Loss of the French driving license

Verified 25 June 2024 - 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 theANTS: titleContent.

Step-by-step approach

The process is being done online on the websiteANTS: titleContent.

Prepare the following elements in the 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)
    - 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 n°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're informed by email or SMS when your statement of loss has been reviewed.

You can then upload a proof of loss in your personal area ANTS.

This certificate is valid for 2 months.

It allows you to drive while waiting for your new driver's 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.

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

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.

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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.

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 ofANTS: titleContent.

1. Declare the loss of the driving license

You have to make a declaration of loss with the competent local authorities.

2. Have the declaration of loss endorsed by your consulate or embassy

Then you need to have the declaration or receipt endorsed by your consulate or embassy.

The receipt is valid 2 months for French authorities but check with local authorities if he can allows you to drive.

3. Apply for a new driving license

The process is being done online on the websiteANTS: titleContent.

Prepare the following documents in the numeric 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)
    - 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, a traineeship or that you are on a fixed-term mission 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 n°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

4. Monitor the progress of the application for a driving license

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

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 websiteANTS: titleContent.

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. Declare the loss of the driving license

You have to make a declaration of loss with the competent local authorities.

2. Have the declaration of loss endorsed by your consulate or embassy

Then you need to have the declaration or receipt endorsed by your consulate or embassy.

The receipt is valid 2 months for French authorities but check with local authorities if he can allows you to drive.

3. Prepare the documents to be provided and apply for a new driving license

Prepare the following documents in the numeric 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)
    - 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, a traineeship or that you are on a fixed-term mission 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 n°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

4. 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.

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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