Exchanging a non-European driver’s license
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Date of update
| Helpful tip: Holders of a European driver’s license are not required to exchange their foreign license for a French license as long as they have not contravened the French highway code. Holders of a European driver’s license can drive with their European license after their first year of residence in France. To exchange a European license for a French license, click here. |
An individual who holds a non-European license issued by a foreign authority may drive in France during the first year of their residence permit or long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit.
Foreign nationals with a non-European driver’s license, and whose country of origin has signed a bilateral agreement with France, must exchange their foreign license for a French license before their first year of residence.
| To view the list of countries whose citizens may exchange their driver’s license, click here. |
The French 12-point driver’s license supplied to you will be valid for 15 years. If you obtained your foreign license less than three years ago, you will receive a provisional license.
Provisional licenses are issued with six points. If you commit no driving offenses for a period of three years, you will be awarded a 12-point license.
You will receive a French license in exchange for your original driver’s license. The latter will only be returned to you in exchange for your French license.
Where to apply
In order to apply for the exchange of your foreign driver’s license for a French driver’s license you will have to go on the ANTS website.
Find the relevant information on the website of the Ministry of the Interior
You must exchange your driver’s license before its expiry date, or within 1 year after the start of the validity of the first residence permit or within 1 year after the date of validation of the Long Stay Visa Serving as Residence Permit (VLS-TS) .
| Helpful tip:
Due to the Brexit, the rules to recognize a British driver’s license have changed:
|
List of documents to be provided
The request for the exchange of a driving license is done online, on ANTS – Permis de conduire – Accueil.
Documents to provide for exchange:
- Proof of identity (national identity card, passport)
- Proof of residence permit validity
- Proof of address dated less than 6 months
- Current driving license
- A certificate of driving rights issued by the foreign authorities that issued the driving license, dated less than 6 months
If subject to license cancellation or suspension:
- The decision of cancellation or suspension
- The letter informing of the obligation to exchange sent by the prefecture
- Medical opinion
For a license including heavy categories:
- Medical opinion of fitness for driving heavy categories
- or a declaration of renunciation of heavy categories
In the case of a loss of the driving license, a declaration of loss (only for European licenses in Switzerland, Andorra, and Monaco).
In the case of a stolen driving license, a declaration of theft (made at a police station or gendarmerie) (only for European licenses in Switzerland, Andorra, and Monaco).
Additional documents depending on the applicant and the held license:
- Proof of normal residence in the foreign state at the time of issuance of the foreign license (if the applicant is not a national of the issuing country of the license). Example: certificate of registration and deregistration from consular registers, employment contract, pay slips, work certificate, etc.
- Translation (by an accredited translator) of the certificate of driving rights if it is not written in French.
- Translation (by an accredited translator) of the driving license if it is not written in French.
- If you have acquired French nationality, the naturalization decree (declaration of nationality).
Helpful tip : Licenses issued in countries located outside the European Economic Area, and which do not appear on the list of countries that have signed a bilateral agreement with France, will no longer be valid in France after a period of one year.
Holders of such licenses will need to take the French driving test.
Individuals who do not speak French can take the driving theory test (the code) with the help of a translator.