Can I let my French car’s CT (roadworthy test) lapse if I do not drive it?

Reader Question: I am going to the UK for four months and my car’s contrôle technique will expire in this time. Can I leave it in my garage and just get the test done when I return? 

Cars in France that are at least four years old must have a valid roadworthiness test (contrôle technique or CT) every two years. 

Read more: Explainer: The rules of France’s contrôle technique car checks 

You must book your test in the final six months before the vehicle’s current CT expires.

If you drive a car that does not have a valid CT, then you risk a fine of €135 (potentially rising to €750) and your car being temporarily immobilised. 

What if I am not using the vehicle? 

From our research there is nothing that technically prevents you choosing not to have a CT for a car you are not using and which is garaged.

However, as you are planning to use the car again upon your return you should make sure you book a new CT date before the current one expires.

If then stopped by the police when driving your car to a test centre, you could show them you were on your way to the test, and they may be lenient.

Whether they would accept that you truly had not used the car without a valid CT is not guaranteed and you could still be fined and your car immobilised. 

Even if you are planning to not use the car anymore you will need a valid CT to sell it privately although some garages or dealerships may buy it without this. 

Prior to 2009 a car could be classed as ‘non-roulant’ allowing it to be sold onwards, either as a whole or for parts. 

Now, however, you have to make a request for the car to be withdrawn from circulation (une demande de retrait de la circulation). 

You can keep it in your garage unused / for scrap parts which can only be for your personal use and cannot be sold.

Read more: Do you get a notification when car’s contrôle technique test is due?