Can you drive in France with an expired foreigners license?
Verified 17 August 2021 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
No, your driver's license must be valid.
It is forbidden to drive in France with an expired foreigners driving license.
Your foreigners driving license is recognized in France if the 2 conditions the following are completed:
- Your permit is valid
- You have your rights to drive. This means that you must not have been punished by a suspension, restriction or cancelation of your right to drive in the country of issue of the license.
In addition, a unlicensed European is recognized in France for a limited period : 1 year from the acquisition of the normal residence in France.
FYI
if you have requested the exchange of your license European or from another countryYes, you have been given a Secure Deposit Certificate (ADS). This certificate allows you to drive while waiting to receive your French license within the period of recognition of your foreigner permit.
- Highway Code: Articles R222-1 to R222-8Recognition of foreigners driving licenses in France
- Order of 8 February 1999 laying down the conditions for the recognition and exchange of driving licenses issued by EU and EEA States
- Order of 12 January 2012 laying down the conditions for the recognition and exchange of driving licenses issued by States outside the European Economic Area
- Circular of 3 August 2012 on the conditions for recognition and exchange of driving licenses issued by non-EEA countries (PDF - 272.8 KB)
FAQ
- Driving licenseService-Public.fr
- Driving in France with a license issued in Europe (EEA)Service-Public.fr
- Driving in France with a license from another country (short stay, studies)Service-Public.fr
- Exchange of a driving license obtained in Europe (EEA)Service-Public.fr
- Exchange of a driving license obtained in another country (durable installation)Service-Public.fr