Loss of the French driving license
Verified 03 January 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
You have lost your French driving license ? We tell you how to apply for a new license depending on who you are in France or abroad.
You are in France
If you are in France when you lose your French driving license, the application for a new license is made online on the website of theANTSANTS : National Securities Agency.
Step-by-step approach
You can download a Secure Driving Rights Certificate (SDA) on-site My Points Allowed.
The ADCS makes it possible to to justify your driving rights.
ADCS is valid for 4 months as of its issue and can be reissued.
It is valid only in France.
In case of road traffic control, you can introduce it in paper or dematerialized form.
The process is being done online on the websiteANTSANTS : National Securities Agency.
Prepare the following for numeric format (scanned or photographed):
- Digital photo-signature
If you want to send a photo ID in paper format, it is proposed to download and send the photo signature deposit form (FPS) during the online procedure. - Entitlement of identity
- Entitlement of domicile less than 6 months
- If you are a foreigner: proof of your normal residence in France if you are a Swiss, Andorran, Monegasque or national European (EU/EEA), or proof of the regularity of your stay in France (residence permit) if you are a national of another State
- For a Class C or D license, medical opinion (form cerfa no. 14880)
If you do not provide medical advice, you will get a duplicate with the same validity period as the lost license. - Dematerialized tax stamp (€25).
Please enter your phone number to stay informed of the progress of your application and the dispatch of your driving license.
Apply online for a new driver's license in case of loss or theft
You are informed by email or SMS when your loss declaration has been studied.
If you have not downloadedADCSADCS : Secure Driving Rights Certificate, you can download a proof of loss in your personal area ANTS.
This certificate is valid for 2 months and allows you to drive while waiting for your new license to be sent.
If the validity of your license is limited for medical reasons, you receive a duplicate which resumes the same period of validity as the lost license.
Access your ANTS account to apply online for a driving license
One on-line service allows you to track your driver's license application.
Track the progress of a driving license application
You're abroad
If you are abroad when you lose your French driving license, the demand for a new license from that country varies if your normal residence is in France or abroad.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Your normal residence is in France
Your normal residence is in France if you are in one of the 2 situations following:
- You live in France 185 days or more per year (6 months) due to personal and/or professional ties
- Your personal attachments are located in France but you are abroad to pursue your studies, a training, one internship or for the execution of a fixed-term assignment.
If you are abroad as part of a Working Holiday programme (PVT), check with your embassy to find out if you have student or worker status.
You have a postal address in France
The application for a new driving license is made online on the website ofANTSANTS : National Securities Agency.
1. Download a secure certificate of driving rights (optional)
You can download a Secure Certificate of Driving Rights (ADCS) from the My Points Allowed.
The ADCS allows you to justify your driving rights.
The ADCS is valid for 4 months from its issue and can be reissued.
It is valid only in France.
In case of road traffic control in France, you can submit it in paper or dematerialized format.
2. Declare the loss of the driving license
You must file a loss declaration with the competent local authorities.
3. Have the declaration of loss endorsed by your consulate or embassy
You must then have the declaration or receipt stamped by your consulate or embassy.
The receipt is valid for 2 months for the French authorities but check with the local authorities if it allows you to drive.
Who shall I contact
4. Apply for a new driver's license
The process is done online on the website of theANTSANTS : National Securities Agency.
Prepare the following documents in digital format (scanned or photographed):
- Receipt of the declaration of loss made by the foreign authorities and endorsed by the competent consular or diplomatic post, and its translation into French by a certified translator
- Digital photo-signature
If you want to send a photo ID in paper format, it is proposed to download and send the photo signature deposit form (FPS) during the online procedure. - Entitlement of identity
- Entitlement of domicile less than 6 months
- If you are a foreigner: proof of your normal residence in France if you are a Swiss, Andorran, Monegasque or national European (EU/EEA), or proof of the regularity of your stay in France (residence permit) if you are a national of another State
- Proof of the right of residence in the country where you are established
- Justification for maintaining your normal residence in France: either a document certifying that you are pursuing studies, training, internship or a fixed-term assignment in that country, or a document certifying your residence in France for 185 days or more during the year preceding the receipt of your request by the instructor service. For example, a lease agreement, rent receipt, gas, electricity, or landline bills, a certificate of domicile issued by the energy supplier.
