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How can I take my car from UK to France?

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Emily Carr

Published Mar 13, 2026

How can I take my car from UK to France?

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle is the car and train service linking Folkestone, England, with Calais, France, via the channel tunnel. The fastest and most popular method of travelling between the UK and France with your car, the Euro tunnel crossing time is just 35 minutes, with up to four departures an hour at peak times.

Also question is, how do I take my car from UK to France?

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle is the car and train service linking Folkestone, England, with Calais, France, via the channel tunnel. The fastest and most popular method of travelling between the UK and France with your car, the Euro tunnel crossing time is just 35 minutes, with up to four departures an hour at peak times.

Likewise, can you take your car on the Eurotunnel? It is not possible to drive a car or motorcycle through the Channel Tunnel. Instead, motorists must drive onto the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle train, which boards at the Channel Tunnel terminals in Folkestone and Calais.

In this manner, how much does it cost to import a car to France?

If it is a new vehicle then customs duties average around 10%, in addition to VAT at 20%. You will need to complete two copies of Déclaration d'entrée en France en franchise de biens personnels en provenance de pays tiers à l'Union Européenne , which you should send to your local customs office by recorded delivery.

How long can I keep my UK car in France?

Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported into France for up to six months in any period of 12 months. In order to stay on the right side of the law, the following documents should always be carried: Full, valid UK driving licence. Proof of ID (passport)

What is cheaper Eurotunnel or ferry?

Crossing the channel in your car, whether with a caravan or not, is a choice between the Eurotunnel and a ferry. Although we have found in previous years that usually the ferry is cheaper than Eurotunnel, the quicker crossing with Eurotunnel generally outweighs the cost saving of the ferry.

Do you need a passport to go to France from UK?

As an EU citizen (Except British passport holders): You will not need a passport to travel from the UK to France. Instead, you must hold a valid EU national ID card to confirm your identity and nationality. British citizens need a passport to travel to France.

How do I drive to Paris from UK?

The quickest way to drive from the UK to Paris

Taking Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais is the quickest way to travel if you are planning to drive your car to Paris. It only takes 35 minutes with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle.

How do you get to France from UK?

Option 1: Eurotunnel from England to France (sometimes called Le Shuttle) The Eurotunnel crosses from Folkestone to Calais using the Channel Tunnel and for most people is the cheapest option. You can travel from England to France in 35 minutes and altogether it's a very easy and problem-free service.

How long do you need on your passport to travel to France from UK?

6 months

Can you drive from London to Paris?

There is really only one driving route from London to Paris, which is through the Channel Tunnel. If you take the most direct route it is about a 258 mile (415 km) drive from London to Paris plus about 34 miles (54 km) for the Eurotunnel crossing.

What do I need when driving in France?

Here's everything you need to carry with you when driving in France and a couple of things to leave at home:
  1. Full and valid driver's licence.
  2. V5C.
  3. Proof of Insurance.
  4. Passport/national ID.
  5. Motor insurance green card.
  6. Reflective jackets for all passengers.
  7. Warning triangles.
  8. Two NF-approved breathalysers.

Can I drive to Amsterdam from UK?

As previously mentioned, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle's journey time from Folkestone to Calais is just 35 minutes, and from there the drive to the Netherlands is 3 hours and 15 minutes. This means it takes less than four hours to get from England to the Netherlands, which is considerably faster than the ferry.

How do I register a UK car in France 2020?

Take your Certificate of Conformity, a proof of address (e.g. a utility bill), proof of identity (e.g. passport), and your blue V5C from your UK registration doc. Now you need to go to your local tax office* – Centre des Impots – and explain you are importing your car.

Do you need road tax in France?

Unlike the UK, there is no annual road tax to pay in France, but you will have to pay when you change ownership and the cost can be quite substantial. For most people the cost is between €250 and €350, but it depends on the type of vehicle you are registering and where you register it.

How much tax do you pay when importing a car?

How much UK Import Duty and VAT will I have to pay? Non EC Manufactured Cars - 10% import duty and 20% VAT for private and commercial imports. Pick-Up Trucks - classified as a commercial vehicle; 22% import duty and 20% VAT for private and commercial imports.

How much does it cost to register a car in UK?

You'll have to pay a fee of £55 if you're registering and taxing a vehicle for the first time with DVLA . You can pay by cheque or postal order.

Can I drive my French registered car in the UK?

You can usually use a vehicle with foreign number plates without registering or taxing it in the UK if all of the following apply: the vehicle is registered and taxed in its home country. you only use the vehicle for up to 6 months in total - this can be a single visit, or several shorter visits over 12 months.

What do I need to export a car from the UK?

You'll need to:
  1. Fill in the 'permanent export' section of your vehicle log book (V5C).
  2. Send it to DVLA , Swansea, SA99 1BD.
  3. Keep the rest of your log book (V5C) - you need it to register your vehicle in the country you're taking it to.
  4. Update the address on your driving licence if you're moving home.

How do I get a certificate of conformity for my car UK?

