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Category B driving licence as a free candidate

Verified 17 janvier 2022 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

Additional cases ? Permit B / How do I pass the code?

You want to pass permit B (car) free candidate, without enrolling in a car school? You need a permit file number on harmonised prefectural registration number (or EHIN). To pass code, you must enrol in an approved examination centre. To practical test, you must book an exam place online or contact the relevant department, depending on your department.

What applies to you ?

Depending on your personal situation, the steps to take may vary.

Age

You must have 18 years or more to obtain the B permit.

However, you can enrol in the exam from the age of 16 years.

Have ASSR or ASR

If you're under 21 and it's the first^mother the class of licence you pass, you must have the 2nd level road safety certificate (ASSR2) or road safety certificate (ASR).

If you have lost your certificate, you can make a statement on honour [application/pdf - 78.2 KB] .

Citizenship - Nationality

If you are under the age of 25, you must be in good standing with census obligations.

If you are a Swiss, Andorran, Monegasque or the European Economic Area (EEA), you must have your personal and/or professional ties for at least 6 months in France.

You must have lived in France for at least 6 months and have a valid residence permit.

Health

If you have a health problem, you must pass a medical check before applying for a driving licence.

Learning booklet

You must have learning booklet paper or digital.

When learning how to drive, you must have this learning booklet with you in the vehicle.

You can obtain a learning booklet from a driving school.

To pass the driving licence, you need a licence file number, the harmonised prefectural registration number or NEPH.

The request done online on the CHILDREN.

You need the following scanned documents:

Certificate of identity
Proof of domicile
1 identity photo or 1 digital photo signature
If necessary, medical advice (form cerfa 14880)

Driver's licence: online request for a NEPH number

National Secured Securities Agency

Accessible with your ID CHILDREN or FranceConnect

Go to online service

If you are French and under 25 years of age, copy of the individual certificate of participation in the defence and citizenship day (JDC) or provisional certificate pending at the JDC or individual exemption certificate

If you are a foreigner, proof of your regular stay or, if you are exempt from a residence permit, proof of your presence in France for at least 6 months (payroll, rent receipt...)

For pass code as a free candidate, you must enrol in an approved examination centre.

If you have obtained a licence of another category, there is less than 5 years, you do not need to pass the code

Obligations of an accompanying person

The learner driver must be under the constant and direct supervision of an attendant while learning how to drive.

Accompanying person must meet the following conditions :

Have licence B for at least 5 years
Not having been punished, in the previous 5 years, by cancellation or invalidation of the driving licence
Not be paid for this task
Sign guide charter
Ensure that the learner driver complies with safety rules, in particular speed limits

Learning vehicle

The vehicle shall be insured.

The vehicle shall be reported with the mention Learning by inscription on front and back of vehicleor roof panel.

The sign shall be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

The dimensions of the panel shall be not less than 40 × 12 cm but not more than 50 × 15 cm.

Any other indication, including advertising, is prohibited.

The vehicle shall have equipment :

For the learner driver : inside mirror + left side mirror + right side mirror
For the attendant : interior mirror + mirror or equivalent right exterior side mirror + dual control devices

Traffic rules

The learner driver shall follow the following rules :

Drive Only in France
Do not drive on motorways before knowing enough about traffic and road safety rules. The apprentice driver must be able to drive at the maximum permitted speed without disturbing or surprising other users.
Do not drive in areas prohibited from driving. Ask the town hall to know them.
Have on board the vehicle learning booklet and the certificate of registration for the driving licence (to be presented in case of road checks).

No minimum training hours are required.

FYI : pending the validation of your application for a driving licence, you may submit your application receipt. Receipt is valid 2 months.

Registration for the practical test

General case

You must contact thelocal authority responsible for organising the practical test of the examination : interdepartmental directorate (office of road education) or prefecture.

You must register department of residence.