Getting a driver's license with a disability

Verified 18 March 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You have a disability and you wonder if you can get a driver's license? We present you the information to know and the steps to do.

This page concerns the light group non-professional licenses : B , BE, B1, A1, A2, A. Other rules apply to heavy unit licenses (C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1, D1E).

Warning

A person with a disability can start or resume driving. However, every driver of a vehicle shall be in a constant state and in a position to carry out all maneuvers required of him conveniently and without delay.

You must be recognized as medically fit to drive by a doctor approved at a medical examination. One booklet identifies medical conditions that are compatible with driving, and those that are temporarily or permanently incompatible with driving.

Also you must meet the requirements for the category of license you wish to issue. For example, for the B-permit, you can register for the exam from the age of 16 (or 15 if you choose early learning of driving). You must be 17 years old to obtain the B license.

Before preparing and issuing the driving license, you can contact the disability correspondent of your department’s road education office (BER). According to the departments, the Road Education Office (BER) is attached to the Prefecture or the Departmental Direction of the Territory (DDT).

One date shall be fixed for organize the theoretical (code) and practical (conduct) tests according to your disability.

In particular, the BER will provide you with the following information:

Whether you can register for a driving license with or without medical examination by an approved doctor
The list of driving schools that could be adapted according to your disability
The steps to be taken to pass the theoretical (code) and practical (conduct) tests.

FYI

The assessment of driving ability is the same for all candidates. The arrangements for the tests for the examination of the driving license are only material (communication procedures, equipped vehicle, etc.).

The layout of the theoretical (code) and practical (driving) tests of the license depends on the disability situation.

You are deaf or hard of hearing

Passage of the theoretical test

Specialized sessions are scheduled each year to take the general theoretical test (code) of the driving license. A sign language interpreter can assist you. You can also benefit from a suitable communication device of your choice.

The theoretical test (code) lasts 1h30.

Passage of the practical test

The practical test can be adapted according to your needs, for example with a specific communication device.

You have a physical disability (reduced mobility)

Passage of the theoretical test

If your physical disability makes it impossible for you to take part in a session in a recognized organization, special sessions are organized every year to pass the general theoretical test (code) of the driving license.

Passage of the practical test

If you are licensed to drive a specially equipped vehicle that takes into account your physical disability, the expert checks that the vehicle's fittings are suitable. During the test, the expert shall check that the vehicle arrangements are used efficiently.

The inspector may suggest that you begin the examination with questions and technical checks on the exterior of the vehicle. You may be assisted by an expert or an accompanying person.

The driving school provides the dual control category B vehicle adapted to your disability (you can also provide it if you wish).

This vehicle shall meet the following conditions:

To have been put into circulation for a maximum of 16 years, except in exceptional cases
Have specific equipment according to your disability: double brake control, additional mirrors outside and inside if the vehicle allows it, double steering control (steering wheel).

You have a speech or learning disorder (dys disorder)

Passage of the theoretical test

In case of dys disorder, you can pass the code in specific sessions provided you provide one of the 3 vouchers following:

Quality recognition of disabled workers (RQTH) or recognition of disability obtained from the departmental home for disabled people (MDPH) and a diagnosis of dyslexia and/or dysphasia and/or dyspraxia
Recognition of accommodations in national examinations of national education for written language, oral and/or written language learning disorders and/or the acquisition of coordination
Medical certificate issued for less than 6 months attesting to a specific disorder of language and/or reading and/or acquisition of coordination and requiring adjustment of the conditions for passing the general theoretical test.

Passage of the practical test

The practical test can be adapted according to your needs, for example with a specific communication device.

You're in a different situation

The road education office of each department organizes specialized sessions for the passing of the theoretical (code) and practical (driving) tests, taking into account the different situations of disability.

FYI

If you have a poor command of French, you can call on a translator-interpreter certified by a court of appeal, at your expense. Indicate in your application for a driving license that you have a poor command of French.

An online service is available to find a driving school suitable for learning to drive with a disability.

People with disabilities: finding a suitable driving school

Driving licenses shall be issued on the basis of a favorable medical opinion.

If the disability is not stabilized pitch, the period of validity of the permit is limited. You have to go through a medical examination at the end of that period.

If the disability is stabilized, the period of validity of the license depends on the category of permit. It can be permanent for a non-professional light group license: B , BE, B1, A1, A2, A.

FYI

Any facilities that allow driving are indicated on the permit in codified form.

People with disabilities: finding a suitable driving school

On the same subject

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

To contact the disability correspondent of the office of road education (BER). Attention, according to the departments, the BER is attached to the prefecture or DDT
Departmental management in charge of territories (DDT or DDTM)
To contact the disability correspondent of the office of road education (BER). Attention, according to the departments, the BER is attached to the prefecture or DDT
Prefecture

Highway Code: Articles R221-3-1 to R221-3-3
Organization of tests
Highway Code: Articles R221-9 to R221-13
Validity of the permit (Articles R221-10 to R221-13)
Highway Code: Articles R412-6 to R412-16
Obligations of the driver (Article R412-6)
Order of 28 March 2022 listing medical conditions incompatible or compatible with the obtaining or maintenance of a driving license or which may result in limited validity
Order of 20 April 2012 laying down the conditions for the issue, issue and validity of driving licenses
Order of 19 February 2010 on the practical test of driving license B and B1

People with disabilities: finding a suitable driving school
Search tools

FAQ

Driving license
Service-Public.fr
Traffic offenses
Service-Public.fr
Motor insurance (vehicle)
Service-Public.fr
Driving licenses: disability-related regulations
Ministry of the Interior
Memento for the physician of a driver patient
Ministry of the Interior
Driving licenses: additional information in codes
Legifrance
Driving and disability
Ministry of the Interior
The website of the Disability Mobility Resource and Innovation Center (CEREMH)
Mobility Disability Resource and Innovation Center
Road Safety Site
Ministry of the Interior

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Getting a driver's license with a disability

You are deaf or hard of hearing

Passage of the theoretical test

Passage of the practical test

You have a physical disability (reduced mobility)

Passage of the theoretical test

Passage of the practical test

You have a speech or learning disorder (dys disorder)

Passage of the theoretical test

Passage of the practical test

You're in a different situation

On the same subject

Who can help me?

FAQ

Recevoir la lettre de Service-Public.fr

Getting a driver's license with a disability

What are the conditions for obtaining a driver's license with a disability?

Who should I contact to prepare and issue a driving license for people with disabilities?

Where to find a disability-friendly driving school to prepare for the license exam?

What is the period of validity of the driving license if you have certain disabilities?

On the same subject

Who can help me?

Statute and miscellaneous references

Online services and forms

FAQ

Additional topics