Compulsory medical check-up for a professional driving license
Verified 24 February 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
You wonder when to spend a medical examination (medical examination) for renew your professional driving license ? We tell you what information to know and what steps to take.
You must undergo a medical examination to obtain or renew the following licenses:
- A Permit used for a passenger transport activity
- B Permit used for the following activities: taxi, private car with driver (VTC) ambulance, school pick-up, public passenger transport.
- Permit C and C1 (heavy goods vehicle)
- D Permit and D1 (public transit)
- EC Permit, C1E, FROM and D1E (certain vehicles with trailers).
Step-by-step approach
The time required to complete the medical examination and renew your license depends on your age and license category.
Age | Permits A, B, C, CE, C1, C1E | Permits D, DE, D1, D1E |
|---|---|---|
Under 55 | 5 years | 5 years |
55 to 60 years | 5 years or until the anniversary date of 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 | 1 year |
Over 76 years | 1 year | 1 year |
Your permit is not canceled if the deadline for the check has passed but the license is no longer valid. You must therefore pass the medical examination on time.
You must speak to a certified city doctor by the prefect of your department.
This doctor should not be your doctor.
You can consult the list of approved doctors on prefectural websites. The list of accredited doctors is also available in the prefectures, sub-prefectures and in the town halls of certain municipalities.
FYI
You can take the medical examination with a doctor registered in a department other than your residence. In this case, it is prudent to attach to your file the explanation of the use of a doctor other than that of your department of residence.
General case
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
In Paris
You must prepare the following documents:
- Medical opinion form cerfa no. 14880. You must pre-fill it before the medical examination.
- Questionnaire about your health status. You can download the order of 28 March 2022 which contains this questionnaire in Annex III (page 44)). You must pre-fill it before the medical examination.
- Identity document in original
- Original driver's license
- All the elements you consider useful concerning your health.
The doctor should check your physical fitness, cognitive and sensory to drive.
If you have not already completed the questionnaire regarding your health condition, the doctor has you fill it out.
He is reviewing your file and carrying out the medical examination.
The doctor may do the following:
- Prescribe additional tests
- Seeking the advice of skilled health care practitioners
- Request a driving test.
If necessary, ask your prefecture to make these steps.
General case
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
In Paris
Medical screening costs €36.
The Health Insurance (Social Security) does not cover the costs of the medical examination, nor any additional examinations.
The doctor will give you the original of the medical opinion.
The doctor shall deliver the opinion "fit". This means that your health is compatible with driving.
Warning
The "fit" medical opinion does not allow you to drive until the prefect has made a decision. However, you can drive if your license is still valid at the time of the medical examination. In case of a police check, present your driver's license and medical opinion.
The medical opinion has a valid for 2 years.
The license renewal application is available online on the website of theANTSANTS : National Securities Agency. Attach the medical opinion other documents requested.
The application to renew your license is made online on the website of theANTSANTS : National Securities Agency.
You must attach the digitized version of the physician's opinion to the supporting documents requested.
Apply online for a new driving license in case of expiry
An online service allows track your driver's license application.
Track the progress of a driving license application
Please note
The prefect is not obliged to follow the medical advice. He can make an unfavorable decision.
The doctor will give you the original of the medical opinion.
The doctor gives one of the following 3 opinions:
- Unfit. This means that your health condition is incompatible with driving.
- Temporary aptitude. The doctor specifies the duration, ranging from 6 months to 5 years.
- Suitable with restrictions. The doctor specifies what arrangements or equipment are needed.
You receive a letter informing you that you can make submissions.
At the end of the deadline for your comments, the prefect you notify by letter its decision : unfitness, temporary fitness or restricted ability. The letter specifies the remedies and time-limits for appeals.
You can appeal to the medical appeal board. However, you must respect the decision of the prefect even if you do appeal.
The committee examines you, consults the authorized doctor if necessary and sends its opinion to the prefect.
If the prefect again makes an unfavorable decision, you can request a new medical examination within 6 months of this decision. You can also make a appeal to the administrative court.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Citizens Contact Center - Driving license
Online Contact Form
Access to contact form
By telephone
34,00 (no surtax)
09 70 83 07 07 from overseas and foreigner
Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Prohibition of issuance, detention, suspension and cancelation.
Issuance of driving licenses
Categories of driving licenses subject to medical opinion (Article R221-10), frequency of checks (Article R221-11)
Organization of medical checks on driving ability
Obligations of the driver (Article R412-6)
FAQ
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Ministry of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior