Licence B: Car or van
Verified 01 January 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Which vehicles can be driven with the B licence? What's the minimum age? How do I register, take exams (code and conduct) and apply for a permit? You are advised of the steps to take to pass the B permit.
Step-by-step approach
Car or van
A B licence permits the driver to drive a vehicle that has the following 3 characteristics:
- It shall be used for the carriage of persons or goods
- Sound PTAC is less than or equal to 3,5 tons
- It has 9 seats maximum (driver included)
This vehicle may be coupled to:
- a trailer with a PTAC of 750 kg or less
- or a trailer with a PTAC greater than 750 kg if the sum of the PTAC (car + trailer) does not exceed 3 500 kg.
The B licence also allows you to drive a agricultural or forestry vehicle with a speed not exceeding 40 km/h, regardless of the weight of its trailer.
The additional reference 96 Permit B is required in the following circumstances:
- PTAC: titleContent of the trailer exceeding 750 kg
- Sum of PTAC (vehicle + trailer): greater than 3 500 kg not exceeding 4250 kg
To obtain the additional 96, you must follow a 7-hour training.
The training consists of an out-of-circulation (HC) sequence and an in-circulation (CIR) sequence.
Contact a registered school or association for social or professional integration or reintegration.
Driver's licence: find a school near you
At the end of this training, you will receive a certificate.
This certificate does not allow you to drive.
Only the addition of the additional entry 96 on category B of the driving licence authorises the driving of vehicles falling within that category.
This addition is requested by the registered school or association.
2 or 3 wheels (motorcycle, scooter...)
Category B of the driving licence authorises the driving of 2 motor wheels or a 3-wheeled scooter subject to completion several conditions (training, length of licence B, age).
Camping
Camper less than or equal to 3,5 tons
Permit B allows the conduct of a motorhome of which PTAC shall not exceed 3,5 tons.
A B licence permits the driver to drive a vehicle that has the following 3 characteristics:
- It shall be used for the carriage of persons or goods
- Sound PTAC is less than or equal to 3,5 tons
- It has 9 seats maximum (driver included)
This vehicle may be coupled to:
- a trailer with a PTAC of 750 kg or less
- or a trailer with a PTAC greater than 750 kg if the sum of the PTAC (car + trailer) does not exceed 3 500 kg.
Camper + 3.5 tons
Characteristics of Permit B | Driving with a B licence? |
|---|---|
Permit B issued on or after January 20, 1975 | No. You must pass permit C1. |
Permit B issued before January 20, 1975, invalidated or cancelled after that date | No. You must pass permit C1. |
Permit B issued before January 20, 1975 obtained following the exchange of a permit issued by another State (European (or not) where the exchange took place after 20 January 1975 | No. You must pass permit C1. |
Licence B issued before January 20, 1975 following the validation of a professional diploma when this validation took place after January 20, 1975 | No. You must pass permit C1. |
B licence issued before January 20, 1975, obtained following the conversion of a military driver's licence when that conversion took place after January 20, 1975 | No. You must pass permit C1. |
Permit B issued before January 20, 1975 | Yes |
Age
You must have 18 years or older to obtain the B permit.
However, you can enrol in the exam from the age of 16 (or 15 if you are preparing the permit under early learning of driving).
Own ASSR or ASR
If you're under 21 and it's the firstmother class of licence you are issuing, you must hold the 2nd level road safety certificate (ASSR2) or road safety certificate (ASR).
In case of loss or theft of these certificates, you can make a statement on honour.
Citizenship - Citizenship
You are French
If you are under the age of 25, you must be in compliance with the defence and citizenship day (JDC).
You are European
If you are a national of Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco or the European Economic Area (EEA), you must have your personal and/or professional ties for at least 6 months in France.
You're foreigners
You must have lived in France for at least 6 months and have a valid residence permit.
Health status
If you have a health problem, you have to pass a medical check before applying for a driving licence.
If you are taking courses in a car school to prepare for the licence exam, the fees vary depending on the institution and the preparation you choose.
Registration to code cost €30.
If the code fails, you must repay this amount.
Through a car school
Upon your request, your school will take care of your registration for the permit exam.
However, you must activate the account created on your behalf on theTWO: titleContent.
You receive an email to activate the account.
One harmonised prefectural registration number (HLN) is assigned to you when registering for the exam.
