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How to Get a French Driving License

If you're an expat who has recently relocated to France you may require an French driving license. To get one, you'll need to pass both a theory as well as a practical driving test. This can be done by a driving school which will take care of the paperwork and schedule the test for you.

Valid for 3 years.

A French driving license is valid for three years from the date of the issue. The French driving license is a pink, credit card-sized document that contains the holder's photo, date and birthplace along with driving rights. The French driving licence may contain a variety of restrictions and conditions. These restrictions may include driving under the influence.

French driving licenses are issued by a prefecture (or region). Licenses have to be renewed every 15 years and are able to be used in any EU country, as well as Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Some special categories of license have a validity of only five years, for instance the ones for heavy vehicles and passenger transport vehicles. You may apply to renew a standard French driving license in your country of origin or in France. To renew your license, you have to pass both a written exam and a practical exam.

If you're an American citizen, you might be able to swap your US license for one that is a French one without having to take any tests. This program is available for Americans who have been living in France for more than a year and possess a carte de sejour. permis a – permis a2 takes an entire year to complete. You must bring your passport or other official documents of identification with you. It can take as long as up to six months to complete the process, so start early.

Only those who are over 18 years old and have not lost their driving rights in their country of origin can get an French licence. You must have third-party liability car insurance and a medical certificate and you should also take at minimum 30 hours of instruction in an auto ecole (driving school). These schools are situated all over Toulouse and offer French lessons and practice tests. It's a great idea to take introductory French classes in addition to your French class if you're looking to pass the French exam.

You can check your points balance on the Ministry of Interior website or by a letter issued by the prefecture with reference 48N or 48M. You can recoup points that were withdrawn for an infraction by following the instructions on the website. A French driving licence is in the holder's name at birth. Women who are married can use their maiden names on their licenses if they prefer.

It has 12 points.

You must have an French license to drive in France. You must pass both the theory and the practical test in order to get the French driving license. You also have to pass a medical exam. The theory test consists of 40 multiple choice questions. The practical test is comprised of driving skills and road safety rules. You could also be required to pass an exam in writing, based on your age. You will then need to complete a minimum of twenty hours of driving with a driver under the supervision of a driving instructor.

After passing the theory and the practical driving test, you'll receive your license in three months. The license is valid for 15 years and must be displayed when driving. In addition to the points, it must have an image of the driver as well as the date of the issue. Losing points will be removed from your licence. If you lose 12 points your licence will be suspended at least six months.

You can attend a class to recover the lost points on your licence. These courses are referred to as stages of recovery des points du permit and are offered by centers that have been approved. They cost around EUR200 per two-day period. But, you can only recover four points per year. You may also be able to recover your lost points if you don't commit any more traffic violations for a period of two or three years.

After a year within France, you are not able to drive on your foreign driving licence unless you are a diplomat or student. If you plan to remain in France for more than a year, you'll need to exchange your foreign driving licence for an French license.

It is important to know that driving laws in France are very strict. The BAC limit in France is lower than the United States and police conduct random sobriety checks. Additionally, drivers must wear headlights in the evening, and they must wear them when crossing tunnels or in an emergency or construction zone. They must also wear them when it is snowing or raining. The rules differ by region, so it is important to research your local rules.

It is possible to exchange it for the French license

If you are an American citizen and possess a valid license issued by Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey North Carolina or Wisconsin you are able to drive legally in France for one year without having to take the French driving test. If you're involved in an accident and your insurance company finds that you were at fault, they may reject your claim. To avoid this, swap your license for a French driver's license when you arrive in France.

You can change your license by contact your local Prefecture de Police (or Mairie). Ask for the demande d'echange de permis de conduire form. The process varies from one region to another. It is crucial to confirm with the sub-prefecture prior to your travel. You will also need a French translation of your licence that can be obtained at the embassy or through a certified translator.

The application must include an acknowledgement that you've been resident in France for at least six months. A tax notice or French medical certificate can confirm this. You also need to present proof of your identity, such a passport and a photo. The photographs must be in the format that is used for French ID cards that differ from American passport photographs. The application will be submitted to ANTS, the agency that issues French drivers' licenses. The license could take up to several months to be issued.

After you've successfully completed the exchange, you'll have a probationary period before your French license becomes permanent. You'll also have to pass an "auto ecole", or ETG, which is a test that is theoretical-practical. People with disabilities or certain medical conditions may require pass additional tests.

You can prepare for the test by yourself, however it is usually better to go to an educational institution. They will train you in French as well as manage the documents. Some schools will offer you some driving practice hours before your exam.

It is issued by ANTS

A French driving licence is essential when you've just moved to France. It's easy to transfer your driving license since France has reciprocal agreements with many countries. You can apply online however you'll need additional documents like a passport, residence card or other proof of identification.

You can also obtain an French driver's license by taking the behind-the-wheel exam and passing it. You can download your certificate of driving licence (CEPC) after passing the test. You need this number to obtain your physical licence.

Before permis a – permis a2 travel on French roads, make sure your license is up-to-date and that you've passed the medical exam. The ANTS website has a list of approved hospitals and doctors. You can also contact your GP to make an appointment.

Once you've completed the behind-the-wheel test, you can request your license in person on the ANTS site. To begin, sign in to your ANTS account and choose "Je souhaite signaler un erreur on my driving permit recu il y a moins of 6 months." Fill in the required information, upload any supporting documents, and submit your request.

The time frame for processing your application will take between 2 and 45 working days. In the meantime, you are able to drive with a temporary permit issued by your city hall or your prefecture. The cost of a permit varies from region area. You can also purchase a special driving insurance policy that covers you in the event of an accident.


If you're a new driver, you should learn at a driving school to avoid any problems in the future. The driving school should be able to provide you with a list of reputable teachers. Find out their costs, and if they have English-speaking instructors.

You can also ask for a French driving licence from your local prefecture. You will need to present your current driving license and proof of residency. Some sub-prefectures aren't able to allow license exchanges, so it's essential to check beforehand. If you do have to go to the prefecture office, ensure you know the deadline to submit your application.

Member since: Monday, December 2, 2024

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