How to request or renew a certificate of technical compliance of mechanically refrigerated equipment in vehicles used for the national and international carriage of perishable foodstuffs (ATP)

Any vehicle used for the national and international carriage of perishable foodstuffs that comprises insulated, refrigerated or mechanically refrigerated equipment must hold a certificate of technical compliance (ATP) issued by a French test centre approved by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in conformity with the Franco-Monegasque agreement on the road transport of goods.

The purpose of the certificate of technical compliance (ATP) is to check that, before the mechanically refrigerated food transport vehicles are put into service and periodically thereafter, they have been declared fit for this purpose. The aim of this check is to ensure that the equipment is able to produce a cool temperature and maintain the temperatures necessary for the proper preservation of food during transport.

The certificate of technical compliance (ATP) is issued after the vehicle's manufacturer requests its approval for road use from an authorised French test centre. The first certificate is valid for 6 years, renewable twice for a further 3 years.

In addition, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office issues a Monegasque certificate of validity of the certificate of technical compliance (ATP).

A certificate of technical compliance (ATP) is not required for vehicles used in the following cases:

• The transport of any food in a refrigerated or frozen state for a distance from the loading point of less than 80 km without intermediate reloading 
• The transport in tanks of milk and cream intended for industry over a distance from the loading point of less than 200 km without intermediate reloading
• The transport of frozen fish products from a cold store to an approved establishment for thawing on arrival prior to preparation, when the distance to be covered does not exceed 80 km and when the journey time is less than one hour

There is a fee associated with this service - Please see

Registration of a vehicle used for the carriage of perishable foodstuffs that comprises insulated, refrigerated or mechanically refrigerated equipment must be applied for in the same way as for any other vehicle at the time of its purchase.

In the case of a new vehicle, will have a limited validity until 31 December of the calendar year while awaiting the certificate of technical compliance (ATP). Once the original has been obtained, it must be notified to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office in person at the reception desk or by post. Within 72 hours, a certificate of validity of the French document and a sticker extending the validity of the registration by one year may be renewed.

In the case of a used vehicle, the original of the certificate of technical compliance (ATP), which should be currently valid, must be provided at the counter at the time of registration. Within 72 hours, the certificate of validity of the French document with the new registration certificate will be available for collection from the reception desk of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office.

Both certificates must be kept in the vehicle for inspection if required by the police authorities. In addition, they must be presented at each periodic vehicle technical inspection, otherwise a follow-up inspection will be required.

At the time of renewal after 6 or 9 years, provided that the insulated bodywork is maintained in perfect condition and that no major modifications are made with regard to the equipment (bodywork, category, etc.), the owner of the vehicle must make an appointment with an approved French test centre.

A new certificate of technical compliance (ATP) is issued for a period of 3 years and must be notified without delay by the owner of the vehicle to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office, in person at the reception desk or by post, accompanied by the payment, in order to establish the Monegasque validity certificate and update the file. Within 72 hours, the certificate of validity of the French document and the original of the certificate of technical compliance (ATP) will be available for collection from the reception desk of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office or sent by post to the owner.

When the vehicle is 12 years old, after initial registration, there are three options:

• Removing the vehicle and requesting deletion from the registration file (See the procedures How to sell your vehicle or How to apply to have a car scrapped)
• Renewing the certificate of compliance after visiting an official test station in an approved centre in France
• Using the vehicle exclusively for a maximum distance of 80 km (from the loading point to the unloading point) without breaking the cold chain (single client) provided that the temperatures are respected