Return from expatriation: how to get your French driver's license restored?

Verified 18 May 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You are back in France after an expatriation and wondering how to get your French driver's license back? We tell you the conditions to fulfill and how to make the request. The rules vary depending on whether you obtained a permit in Europe (EEA) or another country in exchange for your French permit.

In Europe (EEA)

If you have obtained a permit European (or a British license issued before 2021) in exchange for your French license, you can request the restoration of your driving rights upon your return to France.

This approach is optional.

She's obligatory only in 2 cases following:

  • The validity of your permit has taken fine-minded
  • You reside in France and you have committed a traffic offense

The reinstatement of the French license concerns only rights acquired in France.

Example :

If you have obtained the B permit in France then passed the motorcycle license abroad, you can only get the French B license. Regarding the motorcycle license, you must request the exchange of your foreigners motorcycle license for a French motorcycle license.

You must complete the 3 conditions following:

  • Obtain your French license before your expatriation (it doesn't matter what your nationality is).
    The license may have been obtained in one of the following ways: examination (code + practical test), conversion of a military driving license, validation of a diploma or professional title issued for this purpose, exchange of a driving license issued by a Com or New Caledonia.
  • Have your normal residence in France
  • Not being sanctioned by restriction, suspension, cancelation or revocation of a license in France and in the country that issued your foreigners permit

The process is done online on the website of theANTS: titleContent.

Online application for reinstatement of the French driving license upon return to France after an expatriation

You need the following documents, photographed or scanned.

However, the training department may request originals if necessary.

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

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You're French

  • Two-sided color image of the original driving license
  • 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

You're European

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.

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.

  • Entitlement of normal residence in France on the date of the application.
    For example, tax/non-tax notice, employment contract, social security certificate...
  • 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

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.

Elsewhere

If you have obtained a foreigner permit (no European) in exchange for your French driving license, you can request the restoration of your driving rights upon your return to France.

This recovery is obligatory in the 3 cases following:

  • The validity of your permit has taken fine-minded
  • You reside in France and you have committed a traffic offense
  • You want continue to drive in France beyond one year following the acquisition of your normal residence in France

Reinstatement is for rights you have acquired in France.

Example :

If you have obtained the B permit in France then passed the motorcycle license abroad, you can get the French B license. Regarding the motorcycle license, you must request the exchange of your foreigners motorcycle license for a French motorcycle license.

You must complete the 3 conditions following:

  • Obtain your French license before your expatriation (it doesn't matter what your nationality is).
    The license may have been obtained in one of the following four ways: examination (code + practical test), conversion of a military driving license, validation of a diploma or professional title issued for this purpose, exchange of a driving license issued by a Com or New Caledonia.
  • Have your normal residence in France
  • Not being sanctioned by a restriction, suspension, cancelation or withdrawal of the right to drive in France and in the country that issued your foreigners permit

The process is done online on the website of theANTS: titleContent.

Online application for reinstatement of the French driving license upon return to France after an expatriation

You need the following documents, photographed or scanned.

However, the training department may request originals if necessary.

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

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You're French

  • 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 State issuing the driving license may also be requested.

It is advisable to obtain it in order to have it available if necessary.

You're European

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.

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.

  • 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

  • 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.

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.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • carte grise 34 00 - Information on the

    Carte grise National interactive voice server providing automated answers regarding the following:

    Carte grise If the user does not get the answer to his question about the taking of the vehicle or the driving license, he will be put in contact with an advisor of the National Agency for Secure Titles (ANTS).

    By telephone

    From the metropolis:

    34,00 (cost of a local call)

    From overseas:

    09 70 83 07 07

    From the foreigner:

    +33 9 70 83 07 07