ORDER A CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY (COC)
  1. HAVE A SCAN OR PHOTO. OF YOUR. REGISTRATION PAPERS.
  2. FILL. THE FORM.
  3. MAKE YOUR PAYMENT ONLINE. (secure payment by credit card CB, VISA or Mastercard)
  4. ORDER YOUR. CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY. From one European country to another.

Can a foreigner buy a car in France?

It's generally easier for expats to buy a car in France than it is to import one. Buying used or pre-owned cars in France can be far more expensive than it would be in some other countries. However, this is counterbalanced by the fact that a second-hand car will usually maintain a high resale value.

How do I import a car from France to UK?

How to import a vehicle
  1. Tell HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) within 14 days that the vehicle has arrived in the UK.
  2. Pay VAT and duty if HMRC tells you to.
  3. Get vehicle approval to show your vehicle meets safety and environmental standards.

How much does it cost to take a car on the Eurotunnel?

Day trip and overnight tickets from just £31+ per car each way, subject to availability. Whether you are driving to the Continent for business or pleasure, we have a range of channel tunnel tickets and fares to suit your travel needs and budget. All Chunnel ticket prices include your car and up to 9 passengers.

How far can you take a car on Eurotunnel?

18m

Can you just turn up at Eurotunnel?

Tickets are available at the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle check-in but this is subject to availability. As our prices are based upon the demands of our service, the further ahead you book the cheaper the ticket is likely to be. Tickets purchased at check-in will therefore always be at the highest cost.

What's the difference between Eurostar and Eurotunnel?

Eurostar and Eurotunnel are completely different companies. Eurotunnel operate Le Shuttle, this train carries freight and all forms of motor vehicle, including cars, motor cycles, motor bikes, camper vans, caravans and lorries.

Does the Eurotunnel go underwater?

The infrastructure

The Channel Tunnel is the longest undersea tunnel in the world: its section under the sea is 38km long. It is actually composed of three tunnels, each 50km long, bored at an average 40m below the sea bed. They link Folkestone (Kent) to Coquelles (Pas-de-Calais).

Do you need a car for Eurotunnel?

Whatever type of vehicle you drive you'll find Eurotunnel Le Shuttle offers a valuable service. Just load up your car with the kids, the dog, golf clubs and skis. In fact, pack in as much luggage as you can safely fit; there is no excess luggage charge.

Does Eurotunnel run all night?

Eurotunnel truck shuttle timetable

Our service is available 24hrs a day, 365 days per year. With up to 7 departures per hour at peak times, our hourly capacity ensures traffic fluidity and the fastest possible journey via the Channel Tunnel with an average crossing time of only 35 minutes.

Can you drive to Romania from UK?

Europe Road Trip. Every year we drive from London to Romania and back. It's a long drive, around 1,500 Km if you take the shortest route.

How much does it cost to go through the Chunnel?

You can find more info at - - but if you specify delivery of the ticket to a US address, the website will re-direct you to where the currently listed fares range from $140 roundtrip to $369 oneway. There are even more (and cheaper) fares available if you buy it there.

Do you need breathalyser in France 2020?

Motorists may no longer be required to carry breathalysers from late 2020 following vote by French parliament. A law requiring all motorists driving in France to carry a breathalyser kit in their vehicle looks set to be scrapped, after the French parliament approved a draft bill that proposes to abolish it.

Can you drive in France at 17 with a UK Licence?

Anyone holding a UK licence can drive in France for as long as their licence remains valid. So if a 17-year-old passed their test in the UK, they could drive in France as a full licence holder from the age of 18.

Is it easy to drive in France?

Except in Paris, driving in France is really quite easy. Roads are well-maintained and well-signed. Tolls and gas can be expensive, but I still wouldn't trade the flexibility of having a car when venturing to more rural areas like Normandy and the wine regions.

Can I get an MOT in France?

An MOT carried out in another country is not valid in France.

Do I need an International Driving Permit for France?

Driving in France and Spain from 1 January 2021: Drivers will not need an IDP (International Driving Permit). Plus the Green Card explained.

Are headlamp converters compulsory in France?

Are Headlamp Converters Compulsory in France? Yes they are compulsory. It is the law in France and most other mainland European countries that UK cars fit these headlight beam deflectors. Remember even during daylight hours, you MUST divert the beam of your headlights to make sure you do not dazzle oncoming traffic.

What documents do you need to travel to France?

Passport or ID card? Citizens of the European Union can travel to France on a national identity card, if they have one. EU citizens who do not have an ID card, and citizens of other countries, must be in possession of a valid passport.

How much is car insurance in France?

The cost of car insurance in France is on the rise, with drivers paying an average of €615 per year, as Ile-de-France is named the most expensive region, and Marseille the most expensive city overall.

How do I get car insurance in France?

Applying for car insurance in France. Making a car insurance claim in France. Canceling a contract or changing a provider.

Applying for car insurance in France

  1. car registration certificate;
  2. valid French driving license;
  3. driver history report;
  4. personal details of the policyholder, such as age and address.

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