To register, the school needs the following documents, photographed or scanned ::
- Certificate of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- 1 digital photo signature
- If necessary, medical advice (form cerfa 14880)
- For a minor or under legal guardianship, 1 copy of the proof of identity of his legal representative
- For 1re application for a permit, if you are french, 17 years of age or older, but not older than 25 years, individual certificate of participation in the defence and citizenship day (JDC) or an individual certificate of exemption, or a certificate of status vis-à-vis the national service, or a provisional certificate of status vis-à-vis the national service
- 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...)
On your own
You can choose to register for the permit yourself.
One harmonised prefectural registration number (HLN) is assigned to you when registering for the exam.
The online service is accessible with FranceConnect or identifiers TWO: titleContent.
If you don't have an ANTS ID, you can create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.
Prepare the following documents, photographed or scanned ::
- Certificate of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- 1 digital photo signature
- If necessary, medical advice (form cerfa 14880)
- For a minor or under legal guardianship, 1 copy of the proof of identity of his legal representative
- For 1re application for a permit, if you are french, 17 years of age or older, but not older than 25 years, individual certificate of participation in the defence and citizenship day (JDC) or an individual certificate of exemption, or a certificate of status vis-à-vis the national service, or a provisional certificate of status vis-à-vis the national service
- 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...)
Driver's licence: register online for the exam (NEPH number assignment)
You can pass the code (ETG) via a school car or as a free candidate.
To be exempted from passing the code, you must at least one of the following conditions ::
- Have obtained a favourable result for the theoretical test (code) for a maximum of 5 years
- Have a licence category for 5 years or less, except AM category
- Have a French driving licence obtained by exchange (code 70) for 5 years or less
Code 70 should be followed by the following letters: DE (Germany), AT (Austria), BE (Belgium), BG (Bulgaria), CY (Cyprus, Greek), HR (Croatia), DK (Denmark), ES (Spain), EE (Estonia), FI (Finland), GR (Greece), HU (Hungary), IE (Ireland), IT (Italy), LV (Latvia), LT (Lithuania), LU (Luxembourg), MT (Malta), NL (Netherlands), PL (Poland), PT (Portugal), CZ (Czech Republic), RO (Romania), SK (Slovakia), SI (Slovenia), SE (Sweden), IS (Iceland), LI (Liechtenstein), NO (Norway).
Code waiver may be granted if you present any of the following:
- Valid driving licence
- Certificate of temporary examination of the valid driver's licence, paper or dematerialised (4 months maximum)
Warning
since 2021, categories A1 or A2 no longer allow a code waiver (general theoretical test or ETG).
Self-school
You're on the first time
The duration of the training is 20 hours minimumincluding 15 hours on taxiways, or at least 10 hours in the case of a driving simulator.
You have an AM or B1 licence
The duration of the training is 20 hours minimumincluding 15 hours on taxiways, or at least 10 hours in the case of a driving simulator.
You have an A, A1 or A2 permit
The duration of the training depends on your progress in learning.
You pass the automatic gearbox licence
The duration of the training is 13 hours minimum, including 10 hours on taxiways, or at least 7 hours in the case of a driving simulator.
FYI
if you pass the permit automatic gearbox (restrictive code 78), you will have to follow a training to drive a car to manual box. You must wait a minimum 3 months after the permit has been issued. Hard training 7 hours. Contact labelled self-school.
Free candidate
You can prepare for the exam with a loved one in free candidate.
If you followed early learning of driving formula, your initial training completion certificate is verified.
One view test can be achieved.
In the event of an inconclusive test, the examiner shall report it to the local driving licence examination department: DDT: titleContent, DDTM: titleContent (road education office) or prefecture.
You must then make an appointment to pass a medical check with a licenced physician.
The practical test assesses the following ::
- Compliance with the provisions of the Highway Code
- Knowledge of the vehicle and ability to detect the most important technical defects
- Control control and vehicle handling
- Ability to ensure its own safety and that of other users on any type of road
- Ability to perceive and anticipate traffic hazards and to act appropriately
- Knowledge of basic first aid concepts
- Degree of autonomy in the realisation of a journey
- Ability to drive while respecting the environment and adopting a courteous and considerate behaviour towards other users
Practical test 32 minutes.
The practical test shall include the following: ::
- At least 25 minutes driving time
- Performing 2 different manoeuvres (one stop braking and one reverse manoeuvre)
- Verification of a technical component inside or outside the vehicle
- Road safety issue
- Question about basic first aid concepts
To be received, you must get 20 points or more and do not make any eliminatory errors.
For example, crossing a continuous line, driving on the left, not respecting a signal that requires stopping.
