Once you have purchased car insurance, your insurer will provide you with two documents that you must keep at all times with you when using your car:

• The green car insurance card
• The car insurance certificate (often comes as the bottom part of the green disk)

In the event of a police stop, the officer will request that the driver show the green car insurance card (“attestation d’assurance”). It is the driver’s responsibility to have it and be able to show it. In the event of a default or failure to show the document, the driver may be fined 150€ and must show the authorities their green car insurance card within five days. Failure to present the results of the required document in a fine of 750€ ! 

Note: The green card is due to disappear in April 2024 when all police authorities will be able to scan your vehicle plates and find out whether you have a valid insurance.