How to find your French driver's license after an expatriation?
Verified 28 February 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
If you have exchanged your French driving license against a permit issued by the country in which you were expatriate, you can, on your return to France, find your french license. In practice, the approach consists of new exchange of permits. We tell you the information to know depending on whether you have exchanged your French license for a license European or a permit from another country.
European license
Step-by-step approach
Upon your return to France, you can request the reinstatement of your French driving license if you meet all the following conditions:
- Before your departure to expatriate, you obtained your French license either after passing the exam, or by converting a military driving license, or after validation of a diploma or a professional title issued for this purpose, or after the exchange of a driving license issued by a overseas collectivity and New Caledonia.
- During your expatriation, you exchanged your French driving license for a driving license European.
- You have your normal residence in France.
- You are not subject to any restriction, suspension, cancelation or withdrawal of the right to drive, in France or in the country which issued the driving license.
The restoration of your French driving license is possible even if the driving license European obtained in exchange is no longer valid.
The reinstatement of the French license concerns only rights acquired in France.
Example :
You got the B-permit in France and exchanged this permit for an equivalent permit issued by the country of expatriation. During your expatriation, you have passed a local motorcycle license. Upon your return to France, you can only obtain the reinstatement of the French B license. Regarding the motorcycle license, you must request the exchange of the foreigners motorcycle license for a French motorcycle license.
The application for the reinstatement of the French driving license is made online on the website of theANTSANTS : National Securities Agency.
Prepare the following documents in a scanned or photographed version:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You're French
Prepare the following documents:
- Two-sided color image of the original foreigner driving license
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- Digital photo-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 have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories.
You are European (EU/EEA)
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Prepare the following documents:
If you are European, prepare the following documents:
- Two-sided color image of the original foreigner driving license
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- Entitlement of normal residence in France on the date of the application. For example, tax/non-tax notice, employment contract, social security certificate...
- Digital photo-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 have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories.
You are a national of another State
Prepare the following documents:
- Two-sided color image of the original foreigner driving license
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- Proof of regularity of residence in France (residence permit or Ofii sticker affixed to your passport
- Digital photo-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 have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories.
Vous avez choisi
Choisissez votre cas
You're French
Prepare the following documents:
- Two-sided color image of the original foreigner driving license
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- Digital photo-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 have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories.
You are European (EU/EEA)
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Prepare the following documents:
If you are European, prepare the following documents:
- Two-sided color image of the original foreigner driving license
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- Entitlement of normal residence in France on the date of the application. For example, tax/non-tax notice, employment contract, social security certificate...
- Digital photo-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 have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories.
You are a national of another State
Prepare the following documents:
- Two-sided color image of the original foreigner driving license
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile less than 6 months
- Proof of regularity of residence in France (residence permit or Ofii sticker affixed to your passport
- Digital photo-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 have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories.
Please note
The instructor service may request the originals of documents if necessary, and additional documents depending on your situation.
At the end of the investigation of your application, if the conditions for reinstating your French driving license are met, your original foreigner permit is required.
You are contacted by SMS and mail. The email explains how to 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 for 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.
An online service allows track your driver's license application.
Track the progress of a driving license application
Permit from another country
Step-by-step approach
Upon your return to France, you can request the reinstatement of your French driving license if you meet all the following conditions:
- Before your departure to expatriate, you obtained your French license either after passing the exam, or by converting a military driving license, or after validation of a diploma or a professional title issued for this purpose, or after the exchange of a driving license issued by a overseas collectivity and New Caledonia.
- During your expatriation, you exchange your driving license for a foreigners driving license.
- You have your normal residence in France.
- You are not subject to any restriction, suspension, cancelation or withdrawal of the right to drive, in France or in the country which issued the driving license.
The reinstatement of your driving license is possible even if the foreigners driving license obtained in exchange is no longer valid.
FYI
You can driving in France with your foreigners driving license as long as you meet the conditions, and for a maximum of 1 after acquiring your normal residence in France.
The reinstatement of the French license concerns only rights acquired in France.
Example :
You got the B-permit in France and exchanged this permit for an equivalent permit issued by the country of expatriation. During your expatriation, you have passed a local motorcycle license. Upon your return to France, you can only obtain the reinstatement of the French B license. Regarding the motorcycle license, you must request the exchange of the foreigners motorcycle license for a French motorcycle license.
The application for the reinstatement of the French driving license is made online on the website of theANTSANTS : National Securities Agency.
Prepare the following documents in a scanned or photographed version:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You're French
Prepare the following documents:
- Two-sided color image of the original foreigner driving license
- Translation into French of the permit if not written in French
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile
- 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 have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories.
A certificate of driving rights of less than 6 months, with its translation, drawn up by the country issuing the driving license may also be requested. It is advisable to obtain it in order to have it available if necessary.
You are European (EU/EEA)
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Prepare the following documents:
- Color image of the original foreigner driving license
- Translation into French of the permit if not written in French
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile
- 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.
- Entitlement of normal residence in France on the date of the application. For example, income tax/non-tax notices, employment contracts, social security certificates, etc.
- If you have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories
A certificate of driving rights of less than 6 months, with its translation, drawn up by the State issuing the driving license may also be requested. It is advisable to obtain it in order to have it available if necessary.
You are a national of another State
Prepare the following documents:
- Color image of the original foreigner driving license
- Translation into French of the permit if not written in French
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile
- 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.
- Proof of regularity of residence in France (residence permit or Ofii sticker on your passport)
- If you have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories
A certificate of driving rights of less than 6 months, with its translation, drawn up by the State issuing the driving license may also be requested. It is advisable to obtain it in order to have it available if necessary.
Vous avez choisi
Choisissez votre cas
You're French
Prepare the following documents:
- Two-sided color image of the original foreigner driving license
- Translation into French of the permit if not written in French
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile
- 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 have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories.
A certificate of driving rights of less than 6 months, with its translation, drawn up by the country issuing the driving license may also be requested. It is advisable to obtain it in order to have it available if necessary.
You are European (EU/EEA)
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Prepare the following documents:
- Color image of the original foreigner driving license
- Translation into French of the permit if not written in French
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile
- 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.
- Entitlement of normal residence in France on the date of the application. For example, income tax/non-tax notices, employment contracts, social security certificates, etc.
- If you have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories
A certificate of driving rights of less than 6 months, with its translation, drawn up by the State issuing the driving license may also be requested. It is advisable to obtain it in order to have it available if necessary.
You are a national of another State
Prepare the following documents:
- Color image of the original foreigner driving license
- Translation into French of the permit if not written in French
- Proof of identity
- Proof of domicile
- 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.
- Proof of regularity of residence in France (residence permit or Ofii sticker on your passport)
- If you have a heavy permit, medical opinion on fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories
A certificate of driving rights of less than 6 months, with its translation, drawn up by the State issuing the driving license may also be requested. It is advisable to obtain it in order to have it available if necessary.
Please note
The instructor service may request the originals of documents if necessary, and additional documents depending on your situation.
At the end of the investigation of your application, if the conditions for reinstating your French driving license are met, your original foreigner permit is required.
You are contacted by SMS and mail. The email explains how to 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 for 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.
An online service allows track your driver's license application.
Track the progress of a driving license application
On the same subject
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.
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Ministry of the Interior