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Driving: which formula to choose?

Verified 18 October 2021 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

Do you want to have a driving experience before taking the driver's licence, but you don't know which driving formula to choose? This page compares the 3 formulas to help you determine which one best fits your situation.

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Driving formulas: early, supervised and supervised
Comparison of the 3 driving formulas: early, supervised and supervised - Driving formulas: early, supervised and supervised - plus de détails dans le texte suivant l’infographie

Driving formulas: early, supervised and supervised

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Driving formulas: early, supervised and supervised - plus de détails dans le texte suivant l’infographie
Crédits: Service Public (DILA)Infographie - Driving formulas: early, supervised and supervised

There are 3 driving formulas: anticipated, supervised and supervised.

They can be compared according to the following criteria.

1) Age

- 15 years for early driving

- 18 years for supervised driving

- 16 years for supervised driving

2) The permit that can be prepared

- Licence B for early driving and supervised driving

- Licence B or a Heavy Lorry Licence for Framed Driving

3) Conditions of access

- For accompanied driving: have obtained the certificate of completion of initial training at the school (pass code + 20 hours driving)

- For supervised driving: either prior to the examination of the permit, have obtained the certificate of completion of initial training at the driving school (pass code + driving hours); either after the licence examination, in the event of failure, have validated pre-defined competencies during the examination

- For accompanied driving: undergo vocational training including a driving licence and have obtained the certificate of the head of the establishment of this training

4) The conditions to be fulfilled by the attendant

For the 3 accompanied driving formulas, the attendant must have been licenced B for 5 years or more without interruption and must have the agreement of his car insurance for the driving of the vehicle(s) used during the accompanied driving.

5) The rules to be observed during accompanied driving

For the 3 accompanied driving formulas, you must drive only in France, respect specific speed limits and put on the vehicle a "accompanied driving" sticker.

You must also participate in educational VRs: 3 for accompanied driving, 1 for supervised driving, 2 for framed driving.

For early driving only, you must drive for a minimum of 1 year and drive for a minimum of 1,800 mi.

6) The manner in which the accompanied conduct ends

- for early driving: passage of the permit from 17 years and issue from 18 years. The probationary licence is reduced

(2 years instead of 3)

- for supervised driving: pass the permit as soon as you are ready. The probationary licence lasts 3 years.

- for framed driving: 18 years of age. The probationary licence lasts 3 years.

Early Learning to Drive (CAA) is possible from the age of 15 years.

Learning includes:

  • 1mother initial training phase provided by the car school (driving code + minimum 20 hours of driving time)
  • and 2nde a minimum of 1 year driving with an attendant.

At the end of this period, you can introduce yourself from the age of 17 years the practical test of the driving licence.

If you choose CAA, you cannot pass the permit as a free candidate. CAA requires enrolment in a car school.

The duration trial permit is 2 years in case of early learning of driving, instead of 3 years.

Please note

if you're under 21, ASSR 2 is required to get a 1to driving licence. If you cannot have ASSR2, you must get road safety certificate (ASR). For example, if you did not go to school in France.

Framed driving for young people 16 to 18 years who are preparing a professional diploma leading to the professions of the road.

The diploma must be validated by the Ministry of National Education or Labour.

For example, BEP or CAP of driver.

After you have passed the driving test as part of your professional diploma, you can drive with an accompanying person until you are 18.

Please note

if you're under 21, ASSR 2 is required to get a 1to driving licence. If you cannot have ASSR2, you must get road safety certificate (ASR). For example, if you did not go to school in France.

Supervised Driving Learning is possible from the age of 18 years.

Learning includes:

  • 1re initial training phase provided by the car school (driving code + minimum 20 hours of driving time)
  • and 2nde supervised driving phase with an attendant.

You can choose the supervised driving phase after initial training or after you have failed the practical test of the licence examination.

If you choose supervised driving, you cannot pass the licence as a free candidate. Supervised driving requires enrolment in a car school.

Please note

if you're under 21, ASSR 2 is required to get a 1to driving licence. If you cannot have ASSR2, you must get road safety certificate (ASR). For example, if you did not go to school in France.

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