Professional driving licence: medical check
Verified 08 April 2022 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
You use your driver's licence for work and you wonder if a medical visit, called medical checkis required? Want to know when to take the medical check-up and how often to visit? We tell you the rules you need to know and the steps you need to follow to make the process.
You must pass a medical examination to obtain or renew the following licences:
- Permit A used for a passenger transport activity
- Permit B used for the following activities (taxi, passenger car with driver - VTC, ambulance, school pick-up, public transport)
- Permit C and C1 (heavy)
- Permit D and D1 (public transport)
- EC licence, C1E, OF and D1E (some vehicles with trailers)
Step-by-step approach
The time required to complete the medical check and renew your licence depends on your age and licence category.
Age | Permit A, B, C, CE, C1, C1E | D, DE, D1, D1E |
|---|---|---|
Under 55 | 5 years | 5 years |
55 to 60 years | 5 years or until the anniversary of 60 years | 5 years or until the anniversary of 60 years |
60 to 76 years | 2 years or until the 76 year anniversary | 1 Year |
Over 76 | 1 Year | 1 Year |
Your licence is not cancelled if the check deadline is exceeded, but the licence loses its validity.
You must therefore pass the medical examination without delay.
You must contact a city doctor approved by the prefect of your department.
This doctor should not be your attending physician.
You can consult the list of accredited doctors on your prefecture's website.
It is also available in the prefecture, sub-prefecture and town halls of certain communes.
FYI
you can take the medical check with a licenced physician in a department other than your home. In this case, it is prudent to include in your file an explanation of the use of a doctor other than that of your department of residence.
In Paris
You must download or purchase the medical advice.
You must pre-complete this form before taking the medical check.
On the day of the check, prepare the following documents:
- Original identification
- Original of your driving licence
The doctor should check your fitness, cognitive and sensory driving.
The doctor has you fill out a questionnaire regarding your health condition, review your file and conduct the medical examination.
The doctor may:
- Prescribe additional reviews
- Prescribe a psychotechnical examination with a psychologist who has been registered with the prefect
- Ask advice from specialised health professionals
- Request a driving test
- Request your review by a medical board
If necessary, contact your prefecture to make these enquiries.
In Paris
The medical examination, also called medical checkcosts €36.
Health Insurance (Social Security) does not cover the costs of medical check-ups or any additional tests.
The doctor gives you the original of medical opinion.
The doctor gives the "fit" opinion.
This means that your health is compatible with driving.
The application to renew your licence is made online on the website of theCHILDREN: titleContent.
You must attach the scanned version of the doctor's opinion to the supporting documents requested.
Online application for a driving licence upon expiry
Your new permit is sent by mail to your home.
Upon receipt destroy old licence.
Please note
the prefect is not obliged to follow the medical advice. He can make an unfavourable decision.
The doctor gives you the original medical opinion.
There are 3 possible reviews:
- Unfit
This means that your health condition is incompatible with driving. - Temporary
The doctor specifies the duration, between 6 months and 5 years, and within the limit of the periodic medical visit. - Restricted fit
The doctor shall specify the necessary arrangements or equipment.
You receive a mail to inform yourself that submit comments.
At the end of the deadline to collect your comments, the prefect notify by mail its decision : incapacityability temporary or aptitude restricted.
The letter shall specify remedies and time limits.
You can appeal to the Medical Appeals Board.
However, you must respect the decision of the prefect even if you appeal.
The Board shall examine you, consult the accredited medical practitioner if necessary and transmit its opinion the prefect.
If the Prefect makes a negative decision again, you can request a new medical check in 6 months following this decision.
You can also do a appeal to administrative judge.
- Route Code: items R221-4 to R221-8Issuance of driving licence
- Route Code: items R221-9 to R221-13Categories of driving licence subject to medical advice (Article R221-10), periodicity of checks (Article R221-11)
- Route Code: items R226-1 to R226-4Organisation of the medical check of driving ability
- Order of 1 February 2016 fixing the amount of the fees of doctors accredited for the medical check on driving ability
- Order of 31 July 2012 concerning the organisation of the medical check on fitness for driving
- Order of 20 April 2012 fixing the conditions of establishment, issue and validity of the driving licence
- Order of 28 March 2022 listing medical conditions incompatible with or compatible with the obtaining or maintaining of a driving licence or which may result in limited validity
- Circular of 25 July 2013 on the organisation of the medical check on the driving ability of drivers and applicants for a driving licence
- Circular of 3 August 2012 on the organisation of the medical check on drivers' driving ability
- Driver’s licenceService-Public.fr
- Transport
- TaxisService-Public.fr
- Ambulance and Light Sanitation Vehicle (LSV)
- Online driving licence: where to make the photo and scanned signature?Ministry of the Interior