Please note
registration on RdvPermit allows book online his appointment for the practical examination driver's licence in the following departments ::
Ain (01), Aisne (02), Allier (03), Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (04), Hautes-Alpes (05), Alpes-Maritimes (06), Ardèche (07), Ariège (09), Aude (11), Aveyron (12), Bouches-du - Rhône (13), Calvados (14), Cantal (15), Charente (16), Charente-Maritime (17), Cher (18), Corrèze (19), Côtes-d'Armour (22), Creuse (23), Dordogne (24), Drôme (26 ), Eure (27), Eure-et-Loir (28), Finistère (29), Gard (30), Haute-Garonne (31), Gers (32), Gironde (33), Hérault (34), Ille-et-Vilaine (35), Indre (36), Indre et-Loire (37), Isère (38), Landes (40), Loir-et-Cher (41), Loire (42), Haute-Loire (43), Loire-Atlantique (44), Loiret (45), Lot (46), Lot-et-Garonne (47), Lozère (48), Maine-et-Loire (49), Manche (50), Mayenne (53), Morbihan (56), Nord (59), Oise (60), Orne (61), Pas-de-Calais (62), Puy-de-Dôme (63), Pyrénées-Atlantiques (6 4), Hautes-Pyrénées (65), Pyrénées-Orientales (66), Rhône (69), Sarthe (72), Savoie (73), Haute-Savoie (74), Paris (75), Seine-Maritime (76), Seine-et-Marne (77), Yvelines (7 8), Deux-Sèvres (79), Somme (80), Tarn (81), Tarn-et-Garonne (82), Var (83), Vaucluse (84), Vendée (85), Vienna (86), Haute-Vienne (87), Essonne (91), Hauts-de-Seine (92), Seine-Saint-Denis (93), Val-de-Marne (94) and Val-d'Oise (95), Guadeloupe (971), Martinique (972), Guyane (973), La Réunion (974), Mayotte (976).
RdvPermit: Book a place online for the practical driving test
After the practical test, the inspector does not communicate the result orally to you.
You must view online results on the Road Safety website 48 hours after the exam.
If the result is favourable, download your driving licence examination certificate (ECC).
This certificate, together with an identity document, serves as a driving licence for 4 months from the day of the examination.
In case of control of the police, you can present the CEPC paper version or directly on a smartphone or tablet.
The CEPC does not allow driving abroad.
Know and download the results of the driving test
FYI
if you fail a driving test, you cannot take the next test before 2 days (date to date).
To obtain your B licence, the process is different depending on whether it is your 1mother obtaining a driver's licence or adding a category.
1st Permit
Ask your school whether it is taking care of your driving licence or whether it is up to you to ask for it.
If you make the request yourself, it is done online on the website of theTWO: titleContent.
The online service is accessible with FranceConnect or with your ANTS IDs, in French only.
If you don't have an ANTS ID, you can create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.
You need the following documents in a photographed or scanned version:
- Certificate of identity
- Proof of domicile
- 1 digital photo signature
- If you are under 21, copy ofASSR: titleContent 2nd level orASR: titleContent, or failing (e.g. in case of loss) statement on honour
- If necessary, medical advice (form cerfa 14880)
- For 1re application for a permit, if you are french, 17 years of age or older, but not older than 25 years, individual certificate of participation in the defence and citizenship day (JDC) or an individual certificate of exemption, or a certificate of status vis-à-vis the national service, or a provisional certificate of status vis-à-vis the national service
- 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...)
Steps to follow ::
1/ Sign in or create an account TWO: titleContent
2/ Click on "New request"
3/ Choose the reason for your application "I request the production of a driving licence"
3/ Complete the entries and add the requested supporting documents
4/ Confirm approach
Online application for a driving licence following passing an examination
Please note
if it's your 1to driver's licence, it is probationary permit. You must affix the "A" sign on the back of your vehicle.
Adding Category B to your licence
If you already have a driving licence (motorcycle A, A1 or A2), you must add category B on your licence.
You can follow the production and sending of your driving licence online.
The online service is accessible via FranceConnect or with your ID TWO: titleContent , in French only
If you don't have an ANTS ID, you can create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.
Once connected to your space TWO: titleContent, you view your request in the dashboard.
Driver's licence: keep track of the progress of your application to drive
Shipping driver's licence is Expert Letter
This is a secure shipment, with hand-over against signature.
- The address that you specify during the online procedure must be the fullest possible
(building number, flat number, mailbox number, floor, corridor, staircase, "resident",...) - Your mailbox shall submit first name of the person receiving the mail.
