Exchange of a driving license obtained in Europe (EU/EEA)

Verified 28 June 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Can we driving in France with a driving license European (or a UK license issued before 2021)? In which cases should it be exchanged for a French license? We'll show you the main rules to know about the exchange of a permit obtained in Europe (EU/EEA).

You can driving in France with your driving license European (and your UK license issued before 2021) while it is valid.

The exchange of your driving license against a French license is mandatory only in the following cases :

  • The validity of your license has ended
  • You're asking for a new category permit (extension)
  • You are committing in France a infringement at the highway code leading to loss of points, restriction, suspension, or cancelation of your license
  • Your permit has been stolen
  • You have lost your license
  • Your license is deteriorated

Warning  

Since Brexit, the exchange of a British license issued in 2021 or later shall be subject to rules for the exchange of a permit issued by a non-European State.

You must complete the following conditions to exchange your license European (or your UK license issued before 2021) against a French license:

  • Have your normal residence in France
  • Have the minimum age to drive the vehicle of the equivalent category of your license (for B-permit, 18 years or older )
  • Follow the medical prescriptions noted on your license. For example, eyeglasses are mandatory.
  • If necessary, have passed a medical examination for fitness to drive. For example, your health condition implies a restriction on the validity period of the permit.
  • 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 your license European has been obtained by exchange, it must have been issued by a reciprocating country of exchange of permits with France.

If your license European has been obtained by exchange, it must have been issued by a reciprocating country of exchange of permits with France.

Otherwise, it is impossible to exchange it for a French license.

You can use it in France for 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.

Application for the exchange of a permit European (and UK license issued before 2021) is made online on the websiteANTS: titleContent :

Exchange a foreigners license or a license obtained in a COM for a French license

Prepare the following documents in a digitized version to apply for an online permit exchange:

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You are European (EU/EEA)

If you are European, prepare the following documents:

  • Two-sided color image of the original driving license
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of domicile less than 6 months
  • Entitlement of normal residence in France on the date of the application. For example, tax/non-tax notice, employment contract, social security certificate...
  • Digital photo-signature(if you do not have access to a photo and digital signature service, you are invited to fill in and mail a photo signature form (FPS) during the teleprocedure)
  • If you have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories
  • If your license has been canceled or suspended: decision of cancelation or suspension + letter informing of the obligation of exchange sent by the prefecture + medical opinion
  • If your license has been lost, declaration of loss
  • If your license has been stolen, a theft report made in the gendarmerie or police station

If you have a uk permit issued before 2021, you must also provide the following:

  • Certificate of driving rights of less than 3 months issued by the UK authorities issuing the driving license.
    This document is used to verify that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled.
  • Translation of the certificate of driving rights, if not written in French, by a authorized translator in France.
  • Entitlement of normal residence in the United Kingdom at the time of issue of the British license.
    For example, certification of registration and deregistration of consular registers, employment contract, pay slips, employment certificates.

You are a national of another State

Prepare the following documents:

  • Two-sided color image of the original driving license
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of domicile less than 6 months
  • Proof of regularity of residence in France (residence permit or Ofii sticker affixed to your passport
  • Digital photo-signature(if you do not have access to a photo and digital signature service, you are invited to fill in and mail a photo signature form (FPS) during the teleprocedure)
  • If you have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories
  • If your license has been canceled or suspended: decision of cancelation or suspension + letter informing of the obligation of exchange sent by the prefecture + medical opinion
  • If your license has been lost, declaration of loss
  • If your license has been stolen, a theft report made in the gendarmerie or police station

If you have a uk permit issued before 2021, you must also provide the following:

  • Certificate of driving rights of less than 3 months issued by the UK authorities issuing the driving license.
    This document is used to verify that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled.
  • Translation of the certificate of driving rights, if not written in French, by a authorized translator in France.
  • If you are not a British national, proof of normal residence in the United Kingdom at the time of issue of the British license.
    For example, certification of registration and deregistration of consular registers, employment contract, pay slips, employment certificates.

You're French

Prepare the following documents:

  • Two-sided color image of the original driving license
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of domicile less than 6 months
  • Digital photo-signature(if you do not have access to a photo and digital signature service, you are invited to fill in and mail a photo signature form (FPS) during the teleprocedure)
  • If you have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories
  • If your license has been canceled or suspended: decision of cancelation or suspension + letter informing of the obligation of exchange sent by the prefecture + medical opinion
  • If your license has been lost, declaration of loss
  • If your license has been stolen, a theft report made in the gendarmerie or police station

If you have a uk permit issued before 2021, you must also provide the following:

  • Certificate of driving rights of less than 3 months issued by the UK authorities issuing the driving license.
    This document is used to verify that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled.
  • Translation of the certificate of driving rights, if not written in French, by a authorized translator in France.
  • Entitlement of normal residence in the United Kingdom at the time of issue of the British license.
    For example, certification of registration and deregistration of consular registers, employment contract, pay slips, employment certificates.

Please note

Of originals and/or additional documents can be requested depending on your situation.

The request for an exchange of driving licenses is free.

In the event of theft or loss of a driver's license, you are directed to a page at the end of the online process to pay the cost of the new license (€25).

While your application is being processed, you can drive because you keep your driver's license.

Depending on the complexity of your case, the investigation may take several months.

At the end of the training, your original foreigners driving license is required to check its authenticity (except in case of suspension or cancelation).

You are contacted by SMS and mail.

The email explains how send the original of your driving license in registered mail.

When the instructor service receives the moose of your license, you can download from the ANTS website one Secure Deposit Certificate (ADS).

ADS is valid 4 months.

This attestation will allows you to drive while waiting to receive your french license, within the period of recognition of your foreigner permit.

One on-line service allows you to follow manufacture and dispatch your driver's license.

Track the progress of a driving license application

The expedition of the driving license is made by Expert Letter.

This is a secure dispatch, with hand delivery against signature :

  • The address that you specify during the online procedure must be as complete as possible (building number, apartment number, mailbox number, floor, hallway, staircase, "living at"...)
  • Your mailbox must present the surname and forename from the person receiving the mail.

If you are absent when passing the postman, you must go to the Post Office in the 15 days with your notice of passage or with the number of the Expert Letter.

If you were unable to go to the Post Office within 15 daysNo, you don't have to do anything. Your license will be sent to you.

In other cases, contact theANTS: titleContent via the contact form:

Who shall I contact

  • 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.

The date of issue indicated on the permit is the date of issue of the French permit.

From that date, the license shall be valid 15 years.

However, the period of validity of the license is different in the following 2 cases:

  • In case of medical concern requiring restriction
  • For heavy categories whose validity is linked to the age of the driver. For example, 5 years for a driver under 55.

FYI  

the french license given to you is a probationary permit if the original permit is also valid.

Exchange a foreigners license or a license obtained in a COM for a French license

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