Driving in Europe (EU/EEA) with a French driving license - Installation

Verified 17 août 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Your situation

  • You are going to live in a European country (EU/EEA)
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You can drive with your French driver's license if you settle in another European country (EU/EEA).

Your driver's license must be valid.

FYI  

You can choose to exchange your French license for a license from the country where you live. Find out from the relevant authorities in that country how to proceed.

In which cases is it mandatory to exchange your French driving license?

If you reside in a European country (EU/EEA), the exchange of your French permit is obligatory in the following cases:

  • The validity of your license has ended.
  • Your license is lost, stolen or deteriorated.
  • You committed a traffic offense in the country where you live.
  • Your French permit is one old model valid for life (cardboard pink model) and your country of residence demands sound renewal after 2 years of normal residence.
    Depending on the country, the validity of the new motorcycle or car license will be 10 or 15 years.

Check with the authorities in the country where you live to find out how to do this.

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