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Invalidation of driving license (withdrawal of all points)
Verified 14 March 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The removing all your points driving license (zero balance) triggered invalidation from your license? This means that your driver's license is canceled and that you have the driving ban. We'll show you the steps to obtain a new license.
What applies to you ?
FYI
Following a serious traffic offense, several procedures may lead to the withdrawal of a driving license: invalidation, administrative suspension, the judicial suspension and judicial annulment of the permit.
You've been licensed for 3 years or more
Step-by-step approach
You receive a registered letter (letter 48SI).
This letter informs you that your points balance is zero and your driver's license has lost its validity.
You have the driving ban.
You must return your license invalidated to your prefecture in the 10 days upon receipt of the letter.
Contact your prefecture to find out how your license is returned.
General case
In Paris
If you refuse to surrender your license, you risk 2 years in prison and €4,500 of fine.
You may also additional penalties following:
- Suspension of the license for a period of up to 3 years (accommodation possible outside the professional activity)
- Sentence of work of general interest
- Sentence of fine days
- Prohibition on driving certain vehicles, including vehicles without a license, for a period of up to 5 years
- Obligation to perform, at your expense, a road safety awareness course
- Confiscation of your vehicle
- Obligation to driving with an alcohol test (EAD) for up to 5 years.
The registered letter (letter 48SI) tells you how to make a claim.
You can make a administrative appeal to the Ministry of the Interior and/or a contentious appeal before the administrative court.
The appeal to the Ministry of the Interior can be made online or by post.
By mail
Who shall I contact
Ministry of the Interior - National Driving Rights Office
By mail
Ministry of the Interior
National Driving Rights Office
Beauvau Square
75800 Paris Cedex 08
You must inform your insurance policy in case of withdrawal of a driving license.
You must inform him by registered letter with AR: titleContent within a period of 15 days from notification withdrawal of driving licenses.
Invalidation entrains the driving ban a vehicle that requires a license to drive.
You have to wait 6 months for obtain a new license, or 1 year if you have already lost your zero balance license in the last 5 years.
6 months or 1 year starts from the date of surrender of your permit to the prefect.
If you drive while your license is invalidated, you risk 2 years in prison and €4,500 of fine.
You may also additional penalties following:
- Suspension of the license for a period of up to 3 years (accommodation possible outside the professional activity)
- Sentence of work of general interest
- Sentence of fine days
- Prohibition on driving certain vehicles, including vehicles without a license, for a period of up to 5 years
- Obligation to perform, at your expense, a road safety awareness course
- Confiscation of your vehicle
- Obligation to driving with an alcohol test (EAD) for up to 5 years.
FYI
The invalidation of the driving license does not concern the road safety certificate, category AM of the license. You can therefore request a driving license with the AM category only. The request is made online on the websiteANTS: titleContent.
If you wish to drive at the end of the driving prohibition period, you must take a psychotechnical examination.
You can take the psychotechnical exam without waiting for the end of the driving prohibition period.
You must make an appointment with a registered psychologist with the prefect.
The examination lasts at least 40 minutes. It includes a personal interviewand one or more psychotechnical tests.
The average cost of the psychotechnical examination is €100 about.
The list of registered psychologists is available on the websites of the prefectures.
General case
In Paris
Please note
Check in the letter from notification invalidation if you need to have further medical examinations.
In order to be able to continue driving at the end of the driving prohibition period, you must go through a medical examination, called medical examination.
You can go through the medical without waiting for the period of driving prohibition to end.
1. Make an appointment
The approach varies depending on the offense committed.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Alcohol or drug related offense
You must make an appointment with the medical commission on the website of your prefecture.
It may also be, on a decision of the prefect, the medical commission of department where you committed the offense.
General case
In Paris
Who shall I contact
Other Offense
You must speak to a city doctor approved by the prefect of your department.
This doctor should not be your doctor.
You can consult the list of accredited doctors on the websites of the prefectures. The list of accredited doctors is also available in the prefectures, sub-prefectures and in the town halls of certain municipalities.
FYI
You can take the medical examination with a doctor registered in a department other than your residence. In this case, it is prudent to attach to your file the explanation of the use of a doctor other than that of your department of residence.
2. Prepare documents to provide
On the day of the inspection, prepare the following documents:
- Cerfa Form No. 14880 pre-filled
- Proof of identity
- Decision to invalidate the license and letter of notification of the decision
- Results of medical examinations if requested in the letter of notification
- Result of the psychotechnical examination.
3. Go through medical
The medical check is on your physical fitness, cognitive and sensory to drive.
You must report with the results of requested medical examinations in the letter from notification of invalidation.
Of additional examinations and advice from qualified healthcare professionals may be requested.
The medical officer may also request that you be summoned to the departmental medical commission. You then have to make an appointment on your prefecture's website.
