Exchange of driving licenses obtained outside Europe (EU/EEA) - installation in France

Verified 06 August 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You settle in France and you wonder if you can driving with your foreigner license ? A driving license issued by a non-EU country European (with the exception of a UK license issued before 2021) is valid for 1 year from the acquisition of the normal residence in France. The exchange for a French license is obligatory to be able to drive longer. This page tells you the rules to know and how to exchange your permit.

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You're a student

If you are a foreigner student and have a student residence permitNo, you didn't no need to ask for the exchange your driver's license.

You can driving in France with your non-European driving license during your studies.

You're in a different situation

You have a British driving license
Permit issued before 2021

You have no no need to ask for the exchange of your British license against a French license.

Your British license is recognized in France as long as it is valid.

Exchanging your UK license issued before 2021 for a French license is mandatory only in the following cases:

  • Your license is no longer valid
  • You are applying for a new license category (extension)
  • You commit a traffic violation in France resulting in a loss of points, restriction, suspension, or cancelation of your license
  • Your license has been stolen
  • You lost your license
  • Your license is damaged.
Permit issued in 2021 and beyond

You must request exchange of your British license against a French license.

You're in a different situation

You need to request the exchange of your driving license noEuropean against a French license if you settle in France.

Indeed, a permit issued by a non-European country is valid for 1 year only from the acquisition of the normal residence in France.

FYI  

The approach is different if you are back in France after an expatriation and you want to get your French driving license back. In this case, you must request the restoration of your rights to drive french.

One simulator indicates countries outside Europe (EU/EEA) whose national driving licenses can be exchanged for a French license.

Check whether a non-European driving license (EU/EEA) is exchangeable for a French license

Your foreigner driving license must complete the following conditions :

If these conditions are not met, you must take the driving license examination in France.

FYI  

It is not possible to obtain the motorcycle A license by exchange. One A2 motorcycle license is issued to you and you will need to undergo training after 2 years to obtain the A license.

You must meet the following conditions:

  • Have the minimum age to drive in France vehicles of the equivalent category of your license
  • Have your normal residence in France
  • Have a valid residence permit if you are neither European nor French
  • Passing the license exam when you had your normal residence in the country where the license was issued
  • Follow any medical prescriptions noted on your license. For example, eyeglasses are mandatory.
  • To have passed, if necessary, a medical examination for fitness to drive. For example, if your health condition involves a restriction on the validity of the license.
  • Not to have been sanctioned by a suspension, withdrawal or cancelation of your right to drive in the country of issue of the license
  • Not to have been sanctioned in France, before having obtained a driving license in another country, by a cancelation or a invalidation your right to drive.

The time taken to request the exchange of permits varies depending on whether you are a French national of a country European or another country.

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You are a foreigner (regular first come)

Foreign person who has arrived in France legally and for the first time in order to stay there permanently

Foreign person who has arrived in France legally and for the first time in order to stay there permanently

You have a 1-year period from the acquisition of your normal residence in France to request the exchange of the driving license obtained abroad (except EEE).

If you have a 1st residence permit

You must request the exchange of your license less than 1 year after the date of delivery of your security.

Please note

The 1-year period shall not run from the renewal of a residence permit or from the change of status for the right of residence. For example, 1re permanent resident card or residence permit following a 1er The residence permit does not allow a new application for an exchange of driving license.

If you have a long-stay visa as a residence permit

You must apply for the exchange of your license less than 1 year after one of the following 2 dates:

  • the date of validation of the visa by means of online service,
  • or the date of the sticker affixed by theOfii: titleContent on 1er long-stay visa as a residence permit.

Please note

The 1-year period shall not run from the renewal of a residence permit or from the change of status for the right of residence. For example, 1re permanent resident card or residence permit following a 1er The residence permit does not allow a new application for an exchange of driving license.

If you have a receipt recognizing international protection (Ofpra)

You need to request the exchange less than 1 year after the date of receipt application for a residence permit constituting a residence permit.

The residence permit serving as a residence permit must indicate one of the following:

  • ‘Recognized refugee’
  • Or ‘has been granted subsidiary protection’
  • Or “has applied for the issue of a first residence permit with stateless status”.

Please note

The 1-year period shall not run from the renewal of a residence permit or from the change of status for the right of residence. For example, 1re permanent resident card or residence permit following a 1er The residence permit does not allow a new application for an exchange of driving license.

You are European (EEA, Andorra, Monaco, Switzerland)

You must request the exchange of your license from 6e month of stay in France and before the 18the month.

You're French

You must request the exchange of your license less than 1 year after your establishment in France.

The application is made online on the website of theANTS: titleContent :

Exchange a foreigners license or a license obtained in a COM for a French license

You need the following documents, photographed or digitized.

However, the instructing department may request the originals if necessary.

In addition, additional documents can be requested depending on your situation.

