EC permit: vehicle over 3.5 tons with trailer over 750 kg
Verified 01 March 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Which vehicles can be driven with the EC permit ? What's the minimum age? How to register, take exams (code and conduct) and apply for a permit? We tell you the steps to follow to pass the CE permit.
Step-by-step approach
The EC license allows you to drive a vehicle with 4 features following:
- Used for the transport of goods or equipment
- PTAC more than 3,5 tons (without upper limit),
- Maximum 9 seating positions (driver included)
- PTAC of trailer greater than 750 kg (or semi-trailer)
Age
You must have at least 21 years unless you are taking professional training as a driver (CAP, Bac pro, professional title, Fimo: titleContent).
Required prerequisite category
You must have license C in order to be able to issue the EC permit.
Citizenship - Nationality
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You're French
If you are under 25 years of age, you must be in compliance with the obligations of the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC).
You're European
If you are a Swiss, Andorran, Monegasque or national of the European Economic Area (EEA), you must have had your personal and/or professional ties for at least 6 months in France.
You're a foreigner
You must have lived in France for at least 6 months and have a valid residence permit.
Health status
You have to make a medical examination before taking the EC permit tests.
Through a training center
At your request, your driving school will take care of your registration for the examination of the license.
However, you must activate yourself the account created in your name on the websiteANTS: titleContent. You receive an email to activate the account.
The file should include the following documents in photographic or digitized version :
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile
- 1 digital photo-signature
- Medical advice (form) cerfa no. 14880)
- Category C driving license (+ if necessary, a copy of the diploma, certificate, certificate or professional title certifying completion of a driver's training)
- If you are French, aged from 17 years to 25 years, individual certificate of participation in the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC) or individual exemption certificate, or national service status certificate, or provisional national service status certificate
- If you are a foreigner, proof of regularity of the stay or, if you are exempt from a residence permit, proof of your presence in France for at least 6 months (payroll, rent receipt...)
By yourself
You can choose to register yourself for the license.
The on-line service is accessible with FranceConnect or with your identifiers ANTS: titleContent.
If you do not have ANTS credentials, it is proposed to create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.
Prepare the following documents in photographic or digitized version :
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile
- 1 digital photo-signature
- Medical advice (form) cerfa no. 14880)
- Your category C driving license (+ if necessary, a copy of the diploma, certificate, certificate or professional title certifying completion of a driver's training by road)
- If you are French, aged from 17 years to 25 years, individual certificate of participation in the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC) or individual exemption certificate, or national service status certificate, or provisional national service status certificate
- If you are a foreigner, proof of regularity of the 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 license: register online for the exam (NEPH number assignment)
You can pass the code (ETG) via a driving school or as a free candidate.
To be exempt from passing the code, you must complete at least one of the following conditions :
- Have obtained a favorable result for the theoretical test (code) for a maximum of 5 years
- Have had a license category for 5 years or less, except AM category
- Have a French driving license obtained by exchange (code 70) for 5 years or less
The following letters shall follow code 70: 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).
The code waiver may be granted if you submit one of the following documents:
- Valid driving license
- Certificate of temporary examination of the driving license, paper or dematerialized, valid (maximum 4 months)
Warning
Since 2021, categories A1 or A2 no longer allow for a code exemption (general theoretical test or ETG).
The driving school must offer you a standard driving education contract.
That contract shall specify in particular the program and the course of training, on price training and administrative services, obligations of each, the means of payment.
Accompanying Person
An accompanying person must be present throughout the tests.
Non-circulation test (HC)
The objective of the HC test is to check your knowledge in particular as regards transport regulations and loading safety and mechanics.
It includes multiple exercises : written and oral queries, tests on routine safety checks, maneuverability exercises.
To be admitted, you must get more than 24 points, not have a playoff score and have a result favorable to the maneuverability exercise.
You retain the benefit of the HC test for 3 circulating tests (CIRs) for a maximum of 1 year from the successful completion of the HC test provided that the theoretical test is validated.
Test in circulation (CIR)
The CIR test takes place on varied routes.
The following competencies are assessed :
- Know how to settle and ensure safety on board
- Autonomy and awareness of risk
- Know and use commands
- Take the information
- Adapting its pace to circumstances
- Enforce regulation
- Communicate with other users
- Share Pavement
- Maintaining safe spaces
To be accepted in the CIR test, you must obtain at least 17 points and do not make a eliminatory error.
FYI
the driving schools driver's license preparation BE, C1, C, C1E, CE, D1, D, D1E and DE may reserve seats for the practical test on-site pro.permisdeconduit.gouv.fr.
After the practical test, the inspector does not give you the result orally.
You must consult the results online on the Road Safety website 48 hours after examination.
To know and download the results of the driving license examination
If the result is favorable, you can download your Driver's License Examination Certificate (CRC).
This certificate, accompanied by an identity document, serves as a driver's license for 4 months from the day of the examination.
In case of law enforcement control, you can present the CEPC in hard copy or directly on a smartphone or tablet.
The CRC does not allow driving abroad.
FYI
if you fail a driving test, you cannot take the next test before a period of 2 days (date to date).
You must ask as soon as possible a new permit which incorporates the new category obtained.
Indeed, the Driver's License Examination Certificate (CRC) allow for 4 months driving a new category of vehicle.
The driving license application is done online on the websiteANTS: titleContent.
The period of validity of the EC category of the license depends on your age:
Driver age | Period of validity |
|---|---|
Under 55 | 5 years |
55 to 60 years | 5 years or until the anniversary date of 60 years |
60 to 76 years | 2 years or until the 76 year anniversary date |
Over 76 years | 1 year |
Warning
you must pass a medical examination before applying for your license renewal.
The application for renewal is made online on theANTS: titleContent before the end of the period of validity of the driving license.
On-line application for a driving license in case of expiry
You can follow online the manufacture and sending of your driving license.
The online service is accessible via FranceConnect or with your credentials ANTS: titleContent , in French only.
If you do not have ANTS credentials, it is proposed to create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.
Once connected to your space ANTS: titleContent, you view your request in the dashboard.
Track the progress of your driving license application
Driver's license: register online for the exam (NEPH number assignment)
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- Licensed driving school (driving school, association)
- National Agency for Secure Titles (ANTS) - Driving license
By E-mail
Access to contact form
By telephone
34,00
Monday to Friday from 7:45 am to 7 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm. Cost of a local call
09 70 83 07 07 from the Overseas foreigner
- Digital Welcome Point
- Highway Code: Articles R221-4 to R221-8Issuance and categories
- Highway Code: Articles R221-9 to R221-13Proficiency check
- Highway Code: Articles R226-1 to R226-4Organization of medical checks on driving ability
- Decree n°2020-142 of 20 February 2020 defining the model driving education contract
- Order of 25 April 2022 on the gradual generalization of a system of allocation of places for the practical test of driving licenses BE, C1, C, C1E, CE, D1, D, D1E and DE
- Order of 22 October 2014 laying down the national method for allocating driving license examination places
- Order of 12 May 2014 concerning the learning booklet of categories C1, C1E, C, EC of the driving license
- Order of 26 April 2013 on the notification of the results of driving license examinations
- Order of 31 July 2012 on the organization of the medical examination of driving ability
- Order of 23 April 2012 concerning the examination of driving licenses of categories BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE
- Order of 20 April 2012 laying down the conditions for the issue, issue and validity of driving licenses
- Circular of 3 August 2012 on the organization of medical checks on drivers' fitness to drive
- Driving license: find a certified school near you
Search tools
- Driver's license: register online for the exam (NEPH number assignment)
Online service
- Driver's license - Medical opinion
Form
- To know and download the results of the driving license examination
Online service
- Online application for a driving license following the passing of an examination
Online service
- Track the progress of your driving license application
Online service
- On-line application for a driving license in case of expiry
Online service
FAQ
- How do I get a driver's license when I have a disability?
- Which license for which category of vehicles?
- How do I get a new category added to your driver's license?
- Application for a driving license: what ID can be presented?
- Application for a driving license: what proof of residence?
- Driving license: how to pass the code (common theoretical test or ETG)?
- How do I know the status of my driver's license application?
- Category C heavy goods vehicle license: more than 3,5 tonsService-Public.fr
- C1 license: vehicle between 3,5 and 7,5 tonsService-Public.fr
- C1E license: vehicle between 3.5 and 7.5 tons with trailer over 750 kgService-Public.fr
- Permit D: passenger transport - more than 8 passengersService-Public.fr
- PERMIT FOR: carriage of passengers + 8 passengers and trailer of + 750 kgService-Public.fr
- D1 license: carriage of 16 passengers and length of 8 metersService-Public.fr
- D1E license: passenger transport - 16 passengers and trailer of + 750 kgService-Public.fr
- Professional driving license: compulsory medical checkService-Public.fr
- Model Driving Education ContractLegifrance