- For a Class C or D license, medical opinion (form cerfa no. 14880)
If you do not provide medical advice, you will get a duplicate with the same validity period as the lost license. - Dematerialized tax stamp (€25).
Enter your phone number to stay informed of the progress of your application and the shipment of your driving license.
Apply online for a new driver's license in case of loss or theft
5. Monitor the progress of the application for a driving license
One on-line service allows you to track your driver's license application.
Track the progress of a driving license application
You have a mailing address only abroad
The application for a new driving license is made online on the website ofANTSANTS : National Securities Agency.
The address of domicile to be declared on the ANT website is the address of residence at the time of issue of the driving license.
You can retrieve this information on the My Points Allowed site.
1. Download a secure certificate of driving rights (optional)
You can download a Secure Certificate of Driving Rights (ADCS) from the My Points Allowed.
The ADCS allows you to justify your driving rights.
The ADCS is valid for 4 months from its issue and can be reissued.
It is valid only in France.
In case of road traffic control in France, you can submit it in paper or dematerialized format.
2. Declare the loss of the driving license
You must file a loss declaration with the competent local authorities.
3. Have the declaration of loss endorsed by your consulate or embassy
You must then have the declaration or receipt stamped by your consulate or embassy.
The receipt is valid for 2 months for the French authorities but check with the local authorities if it allows you to drive.
Who shall I contact
4. Prepare the documents to be provided and apply for a new driving license
Prepare the following documents in digital format (scanned or photographed):
- Receipt of the declaration of loss made by the foreign authorities and endorsed by the competent consular or diplomatic post, and its translation into French by a certified translator
- Consular Registration
- Digital photo-signature
If you want to send a photo ID in paper format, it is proposed to download and send the photo signature deposit form (FPS) during the online procedure. - Entitlement of identity
- Entitlement of domicile under 6 months abroad
- If you are a foreigner: proof of your normal residence in France if you are a Swiss, Andorran, Monegasque or national European (EU/EEA), or proof of the regularity of your stay in France (residence permit) if you are a national of another State
- Proof of the right of residence in the country where you are established
- Justification for maintaining your normal residence in France: either a document certifying that you are pursuing studies, training, internship or a fixed-term assignment in that country, or a document certifying your residence in France for 185 days or more during the year preceding the receipt of your request by the instructor service. For example, a lease agreement, rent receipt, gas, electricity, or landline bills, a certificate of domicile issued by the energy supplier.
- For a Class C or D license, medical opinion (form cerfa no. 14880)
If you do not provide medical advice, you will get a duplicate with the same validity period as the lost license. - Dematerialized tax stamp (€25)
Apply online for a new driver's license in case of loss or theft
5. Recover the new driving license
Your driving license will be sent to your consulate/embassy of residence abroad.
Your normal residence is abroad
Your normal residence is abroad if you stay there more than 185 days per year (more than 6 months) for reasons other than pursuing your studies, following a training course, a traineeship or carrying out a fixed-term assignment.
If you have your normal residence in a country European upon the loss of your French driving license, address yourself to authorities competent of this country for obtain one new permit.
Indeed, the French authorities are no longer competent to renew your license.
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Choisissez votre cas
Your normal residence is in France
Your normal residence is in France if you are in one of the 2 situations following:
- You live in France 185 days or more per year (6 months) due to personal and/or professional ties
- Your personal attachments are located in France but you are abroad to pursue your studies, a training, one internship or for the execution of a fixed-term assignment.
If you are abroad as part of a Working Holiday programme (PVT), check with your embassy to find out if you have student or worker status.
You have a postal address in France
The application for a new driving license is made online on the website ofANTSANTS : National Securities Agency.
1. Download a secure certificate of driving rights (optional)
You can download a Secure Certificate of Driving Rights (ADCS) from the My Points Allowed.
The ADCS allows you to justify your driving rights.
The ADCS is valid for 4 months from its issue and can be reissued.
It is valid only in France.
In case of road traffic control in France, you can submit it in paper or dematerialized format.
2. Declare the loss of the driving license
You must file a loss declaration with the competent local authorities.
3. Have the declaration of loss endorsed by your consulate or embassy
You must then have the declaration or receipt stamped by your consulate or embassy.
The receipt is valid for 2 months for the French authorities but check with the local authorities if it allows you to drive.
Who shall I contact
4. Apply for a new driver's license
The process is done online on the website of theANTSANTS : National Securities Agency.
