French Driving License: Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in France

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French Driving License: Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in France

Anyone driving a motor vehicle on the roads in France must be 18 years or older and have a valid driving licence (permis de conduire). This licence must be carried on all journeys and must be presented to an official on demand. 

Some foreign-issued driving licences are valid in France indefinitely (provided certain requirements are met) and some are valid for a limited period. Some may be exchanged for French licences.  

Foreign issued licences fall into one of three categories: 

1. May be used in France or optionally exchanged for a French one (applies to all EU-issued licences - conditions apply).
2. Must be exchanged within one year of residency in France.
3. May not be exchanged. The holder must undergo a full driving test (theory and practical) within the first year of residency in order to get a French driving licence.

The European Driving Licence

The EU has worked to harmonise standards of the driving test and the appearance of the driving licence so that the licence issued in one country will be recognised by other member states. All driving licences issued since 1 January 1983 conform with the Community model, but they may be in paper or plastic form and can look quite different.

In March 2006, the Council of Ministers approved plans to create a single European driving licence to replace the 110 different models currently in existence throughout the EU. The plan is to phase out national licences between 2012 and 2032. Ultimately all new licences will have much shorter periods of validity (10 years is proposed).

Driving Licence Issued by an EU or EEA Member State

A driver with an EU-member state driver's licence who takes up residence in France is not required to exchange the licence for a French one. 

Note: French licence regulations apply to the non-French EU licence regarding:

• The period of validity of the licence (lifetime with no age-related medical examinations)
• Medical checks 
• Minimum driver's age (18 years)
• Penalties and restrictions, including suspension, withdrawal and cancellation of the licence

EU-licence validity and regulations

Note: An EU-issued licence has the characteristics of a person's EU country of residence, not the EU-issuing country.

For example: if a driver exchanges their EU-country issued licence for a French one, and then moves to another EU country, or returns home to theirs, the licence remains valid but the regulations and restrictions (such as period of validity) of that country now apply to the licence. 

The regulations of the driving licence of a French resident apply to the licence holder when they are holidaying elsewhere. For example, French licence regulations apply to a British citizen who is resident in France but holidaying in the UK.

Using a valid EU-issued licence in France

An EU-member state driver's licence is valid in France provided the following conditions are respected:

• The licence is valid
• The driver is old enough (16 years for licences category A1, B1; 18 years for licences A, B, C, E (B), E(C) and 21 years for D and E(D) licences)
• The licences mentions if a person wears prescription spectacles, or is licensed to drive and adapted vehicle
• The licence was not issued in exchange for a non-French complying non-EU licence (see "Driving Licence Issued Outside the EU or EEA" below)
• The driver has not been suspended or barred from driving in the country that issued the licence 
• The licence was not issued while the person was barred from being issued a licence in France

An exchange becomes compulsory if the licence holder commits a driving offence in France - this is so that points can be retracted.

Licence addresses

While it is completely legal to use the EU-issued licence until it expires, it is not possible to change the address on the EU licence to an address outside of the issuing country. It is generally accepted within the rules that the address on the licence will be from the issuing country and may not be the drivers' actual residential address. 

UK licence holders please note this statement from the DVLA: 

• Further information from the DVLA: Click here

Replacement of licences 

When an EU licence of a French resident expires, the licence holder must renew/replace it by applying to the French authorities. This is also the case if the licence is lost or stolen (a certificate from the issuing authority may be required).

Note: Obtaining a French licence through exchange can simplify matters in case of loss or theft and to obtain motor insurance. After the French licence has been issued, the original will be kept by the French authorities and returned to the issuing authority.

• For information from the French government on driving in France with a valid EU/EEA licence: Click here (in French)
• Full details from the EU: Click here (in English)

To request a licence exchange

Apply to the Préfecture for the form Cerfa n°11247 demande d'échange de permis de conduire. 

• Form Cerfa n°11247 can also be downloaded: Click here (PDF) 

Provide the following along with the completed form:

• proof of identity: passport, residence permit or carte de séjour (copy both sides)
• proof of address: EDF bill or rental contract 
  • Note: some Préfectures may request a taxe d'habitation or taxe foncier statement. The taxe d'habitation is issued by the local Marie annually in October to the resident of an address) 
  • Some may request six concurrent utility invoices (EDF or France Telecom bills) 
• original driving licence (this may need to be officially translated by a traducteur expert-juré, contact details of translators are available at the Mairie and Préfecture)
• a student must show proof of student's status for a period of at least six months
• proof of no suspensions or limitations on the existing licence
• 2 identity photographs 
• photocopies of all documents. 
• stamped, self-addressed envelope
• Note: Some prefectures also request a copy of the driver's birth certificate although this is not always required it's advised to take one

The licence will be exchanged for one in the equivalent category. Once the French licence is issued, the original is taken and sent to the issuing country. The exchange of an EU licence for a French one is free in many Préfectures.

Note: A towing permit issued on some licences may not be included in the new French licence. 