4. Pay for medical screening
The price of the medical examination is:
- Before a licensed doctor: €36
- Before the Medical Committee: €50
The health insurance does not cover the costs of the check, nor any additional examinations. However, medical check-ups are free of charge for a disabled person whose recognized rate of disability is 50% or more.
5. Retain the result of the medical examination
The approach varies depending on whether the opinion is favorable or unfavorable.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
If the opinion is favorable
The medical opinion is given to you.
The medical opinion has a validity of 2 years.
This document should be attached to your application for registration for the driving license examination.
If the opinion is unfavorable
A decision to be unfit to drive is notified.
The letter sets out the remedies and time limits for appeal.
The letter to you notifier the decision of the prefect following the medical examination indicates how to appeal.
You can make a contentious appeal before the administrative court.
You can also go to the medical appeal board.
Your appeal does not prevent the decision of the prefect from applying.
The committee examines you, consults the authorized doctor if necessary and sends its opinion to the prefect.
If the prefect makes an unfavorable decision again, you can request a new medical examination within 6 months of that decision or make a appeal to the administrative court.
General case
In Paris
You must register for the license examination on the ANTS website within 9 months from surrender of your license to the prefecture.
Registration for the examination of the license is done online on the websiteANTS: titleContent.
Prepare the following documents in a photographic or scanned version:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- 1 photo ID or 1 digital photo-signature
- Medical advice given at the end of the medical examination.
Once you have processed your request, you will receive by email a certificate of registration (or return permit form) .
The certificate shall specify in particular:
- What categories of permits and what tests you need to take
- Until what date you are prohibited from driving.
Once registered for the examination on the website of the ANTS: titleContentYes, you can reissue the driver's license.
If you have your license for 3 years or more, you must only to retake the theoretical test (code).
However, you must complete the 2 conditions following:
- The duration invalidation of your license must be less than 1 year. In general, the invalidation time is 6 months.
- You must have registered for the examination of the permit on the websiteANTS: titleContent within a period of 9 months from the delivery of your permit to the prefecture.
If you do not meet these 2 conditions, you must re-pass the code and driving.
FYI
If successful, you get a probationary permit. You get the category of license you had before you were invalidated, or the equivalent category if the rules have changed in the meantime.
You first get the A2 permit.
- If you have taken the training to upgrade from A2 to A, you will be able to apply for the A permit after two years. The certificate of completion of the training will be attached to your online application on the website of theANTS: titleContent.
- If you did not take this training, you will have to take it after 2 years before applying for the A license.
You've had the license for less than three years
Step-by-step approach
You receive a registered letter (letter 48SI).
This letter informs you that your points balance is zero and your driver's license has lost its validity. You have the driving ban.
You must return your license invalidated to your prefecture in the 10 days upon receipt of the letter.
Contact your prefecture to find out how your license is returned.
General case
In Paris
If you refuse to surrender your license, you risk 2 years in prison and €4,500 of fine.
You may also additional penalties following:
- Suspension of the license for a period of up to 3 years (accommodation possible outside the professional activity)
- Sentence of work of general interest
- Sentence of fine days
- Prohibition on driving certain vehicles, including vehicles without a license, for a period of up to 5 years
- Obligation to perform, at your expense, a road safety awareness course
- Confiscation of your vehicle
- Obligation to driving with an alcohol test (EAD) for up to 5 years.
The registered letter (letter 48SI) tells you how to make a claim.
You can make a administrative appeal to the Ministry of the Interior and/or a contentious appeal before the administrative court.
The appeal to the Ministry of the Interior can be made online or by post.
By mail
Who shall I contact
Ministry of the Interior - National Driving Rights Office
By mail
Ministry of the Interior
National Driving Rights Office
Beauvau Square
75800 Paris Cedex 08
You must inform your insurance policy in case of withdrawal of a driving license.
You must inform him by registered letter with AR: titleContent within a period of 15 days from notification withdrawal of driving licenses.
Invalidation entrains the driving ban a vehicle that requires a license to drive.
You have to wait 6 months to obtain a new license, or 1 year if you have already lost your zero balance license in the last 5 years.
6 months or 1 year starts from the date of surrender of your permit to the prefect.
If you drive while your license is invalidated, you risk 2 years in prison and €4,500 of fine.
You may also additional penalties following:
- Suspension of the license for a period of up to 3 years (accommodation possible outside the professional activity)
- Sentence of work of general interest
- Sentence of fine days
- Prohibition on driving certain vehicles, including vehicles without a license, for a period of up to 5 years
- Obligation to perform, at your expense, a road safety awareness course
- Confiscation of your vehicle
- Obligation to driving with an alcohol test (EAD) for up to 5 years.
FYI
The invalidation of the driving license does not concern the road safety certificate, category AM of the license. You can therefore request a driving license with the AM category only. The request is made online on the websiteANTS: titleContent.
In order to be able to renew at the end of the driving prohibition period, you must pass a psychotechnical examination.