Prepare the following documents in digital format (scanned or photographed):
- Receipt of the declaration of loss made by the foreign authorities and endorsed by the competent consular or diplomatic post, and its translation into French by a certified translator
- Digital photo-signature
If you want to send a photo ID in paper format, it is proposed to download and send the photo signature deposit form (FPS) during the online procedure. - Entitlement of identity
- Entitlement of domicile less than 6 months
- If you are a foreigner: proof of your normal residence in France if you are a Swiss, Andorran, Monegasque or national European (EU/EEA), or proof of the regularity of your stay in France (residence permit) if you are a national of another State
- Proof of the right of residence in the country where you are established
- Justification for maintaining your normal residence in France: either a document certifying that you are pursuing studies, training, internship or a fixed-term assignment in that country, or a document certifying your residence in France for 185 days or more during the year preceding the receipt of your request by the instructor service. For example, a lease agreement, rent receipt, gas, electricity, or landline bills, a certificate of domicile issued by the energy supplier.
- For a Class C or D license, medical opinion (form cerfa no. 14880)
If you do not provide medical advice, you will get a duplicate with the same validity period as the lost license. - Dematerialized tax stamp (€25).
Enter your phone number to stay informed of the progress of your application and the shipment of your driving license.
Apply online for a new driver's license in case of loss or theft
5. Monitor the progress of the application for a driving license
One on-line service allows you to track your driver's license application.
Track the progress of a driving license application
You have a mailing address only abroad
The application for a new driving license is made online on the website ofANTSANTS : National Securities Agency.
The address of domicile to be declared on the ANT website is the address of residence at the time of issue of the driving license.
You can retrieve this information on the My Points Allowed site.
1. Download a secure certificate of driving rights (optional)
You can download a Secure Certificate of Driving Rights (ADCS) from the My Points Allowed.
The ADCS allows you to justify your driving rights.
The ADCS is valid for 4 months from its issue and can be reissued.
It is valid only in France.
In case of road traffic control in France, you can submit it in paper or dematerialized format.
2. Declare the loss of the driving license
You must file a loss declaration with the competent local authorities.
3. Have the declaration of loss endorsed by your consulate or embassy
You must then have the declaration or receipt stamped by your consulate or embassy.
The receipt is valid for 2 months for the French authorities but check with the local authorities if it allows you to drive.
Who shall I contact
4. Prepare the documents to be provided and apply for a new driving license
Prepare the following documents in digital format (scanned or photographed):
- Receipt of the declaration of loss made by the foreign authorities and endorsed by the competent consular or diplomatic post, and its translation into French by a certified translator
- Consular Registration
- Digital photo-signature
If you want to send a photo ID in paper format, it is proposed to download and send the photo signature deposit form (FPS) during the online procedure. - Entitlement of identity
- Entitlement of domicile under 6 months abroad
- If you are a foreigner: proof of your normal residence in France if you are a Swiss, Andorran, Monegasque or national European (EU/EEA), or proof of the regularity of your stay in France (residence permit) if you are a national of another State
- Proof of the right of residence in the country where you are established
- Justification for maintaining your normal residence in France: either a document certifying that you are pursuing studies, training, internship or a fixed-term assignment in that country, or a document certifying your residence in France for 185 days or more during the year preceding the receipt of your request by the instructor service. For example, a lease agreement, rent receipt, gas, electricity, or landline bills, a certificate of domicile issued by the energy supplier.
- For a Class C or D license, medical opinion (form cerfa no. 14880)
If you do not provide medical advice, you will get a duplicate with the same validity period as the lost license. - Dematerialized tax stamp (€25)
Apply online for a new driver's license in case of loss or theft
5. Recover the new driving license
Your driving license will be sent to your consulate/embassy of residence abroad.
Your normal residence is abroad
Your normal residence is abroad if you stay there more than 185 days per year (more than 6 months) for reasons other than pursuing your studies, following a training course, a traineeship or carrying out a fixed-term assignment.
If you have your normal residence in a country European upon the loss of your French driving license, address yourself to authorities competent of this country for obtain one new permit.
Indeed, the French authorities are no longer competent to renew your license.
Who can help me?
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Replacement of permit in case of loss or theft in the country of installation (Article 11(5))
Issuance and categories of driving licenses
Recording of driving license information
Behavior in the event of a roadside check
Tax on renewal of driving license (Article L421-171)
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