RTI or AVDT?
A vehicle arriving directly from North America comes under the RTI. If it has already been permanently registered in a European Union country, an AVDT may be enough: see avdt.fr.
The most common gaps
- Lighting and signalling, designed to North American rules.
- The speedometer, which must display km/h.
- Emissions and noise level, which are among the nine areas to prove in writing.
A budget to assess before you buy
If conformity cannot be proven by documents, the administration may ask for paid laboratory tests, or even modifications to the vehicle. Review the available documents before buying, not after.
Vehicles over 30 years old
Older American cars come under the collector vehicle scheme, not the RTI01.2 form.
Customs first
The vehicle is cleared through customs on arrival and you receive the 846 A certificate. See before and after the RTI.