You can take the exam without waiting for the end of the driving prohibition period.
You must make an appointment with a registered psychologist with the prefect.
The examination lasts at least 40 minutes. It includes a personal interviewand one or more psychotechnical tests.
The average cost of the psychotechnical examination is €100 about.
The list of registered psychologists is available on the websites of the prefectures.
General case
In Paris
Please note
Check in the letter from notification invalidation if you need to undergo medical examinations.
In order to be able to continue driving at the end of the driving prohibition period, you must go through a medical examination, called medical examination.
You can go through the medical without waiting for the period of driving prohibition to end.
1. Make an appointment
The approach varies depending on the offense committed.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Alcohol or drug related offense
You must make an appointment with the medical commission on the website of your prefecture.
It may also be, on a decision of the prefect, the medical commission of department where you committed the offense.
General case
In Paris
Who shall I contact
Other Offense
You must speak to a city doctor approved by the prefect of your department.
This doctor should not be your doctor.
You can consult the list of accredited doctors on the websites of the prefectures. The list of accredited doctors is also available in the prefectures, sub-prefectures and in the town halls of certain municipalities.
FYI
You can take the medical examination with a doctor registered in a department other than your residence. In this case, it is prudent to attach to your file the explanation of the use of a doctor other than that of your department of residence.
2. Prepare documents to be provided
On the day of the inspection, prepare the following documents:
- Cerfa Form No. 14880 pre-filled
- Proof of identity
- Decision to invalidate the license and letter of notification of the decision
- Results of medical examinations if requested in the letter of notification
- Psychotechnical examination result
3. Go through medical
The medical check is on your physical fitness, cognitive and sensory to drive.
You must report with the results of requested medical examinations in the letter from notification of invalidation.
Of additional examinations and advice from qualified healthcare professionals may be requested.
The medical officer may also request that you be summoned to the departmental medical committee. You then have to make an appointment on your prefecture's website.
General case
In Paris
4. Pay for medical screening
The price of the medical examination is:
- Before a licensed doctor: €36
- Before the Medical Committee: €50
The health insurance does not cover the costs of the check, nor any additional examinations. However, medical check-ups are free of charge for a disabled person whose recognized rate of disability is 50% or more.
5. Retain the result of the medical examination
The approach varies depending on whether the opinion is favorable or unfavorable.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
If the opinion is favorable
The medical opinion is given to you.
The medical opinion has a validity of 2 years.
This document should be attached to your application for registration for the driving license examination.
If the opinion is unfavorable
A decision to be unfit to drive is notified.
The letter sets out the remedies and time limits for appeal.
The letter to you notifier the decision of the prefect following the medical examination indicates how to appeal.
You can make a contentious appeal before the administrative court.
You can also go to the medical appeal board.
Your appeal does not prevent the decision of the prefect from applying.
The committee examines you, consults the authorized doctor if necessary and sends its opinion to the prefect.
If the prefect makes an unfavorable decision again, you can request a new medical examination within 6 months of that decision or make a appeal to the administrative court.
General case
In Paris
Before you can take the license tests, you must sign up for the exam on the websiteANTS: titleContent.
Prepare the following documents in a photographic or scanned version:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- 1 photo ID or 1 digital photo-signature
- Medical advice given at the end of the medical examination.
Once you have processed your request, you will receive by email a certificate of registration (or return permit form).
The certificate shall specify in particular:
- What categories of permits and what tests (code or code + conduct) you need to pass again
- Until what date you are prohibited from driving.
Once registered for the examination on the website of the ANTS: titleContent, you can take the license tests.
You can take the license tests without waiting for the end of the driving prohibition period.
If you have your license for less than 3 years, you must replay code and driving.
If you had multiple categories of the license, you have to go through the practical tests of each category.
The date used to calculate the 3-year period is the date on which the 1re category.
FYI
If successful, you get a probationary permit. You get the category of license you had before you were invalidated, or the equivalent category if the rules have changed in the meantime.
You first get the A2 permit.
- If you have taken the training to upgrade from A2 to A, you will be able to apply for the A permit after two years. The certificate of completion of the training will be attached to your online application on the website of theANTS: titleContent.
- If you did not take this training, you will have to take it after 2 years before applying for the A license.
Driver's license - Medical opinion
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Citizens Contact Center - Driving license
Online Contact Form
Access to contact form
By telephone
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09 70 83 07 07 from overseas and foreigner
Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service
For more information on this topic, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their status.
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The informants who answer you belong to the Ministry of the Interior.
Invalidation of the permit (Article L223-5)
Issuance of driving licenses
Medical check of fitness for driving (Article R211-13)
Notification of the invalidation of the permit (Article R223-3)
License invalidation: conditions for obtaining a new license (Articles R224-20 and R224-21)
Organization of medical checks on driving ability
Driver's license examination certificate (Article 4)
FAQ
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Ministry of the Interior