Spanish authorities are systematically stopping cars with certain French number plates
Police believe the cars may be stolen or linked to crime
Number plates beginning with the letters WW indicate that a vehicle has a temporary registration certificate
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Drivers travelling into Spain risk being stopped by Catalan police if their vehicle has a temporary French number plate beginning with WW.
Local police officers in the area of La Jonquera (which borders France) have noticed an increase in the number of these cars crossing the border this summer, as reported by Diari de Girona, a Catalan daily newspaper, on July 29.
“As soon as one [of these number plates] is detected, the officers stop and check [the vehicle],” stated the Diari de Girona.
The same outlet also cited the chief of police in La Jonquera, David Garcia, who explained that cars with these number plates are often used to “pay debts between criminal gangs,” or disguise stolen cars.
Read also: Be aware of the rules when driving from France to Italy, Germany or Spain
What are WW number plates?
Number plates beginning with the letters WW are intended to indicate that a car owner has a provisional registration certificate known as a CPI.
“This is a temporary document issued by the ANTS that allows you to drive in France while waiting to receive the vehicle’s final registration certificate,” explains this official government website.
A CPI WW may be issued if a vehicle was previously registered abroad or if it is going to be exported.
The documentation is typically valid for two months, however the number plate can be automatically extended on a one time basis for the same period, for example if the final registration certificate has not yet been issued.
Applying for these temporary number plates is easy and inexpensive. It is done online via the ANTS website and costs €11.
For this reason, criminals are able to obtain the WW plates and believe they can drive around without arousing suspicion.
Drivers with a temporary number plate who are crossing the border into Spain are advised to carry receipts or other justifications to prove the purchase and ownership of their vehicle.
Read also: Drivers from France may soon be subject to new alcohol limit when visiting Spain
