proof of residence less than six months old (utility bill, tax notice, home insurance certificate)
- A valid identity document
- The driving license corresponding to the category of the motorcycle (A1, A2, or A depending on the power)
- The cerfa form for the registration certificate application, completed and signed
For a new motorcycle, the dealer usually provides the European conformity certificate and the purchase invoice. The conformity certificate replaces the old registration certificate since the vehicle has never been registered.
Motorcycle technical inspection and registration certificate: what changes concretely
You may have heard about the mandatory technical inspection for two-wheelers. Its implementation schedule has seen several delays and adjustments. The question arises: is a technical inspection required to obtain the registration certificate for a used motorcycle?
The answer depends on the date and category of the vehicle. For older motorcycles, a technical inspection is required during the ownership change. For newer vehicles, deadlines are progressive. Check the current schedule at the time of your purchase, as deadlines have evolved several times.
If a technical inspection is required for your motorcycle and the report mentions a re-inspection, you will not be able to finalize the ownership change until the repairs have been made and validated by a new inspection.
Cost of the motorcycle registration certificate: understanding the regional tax
The price of the registration certificate is not fixed. It mainly depends on the fiscal power of the vehicle and the rate of the fiscal horse set by your region. Each regional council sets its own rate, which creates significant disparities from one region to another.
In addition to this regional tax, there are management fees, processing fees, and, if applicable, an ecological penalty (which mainly concerns the most polluting vehicles). For a motorcycle, the total amount is generally lower than that of a car, as the fiscal power is often lower.
One point not to overlook: electric motorcycles benefit from a total or partial exemption from regional tax in most regions. If you buy an electric two-wheeler, the cost of the registration certificate may be reduced to just the fixed fees.
Preparing your file in advance, choosing the right application channel, and checking each document before submission are what separate a registration completed in a few days from a process that drags on for weeks.
