Driving in France with a European (EEA) licence

Permit issued by a trading State

If you reside in France and have a permit European obtained in exchange for a permit issued by a State with reciprocal exchange of licences with France [application/pdf - 357.4 KB] , this licence is valid in France.

However, you must complete the 5 following:

• Have the minimum age to drive the equivalent category of your licence (at least 18 years for the permit B)
• Have a valid permit
• Meet the medical requirements noted on your licence. For example, wearing glasses is mandatory.
• Not having been sanctioned by a suspension, restriction or cancellation of your right to drive in the country of issue of the licence
• Not having obtained your licence during a period when you were prohibited in France from applying for a driving licence

If you meet all these conditions, you can drive in France with your licence as long as it is valid.

Otherwise, you are not allowed to drive in France with this European driving licence.

You must wait until you meet all the conditions (for example, wait until the required age or the end of a licence suspension) or reissue your licence in case of cancellation.

If you wish, you can request an exchange of your licence against a French licence.

Exchange is possible even if your foreigner permit is no longer valid.

The exchange of your driving licence against a French licence omandatory in the following 3 casess:

• Your licence has expired
• You are requesting a new licence category (extension)
• In France, you commit a traffic violation resulting in loss of points, restriction, suspension or cancellation of your licence