Can you drive in France with an overseas license?

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.

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