Can you drive in France with an overseas license?
Verified 31 August 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
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Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion, Saint Pierre and Miquelon
You can drive in mainland France with your license obtained in Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion, or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.
Your driver's license must be valid.
French Polynesia, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Wallis Islands and Futuna, New Caledonia
What license to drive in the metropolis?
The following licenses, valid, allow you to drive in the metropolis:
- Permit obtained directly in a Com or in New Caledonia, without an exchange procedure
- Permit issued in a Com or New Caledonia, in exchange for a permit European
- Permit issued in a Com or New Caledonia, in exchange for a non-European license with which France practices the reciprocal exchange of permits.
For example, a permit issued in New Caledonia in exchange for a New Zealand permit.
Which permit is to be exchanged?
Your driving license issued in a Com or in New Caledonia must be exchanged for a metropolitan permit in 3 cases following:
- The validity of your permit has taken fine-minded
- You're asking for a new category permit (extension)
- You reside in the metropolis and have committed a traffic violation leading to suspension measure or indentation of points
How do I request the exchange?
The request for an exchange of driving licenses is made online on the websiteANTS: titleContent.
Exchange a foreigners license or a license obtained in a COM for a French license
What documents should be provided?
You need the following documents, photographed or scanned.
However, additional documents may be requested depending on your situation.
If you are French:
- Two-sided color image of the original driving license
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- Digital photo-signature
If you do not have access to a photo and digital signature service, you are invited to fill in and mail a photo-signature form (FPS) during the teleprocedure. - Certificate of driving rights of less than 6 months issued by the authorities of the community which issued the driving license.
This document is used to verify that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled. - If you have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories
- If your license has been canceled or suspended, decision of cancelation or suspension + letter informing of the obligation of exchange sent by the prefecture + medical opinion
If you are European :
- Two-sided color image of the original driving license
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- Digital photo-signature
If you do not have access to a photo and digital signature service, you are invited to fill in and mail a photo-signature form (FPS) during the teleprocedure. - Certificate of driving rights of less than 6 months issued by the authorities of the community which issued the driving license.
This document is used to verify that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled. - Supporting Document(s) normal residence in France at the date of the application (at least 185 days with personal and/or professional ties).
For example, tax/non-tax notice, employment contract, social security certificate... - If you have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories
- If your license has been canceled or suspended, decision of cancelation or suspension + letter informing of the obligation of exchange sent by the prefecture + medical opinion
If you are a national of another State :
- Two-sided color image of the original driving license
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- Digital photo-signature
If you do not have access to a photo and digital signature service, you are invited to fill in and mail a photo-signature form (FPS) during the teleprocedure. - Proof(s) of regularity of the stay in France (residence permit or Ofii sticker on your passport)
- Certificate of driving rights of less than 6 months issued by the authorities of the community which issued the driving license.
This document is used to verify that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled. - If you have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories
- If your license has been canceled or suspended, decision of cancelation or suspension + letter informing of the obligation of exchange sent by the prefecture + medical opinion
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
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
FAQ
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs