The online vehicle transfer declaration is based on a dematerialized Cerfa form 15776*02, accessible via the France Titres platform (formerly ANTS). The seller has a 15-day period after the transaction to register the transfer. Any late declaration maintains their legal responsibility for the vehicle, including for offenses committed by the new owner.
Cerfa 15776*02 and SIV consistency: errors that block processing
The online form directly queries the Vehicle Registration System (SIV). Each entered field is compared to the data recorded during the last operation on the registration certificate. A discrepancy, even minor, between the holder’s name as it appears in the SIV and the one provided in the form causes an immediate rejection.
The most common blocking cases involve vehicles whose registration certificate includes a co-holder. If two names appear on the registration certificate, both holders must validate the transfer, each via their own FranceConnect account. Omitting the co-holder prevents the generation of the transfer code.
Another often-overlooked technical point: the form number. This alphanumeric code appears at the top right of the registration certificate (line indicated by the mention “Form Number”). It differs from the registration number. Entering one instead of the other is a common mistake that invalidates the request without an explicit error message on the platform.
To simplify this process, going through a vehicle transfer declaration with Autoscope allows for a guided process that checks the consistency of the data before submission to the SIV.
France Titres and Simplimmat: what has changed since 2023
ANTS has gradually been renamed France Titres, and the declaration interface has migrated to the Simplimmat process. This transition is not just a name change. The Simplimmat process reduces the number of input screens for simple transfers between individuals, without liens or opposition.
We observe that the rise of this teleprocedure is significant. According to France Titres data relayed by Eplaque, 40,439 transfers were processed in 2024 compared to 2,858 in 2023. This more than tenfold increase confirms that the dematerialized channel has become the standard, not the exception.
However, the new process imposes a substantial FranceConnect authentication. Specifically, a La Poste, Ameli, or impots.gouv.fr account is sufficient, but the account must be active and up to date. A La Poste identifier that has not been verified for several months may require prior reactivation, which delays the process if done on the day of the sale.
Seller obligations before and after the online transfer
The transfer declaration is not limited to filling out a form. Several obligations govern the sale, and failure to comply can invalidate the transaction or engage the seller’s liability.
- The technical inspection must be less than six months old at the time of the transfer (two months if a re-inspection has been prescribed). Without this valid document, the buyer can contest the sale.
- The registration certificate must be crossed out with the mention “sold on” followed by the exact date and time. This handwritten formality on the original registration certificate remains mandatory alongside the teleprocedure.
- The administrative situation certificate (or non-lien certificate) must be provided to the buyer. It can be downloaded for free from the Histovec website of the Ministry of the Interior and certifies the absence of opposition or lien on the vehicle.
- A paper copy of the Cerfa 15776*02 signed by both parties must be kept. Even if the declaration is made online, the physical document serves as proof in case of dispute.
Once the declaration is validated, the platform generates a five-character transfer code. This code is transmitted to the buyer, who uses it to request registration in their name. We recommend communicating this code in writing (SMS, email) rather than verbally to avoid any transcription errors.
Special cases: non-operational vehicle, inheritance, or transfer to a professional
The standard procedure covers the majority of sales between individuals. Three situations require different handling.
For a non-operational or unusable vehicle, the transfer is carried out at an approved VHU (End-of-Life Vehicles) center. The seller does not use France Titres in this case: it is the VHU center that makes the destruction declaration. The seller receives a destruction certificate, and the registration certificate is canceled in the SIV.
In the case of inheritance, the vehicle can be transferred by the heirs provided they provide a certificate of inheritance or a notarized declaration. The registration certificate must first be put in the name of the heir(s) before any resale. This intermediate step, often overlooked, blocks the transfer declaration if not completed.
When selling to a professional car dealer, it is the professional who handles the declaration. The private seller hands over the crossed-out registration certificate and the signed transfer certificate. The professional then has dedicated access to the SIV via their prefectural authorization.
The common point in these three cases: the date and time stated on the transfer certificate are authoritative. Any infraction or obstructive parking occurring after this date-time falls under the responsibility of the new owner, provided the declaration was registered on time.