If you are absent when passing the factor, you must go to the Post Office in 15 days with your notice of passage or with the number of the Expert Letter.
If you could not go to the Post Office within 15 days, you have nothing to do.
Your permit will be sent to you.
In other cases, contactTWO: titleContent via the contact form:
Who shall I contact
By Email
Access to contact form
By phone
34 00
Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 7pm and Saturday from 8am to 5pm. Cost of a local call
09 70 83 07 07 from overseas and the foreigner
The validity of a driving licence (driving licence) format credit card is 15 years.
At the end of this period, renewal is a simple administrative process: there is no driving test or medical check to pass.
However, the period of validity of the title may be reduced for health reasons.
The effective date the title shall be indicated at front, line 4b.
The date of validity of certificate should not be confused with the validity of your licence categories.
Thus, even if your licence is valid for only 15 years, your licence category remains valid for life (except individual restrictions).
The dates on which the categories licences shall be back of the permit columns 10 and 11.
In image
Decrypt driver's licence
Driver's licence: register online for the exam (NEPH number assignment)
RdvPermit: Book a place online for the practical driving test
Know and download the results of the driving test
Online application for a driving licence following passing an examination
Driver's licence: keep track of the progress of your application to drive
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- School of Driving (self-school, association)
By Email
Access to contact form
By phone
34 00
Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 7pm and Saturday from 8am to 5pm. Cost of a local call
09 70 83 07 07 from overseas and the foreigner
- Digital Home
- Route Code: sections R221-4 to R221-8Issuance and Categories
- Decree No. 2020-142 of 20 February 2020 defining the standard contract for the teaching of driving
- Order of 27 April 2021 concerning the progressive generalisation of a system of nominative reservation of seats for the practical test of the examination of the driving licence A1, A2, B1 and B
- Decision of 29 May 2020 defining the model driving contract for category B of the driving licence
- Order of 13 February 2020 on the testing of the nominative allocation of places for practical examinations of driving licences
- Decree of 23 December 2016 on the justification of identity, domicile, normal residence and the regularity of the stay in order to obtain a driving licence
- Order of 29 July 2013 concerning the learning booklet for category B of the driving licence
- Order of 26 April 2013 concerning the notification of the results of driving licence examinations
- Order of 20 April 2012 laying down the conditions for the establishment, issue and validity of the driving licence
- Order of 17 December 2010 concerning the requirements for driving light motorcycles and vehicles of category L5e by holders of category B of the driving licence
- Order of 19 February 2010 concerning the practical test for the examination of driving licence B and B1
- Decision of 22 December 2009 on the training of motor vehicles of category B in an approved educational institution
- Circular of 27 May 2013 on the notification of the results of driving licence examinations (PDF - 1.9 MB)
- Ministerial Response of 6 October 2020 on Qualifying Training for Driving a Car Equipped with a Manual Gearbox
- Ministerial Response of 22 December 2020 on the teaching of driving
- Driver's licence: find a school near you
Search tools
- Driver's licence: register online for the exam (NEPH number assignment)
Online service
- RdvPermit: Book a place online for the practical driving test
Online service
- Know and download the results of the driving test
Online service
- Online application for a driving licence following passing an examination
Online service
- Driver's Licence - Medical Notice
Form
- Driver's licence: keep track of the progress of your application to drive
Online service
FAQ
- How do I get a driver's licence when I have a disability?
- Which vehicles can be driven with the B licence?
- Driver's licence: how to pass the code (common theoretical test or GSS)?
- What do the codes added to Licence B mean?
- Which licence for which category of vehicles?
- Which vehicles can be driven without a driver's licence?
- How long is a driver's licence valid for?
- Traffic offencesService-Public.fr
- Driving in France with a foreigner licenceService-Public.fr
- Driving abroadService-Public.fr
- Driver’s Licence: Early Learning (ATC) from age 15Service-Public.fr
- Driving licence: supervised driving from the age of 18Service-Public.fr
- Driver’s licence: supervised driving (road professions)Service-Public.fr
- Category B driving licence as a free candidateService-Public.fr
- BE driver’s licence: car with trailer of more than 750 kgService-Public.fr
- Declaration of Honour to Obtain a 1st Driving Licence (PDF - 78.2 KB)National Secured Securities Agency (ANTS)
- Make an appointment online for the practical driving testMinistry of the Interior
- Model contract for the teaching of drivingLegifrance
- Model contract for the teaching of driving for licence BLegifrance