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You're a foreigner

Prepare the following documents:

  • Two-sided color image of the original driving license
  • Translation of the driver's license if it is not written in French. The translation must be legalized or apostillate if it's done abroad. If carried out in France, it must be carried out by a authorized translator or by the embassy in France of the country which issued the permit.
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of domicile less than 6 months
  • Proof of regularity of residence in France (residence permit or Ofii sticker on your passport)
  • Photo code and digital 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 less than 6 months at the date of application. This document shall be issued by the foreign authorities which issued the driving license. It verifies that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled.
  • Translation of the certificate of driving rights, if not written in French, by a authorized translator in France.
  • If you are not a national of the country of issue of the permit, proof of normal residence in the foreigner country at the time of issue of the foreigner permit.
    For example, certification of registration and deregistration of consular registers, employment contract, pay slips, employment certificates.
  • 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.

All documents drawn up in a foreign language must be accompanied by their translation by a authorized translator.

You are an Internationally Protected foreigner (Ofpra)

You are in this situation if you are recognized as a refugee, granted subsidiary protection or if you are stateless.

Prepare the following documents:

  • Two-sided color image of the original driving license
  • Translation of the driver's license if it is not written in French.
    The translation must be legalized or apostillate if it's done abroad.
    If carried out in France, it must be carried out by a authorized translator or by the embassy in France of the country which issued the permit.
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of domicile less than 6 months
  • Proof of regularity of residence in France (residence permit or Ofii sticker on your passport)
  • Photo code and digital 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.
  • If you are not a national of the country of issue of the permit, proof of normal residence in the foreigner country at the time of issue of the foreigner permit. For example, certification of registration and deregistration of consular registers, employment contract, pay slips, employment certificates.
  • 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.

All documents drawn up in a foreign language must be accompanied by their translation by a authorized translator.

You're European

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

If you are European, prepare the following documents:

  • Two-sided color image of the original driving license
  • Translation of the driver's license if it is not written in French. The translation must be legalized or apostillate if it's done abroad. If carried out in France, it must be carried out by a authorized translator or by the embassy in France of the country which issued the permit.
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of domicile less than 6 months
  • Photo code and digital 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 on the date of the application. This document shall be issued by the foreign authorities which issued the driving license. It verifies that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled.
  • Translation of the certificate of driving rights, if not written in French, by a authorized translator in France
  • Entitlement of normal residence in France on the date of the application
  • Proof of arrival in France. For example, boarding ticket, social security membership.
  • If you are not a national of the country of issue of the permit, proof of normal residence in the foreigner at the time of issue of the foreigner permit. For example, certification of registration and deregistration of consular registers, employment contract, pay slips, certificates of employment...
  • 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.

All documents drawn up in a foreign language must be accompanied by their translation by a certified translator.

You're French

Prepare the following documents:

  • Two-sided color image of the original driving license
  • Translation of the driver's license if it is not written in French. The translation must be legalized or apostillate if it's done abroad. If carried out in France, it must be carried out by a authorized translator or by the embassy in France of the country which issued the permit.
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of domicile less than 6 months
  • Photo code and digital 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 on the date of the application. This document shall be issued by the foreign authorities which issued the driving license. It verifies that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled.
  • Translation of the certificate of driving rights, if not written in French, by a authorized translator in France
  • Proof of the date of return to France. For example, certificate of deregistration from consular registers, registration France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi), employment contract, social security certificate.
  • If you are not a national of the country of issue of the permit, proof of normal residence in the foreigner country at the time of issue of the foreigner permit. For example, certification of registration and deregistration of consular registers, employment contract, pay slips, employment certificates.
  • 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 French, aged from 17 years to 25 years, individual certificate of participation in the Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC), or individual exemption certificate, or national service status certificate, or provisional national service status certificate.

The approach is free.

While your application is being processed, you can drive because you keep your driver's license.

Depending on the complexity of your case, the investigation may take several months.

At the end of the training, your original foreigners driving license is required to check its authenticity (except in case of suspension or cancelation).

You are contacted by SMS and mail.

The email explains how send the original of your driving license in registered mail.

When the instructor service receives the moose of your license, you can download from the ANTS website one Secure Deposit Certificate (ADS).

ADS is valid 4 months.

This attestation will allows you to drive while waiting to receive your french license, within the period of recognition of your foreigner permit.

One on-line service allows you to follow manufacture and dispatch your driver's license.

Track the progress of a driving license application

The date of issue indicated on the permit is the date of issue of the French permit.

From that date, the license shall be valid 15 years.

However, the period of validity of the license is different in the following 2 cases:

  • In case of medical concern requiring restriction
  • For heavy categories whose validity is linked to the age of the driver. For example, 5 years for a driver under 55.

FYI  

the french license given to you is a probationary permit if the original permit is also valid.

Check whether a non-European driving license (EU/EEA) is exchangeable for a French license

Exchange a foreigners license or a license obtained in a COM for a French license

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