Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in France

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Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in France

If you hold a driving licence from a member state of the EU or EEA

The conditions of validity of recognition and exchange are fixed by a ministerial decree of February 8, 1999.

If you hold a valid driving licence from an EU or EEA member state, it is valid in France. You may request an exchange, but it is not obligatory. This is providing the licence was originally issued by country or state recognised by the French reciprocal licence exchange.

An exchange becomes compulsory if the licence holder commits a driving offence in France - this is so that points can be retracted.

Note: If you exchange your licence for a French one, it can simplify things in case of loss or theft and in the case of getting motor insurance. However, after the French licence has been issued, your original will be withdrawn and returned to the issuing authority.

Note: Despite the fact that valid EU licences need not be exchanged, national legislation in different EU countries may create a situation in which a licence becomes invalid. For example, holders of UK licences are required to inform the DVLA of any change in their address by filling in the appropriate form and posting it off with their licence. However, if the DVLA receives a foreign address it does not update the licence but rather posts off a document stating that the holder is entitled to a licence, which can then be used to get a French licence.

To request a licence exchange

Apply to your Préfecture for the form Cerfa n°11247 demande d'échange de permis de conduire. You must provide:

• proof of identity: your passport, residence permit or carte de séjour (copy both sides)
• proof of address: EDF bill or rental contract
• your original driving licence (you may need to provide an official translation by an traducteur expert-juré, - particularly in the case of non-EU licence exchanges - contact details available at your  Mairie or Préfecture)
• if you are student, show proof of student's status for a period of at least six months
• proof of no suspensions or limitations on your existing licence
• 2 identity photographs (black & white or colour size: 3.5x3.5)
• photocopies of all documents. 
• stamped, self-addressed envelope

The licence will be exchanged for one in the equivalent category. Once you receive your French licence, your original is taken from you. There is a fee payable for an exchange.

For Further Information:
EU Information Pages

If you hold a driving licence outside of the EU or EEA

The conditions of validity of recognition and exchange are fixed by a ministerial decree of February 8 1999.

• Note: Holders of valid South African and Australian (all States and Territories) licences are entitled to exchange them in the same way as holders of valid EU licences. 
• Australians note that as Australian licences do not have a "valid from" date noted on the licence, you may be required to provide a document from the Australian Authorities stating when the licence was issued.

If you are 18 years and over, you may drive in France on a valid foreign licence for one year. It then becomes obligatory that you drive on a French driver's licence. At one year from the date marked on your carte de séjour or residency permit, any foreign driving licence you hold becomes invalid. As a result, you are uninsured to drive. Agreements do exist with certain countries and states, whereby an exchange may be made providing that it is done within your first year of legal residency in France. Enquire at your local Consulate, Embassy or your Préfecture if you qualify for an exchange as for EU citizens (see above)..

If your licence may not be exchanged, you will have to take a full French theory and practical driving exam. See the Driving Licences INFOrmation page on AngloINFO.

Canadian Citizens

• Drivers holding licences from Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario (as of February 2004) may exchange their licences.
  Note: Holders of licences from Ontario may exchange a category G licence for the equivalent (B or E) in France.

Drivers with such licences may drive on that licence for 1 year in France and must then exchange it in the same way as holders of valid EU licences. See above.
Canadians are advised by the Consulate to report this exchange to the provincial authority that issued the driver’s licence in Canada. 

• For more information see the Canadian Embassy in France Web site

Canadians with licences other than from Quebec, Newfoundland, Labrador or Ontario may drive on their Canadian licences for three months, but must apply for to take a French driving test within that time.

• More details from the Canadian Embassy in France 

US Citizens

If you are 18 years and over, you may drive in France on a valid U.S. driver's license for one year from the time you receive your residency permit. (It is recommended that you attach a French translation to your US driver's license, made by a sworn translator, a traducteur expert-juré. Contact details of translators available at your  Mairie or Préfecture)
Students note: The US licence is valid for the full duration of your studies.
Temporary visitors on a holiday visa (under 90 day visit) may use a valid US driving licence, an International driving licence is wise but not essential.

If your licence was issued by any of the following states, you may exchange your licence in the same way as EU and EEA member licences are exchanged (see above), provided you apply within 9 months of being issued your residency permit:

• Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky. Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.

If you do not have a driver's license from one the states mentioned above, you must take the French driving examination within one year of your residence in France, otherwise you are illegal and uninsured to drive. See Driving Licences.

Clear information for US Citizens is available on the French Embassy Web site 

Contacts

• Local Administrative Offices
• Service-Public Web site (in French)