Driving in France with a European driving license (EU/EEA)

Verified 12 September 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Your driving license European is it accepted in France ? In what cases should you swap your european license against a french license? How to do in case of theft or loss of your European permit in France? Dare you risk a fine in case road traffic offense in France? We tell you the rules to know to drive in France with a license obtained in Europe (as well as in the UK before 2021).

Caution : the rules are different if you want to drive in France with a permit obtained outside Europe (short stay or installation in France).

You can driving in France with your permit obtained in a European country and the United Kingdom before 2021.

However, you must complete the 5 conditions following:

  • Have the minimum age to drive the equivalent category of your license (at least 18 years for the B-permit)
  • Have a license valid
  • Respect the medical prescriptions noted on your license.
    For example, eyeglasses are mandatory.
  • Ne not to have been sanctioned by a suspension, restriction or cancelation of your right to drive in the country of issue of the license
  • Not having obtained your license during a period when you were prohibited in France from applying for a driving license

If you have obtained your European permit in exchange for a permit issued by a countries not reciprocating the exchange of permits with France, sound use in eastern France limited.

Example: you have a Spanish license obtained in exchange for a Chilean license.

You can only use it during 1 year from the acquisition of your normal residence in France.

To continue driving in France beyond this period, you must pass the examination of the french driving license.

However, this rule doesn't apply to you if you're a student. Your permit to drive is recognized during for the entire duration of your studies in France.

You must request exchange of your European permit or obtained in the United Kingdom before 2021 in the following cases:

  • The validity of your permit has taken fine-minded
  • You're asking for a new category of permit (extension)
  • You are committing in France a traffic violation resulting in a loss of points, restriction, suspension, or cancelation of your license
  • Your permit has been stolen
  • You have lost your license
  • Your license is deteriorated

The exchange request permits are available online on the website of theANTS: titleContent.

Yes, if you wish, you can request the exchange of your license for a french license.

The exchange is possible even if your European license is no longer valid.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You are traveling in France

In case of theft

In case of theft of your driving license European during a holiday or a business or family trip to France, you must:

1. Make a flight report to police station or gendarmerie brigade.

One receipt you will then be given the driver's license only in France.

The receipt replaces the permit for 2 months.

Who shall I contact

2. Contact your consulate or embassy.

You will be given one certificate on the validity and scope of your driving rights.

Otherwise, you will be referred to the organization responsible for issuing you this certificate.

In case of loss

In case of loss of your driving license European during a holiday or a business or family trip to France, contact your consulate or embassy.

You will be given one certificate on the validity and extent of your driving rights.

Otherwise, you will be referred to the organization responsible for issuing you this certificate.

You can driving in France during Maximum 2 months by having with you this certificate and the receipt declaring the loss of your license.

Upon your return to your country, you will have to apply to the competent authorities for a new permit.

You are settled in France

If you are settled in France, the European country that issued your driving license is no longer competent to renew it.

You have to make a request to exchange your license for a french license.

If your permit has been stolen, don't forget to report the theft to the gendarmerie or police station.

Who shall I contact

If you commit a infringement in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine or a consignment.

In addition, depending on your nationality, you may be prosecuted and punished upon your return to your country.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You are German, Austrian, Belgian, Danish, Spanish, Estonian, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Luxembourg, Monegasque, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Swedish, Swiss, Czech

You have a home or a job in France

In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine.

If you were not immediately arrested in France, you can be continued upon your return to your country for subsequent offenses :

  • Speeding
  • Non-use of seat belt
  • Red light crossing
  • Impaired driving
  • Driving under the influence of drugs
  • Non-wearing of helmet
  • Traffic on a prohibited lane
  • Use of a mobile phone (or other communication equipment) while driving

You receive a notice of violation written in the language of your country.

The notice of contravention shall indicate in particular the nature, date and time of the infringement, the amount of the fine, the means of payment and the procedure for challenging it.

One call center informs you if necessary on your steps:

You have a deposit approved by the administration (e.g. automobile club, touring club)

In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine.

If you were not immediately arrested in France, you may be continued upon your return to your country for the following offenses:

  • Speeding
  • Non-use of seat belt
  • Red light crossing
  • Impaired driving
  • Driving under the influence of drugs
  • Non-wearing of helmet
  • Traffic on a prohibited lane
  • Use of a mobile phone (or other communication equipment) while driving

You receive a notice of violation written in the language of your country.

The notice of contravention shall indicate, in particular, the nature, date and time of the infringement, the amount of the fine, the means of payment and the procedure for challenging it.

One call center informs you if necessary on your steps:

You're in a different situation

In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine.

If you cannot pay it or if the offense committed is not punished by a lump sum fine, your vehicle may be detained until payment of a consignment.

The public prosecutor shall take a decision within a maximum of 24 hours following the finding of the infringement.

The upright of the recorded sum varies by seriousness of the infringement.

If you do not pay the deposit, your vehicle may be impounded.

The expense are at your expense.

If you were not immediately arrested in France, you can be continued upon your return to your country for the following offenses:

  • Speeding
  • Non-use of seat belt
  • Red light crossing
  • Impaired driving
  • Driving under the influence of drugs
  • Non-wearing of helmet
  • Traffic on a prohibited lane
  • Use of a mobile phone (or other communication equipment) while driving

You receive a notice of violation written in the language of your country.

The notice of contravention shall indicate, in particular, the nature, date and time of the infringement, the amount of the fine, the means of payment and the procedure for challenging it.

One call center informs you if necessary on your steps:

You're from another country

You have a home or a job in France

In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to to pay a flat-rate fine.

One call center informs you if necessary on your steps:

You have a deposit approved by the administration (e.g. automobile club, touring club)

In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to to pay a flat-rate fine.

One call center informs you if necessary on your steps:

You're in a different situation

In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to to pay a flat-rate fine.

One call center informs you if necessary on your steps:

If you cannot pay it or if the offense committed is not punishable by a lump sum fine, your vehicle may be withheld until payment of a consignment.

The public prosecutor shall take a decision within a maximum of 24 hours following the finding of the infringement.

The upright of the recorded sum varies by seriousness of the infringement.

If you do not pay the deposit, your vehicle may be impounded.

The expense are at your load.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • To obtain information, especially in case of loss or theft of your permit during a short stay in France

    Foreigners Embassy or Consulate in France

  • To obtain information and request the exchange of your license for a French license

    Citizens Contact Center - Driving license

    Online

    https://permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr/

    Online Contact Form

    Access to contact form

    By telephone

    34,00 (no surtax)

    09 70 83 07 07 from overseas and foreigner

    Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.