• For further information from the French Government: Click here (in French)

Exchanging professional licences

Professional drivers of busses,  taxis, light and heavy goods vehicles and haulage vehicles (LGV and HGV - those other than standard A and B category) with licences issued by an EU member state are entitled to exchange the licence for the equivalent French one. However, be aware that the Préfecture may require a letter specifying the qualifying category. A home-country consulate or French employer can be consulted and should be able to provide the appropriate information for the Préfecture if necessary. A medical certificate is also required when applying for the exchange. 

In some cases there are age restrictions for professional licences: a minimum age of 21 years and maximum of 60 years. 

• For details on the licence categories: Click here (in French)

Driving Licence Issued Outside the EU or EEA

Drivers 18 years and over may drive in France on a valid foreign licence for up to one year. It then becomes obligatory to hold a French driver's licence obtained either through a licence exchange (where permitted) or by taking a French driver's test. 

At one year from the date marked on the carte de séjour or residency permit, any foreign driving licence becomes invalid. As a result, the driver is uninsured. 

Agreements exist with certain countries and states (including Australia, South Africa, and some US states and Canadian provinces), whereby an exchange may be made providing that it is done within your first year of legal residency in France. This is where a reciprocal agreement exists between France and that country or state. The list of countries with which France has a reciprocal agreement does change. 

• For a full list of complying countries and states, where the licence can be exchanged for a French one: Click here and scroll to heading "Pays avec lesquels la France a conclu un accord de réciprocité"
• Or contact the issuing country's Consulate or Embassy in France. 
• For information from the French government on driving in France with a valid non-EU/EEA licence: Click here (in French)

Australian, South African driving licences

Holders of valid South African and Australian (all States and Territories) licences are entitled to exchange them in the same way as holders of valid EU licences provided the application is made within the first 12-months months of residence. (See To request a licence exchange above).

Canadian licences

Drivers holding licences from Quebec, Newfoundland, Labrador and Ontario may exchange their licence for a French one within the first year after arrival in France. A driver with a licence issued in Ontario may exchange a their category G licence for the equivalent (B or E) in France. In addition, they must have held that licence for at least 24 months in the previous three years. Canadians are advised by the Consulate to report this exchange to the provincial authority that issued the driver’s licence in Canada. 

If the exchange is not made within one year, a full French theory and practical driving exam must be taken to obtain a French licence.

• For information from the Canadian Embassy in France on exchanging a licence: Click here

Canadians with licences from provinces other than Quebec, Newfoundland, Labrador or Ontario may drive on their Canadian licence for three months, but must register with a French driving school and take a French driving test within that time.

• For further information from the Canadian Embassy in France: Click here 

New Zealand licences 

Prior to June 2009, New Zealand had no reciprocal licence swap agreement with France. However, since then, holders of a valid New Zealand-issued driving licence who have been resident in France less than one year may exchange their licence for a French one. This is done in the same way as holders of valid EU licences provided the application is made within the first 12-months months of residence. (See To request a licence exchange above). It is recommended to take a copy of the official agreement in case the Préfecture is not yet aware of the agreement. 

• To download a French-language copy of the official circular: Click here
• Further information from the New Zealand Embassy: Click here

New Zealand licence holders who have been resident in France longer than a year must take a full French theory and practical driving exam to obtain a French licence.

US Citizens

US citizens 18 years and over may drive in France on a valid US driver's license for one year from the time of receiving a residency permit. It is recommended that to attach a French translation by a sworn translator (traducteur expert-juré) to the US driver's license. Contact details of translators available at the Mairie and Préfecture.

If the licence was issued by any of the following states it may be exchanged in the same way as EU and EEA member licences provided application is made within nine months of being issued a residency permit:

• Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia  (check with a US Consulate or Embassy as this list is subject to change)
• To find out how to make the exchange see To request a licence exchange above

If the driver's license is not from one the states mentioned above, the French driving examination must be taken within the first year of residence in France. 

• For information from the French Embassy in Washington: Click here

US students: The US licence is valid for the full duration of the studies.

US temporary visitors: Visitors on a holiday visa (under 90 day visit) may use a valid US driving licence, an International driving licence is recommended but not essential.

When a Licence Exchange is Not Permitted

If the licence may not be exchanged, a full French theory and practical driving exam must be taken. 

• See the Driving Licences in France INFOrmation page on AngloINFO

International Driving Licence

A valid French driver's licence is accepted as valid in all EU countries. Some countries request that a visitor carry an International Drivers Licence (IDL) also called an International Drivers Permit (IDP) (Permis international) along with their valid national licence.

Note: An international licence does not replace a driver's licence - it accompanies it and acts as an official certificate of validity of the national licence. It is an internationally recognised document.

Holders of a French driver's permit may apply for an international one at their local Préfecture. Some Sous-Préfectures also issue International Diver's Permits (IDP).

The following documents are required:

• Valid French licence
• Valid photo ID (passport or Carte de Séjour)
• 2 Recent photographs
• Proof of address (justificatif) such as a water or electricity bill
• Further information from Service Public: Click here (in French)

Related Information

• Service-Public Web site (in French)

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