Why an RTI
Japan is a third country to the European Union. A vehicle arriving directly from it has neither a COC nor a European registration certificate: the AVDT is ruled out. And the French administration cannot ask the country of origin for test results, as it does between Member States.
The technical points to check
- Headlights. They are set for driving on the left. They must be replaced with units approved for driving on the right, or their conformity must be proven.
- The speedometer, which must display km/h.
- Signalling: rear fog lamp, side repeaters.
- Mirrors, which are among the nine areas to justify.
Is right-hand drive accepted?
Yes. No rule forbids registering a right-hand-drive vehicle in France. The vehicle does have to go through the RTI.
The Japanese documents
On export, the Japanese registration document is withdrawn. The file accepts in its place an official document proving ownership and that withdrawal: the export certificate, with its translation. Also find the exact date of first registration, which Japanese documents often give only to the month.
Customs first
Before anything else, the vehicle is cleared through customs and you receive the 846 A certificate, which is essential for registration. See before and after the RTI.