Exchange a foreign driving licence

These driving licences may be valid in France, subject to certain conditions:   

• The driving licence must be currently valid;
• It must be used in accordance with the medical instructions displayed on the licence (e.g. mandatory use of spectacles); 
• The licence holder must be above the legal driving age (at least 18 years of age for a “B” licence);
• The licence must still be valid in the country of issuance (i.e. not suspended, not revoked, no usage restrictions). 

To be recognised in France, a foreign driving licence must be valid:

• It must have been issued in the country of normal residence before the arrival in France;
• It must be written in French or accompanied by an official translation certified by the Court of Appeal of Paris;
• It must have been obtained before the start date of validity of the holder’s residence permit in France or before the validation of the VLS-TS.

If the length of stay in France exceeds one year, it will be necessary to exchange the non-European driving licence, subject to eligibility conditions.

Holders of a foreign driving licence (from outside Europe) and whose country has signed a bilateral agreement with France must exchange their foreign driving licence for a French one before their 1st year of residence in France. 

To view the list of countries whose citizens may exchange their driver’s license, click here.

Steps to follow  

The application to exchange a foreign driving licence for a French driving licence must be initiated on the ANTS website. 

Find all the relevant information on the french administration website.   

The exchange must be initiated before the expiration of the driving licence, either within 1 year after the issuance of the residence permit or within 1 year after the validation of the Long Stay Visa equivalent to a Residence Permit (VLS-TS).

Licence validity period

The French licence, with 12 points, will be valid for 15 years.

If the foreign licence was obtained less than 3 years ago, the applicant will receive a provisional licence:

• The provisional licence is issued with 6 points. If the driver does not commit any traffic offences for 3 years, their licence will be upgraded to 12 points.

The French driving licence will be exchanged for the original driving licence upon request to the ANTS. The original licence will only be returned in exchange for the French licence.

The following documents are required:  

• Valid proof of identity (national identity card, passport); 
• Proof of legal residence (valid residence permit);  
• Proof of address dated less than 6 months;  
• Current driving licence;  
• A certificate of driving rights issued by the foreign authorities that issued the driving licence, dated less than 6 months stating that the driving licence has not been suspended, withdrawn or cancelled; 
•   E-photos (using the following link : Find locations of photographers with photo-signature authorisation – Driving License – France Titres (ANTS).

All documents written in a foreign language must be accompanied by their translation in French. 

If your licence has been cancelled or suspended:

• the cancellation or suspension decision ;
• the letter from the prefecture informing you of the obligation to exchange your licence;
• the medical certificate.

For a licence that includes heavy vehicle categories: 

• The medical certificate of fitness to drive heavy vehicles or the declaration of renunciation of heavy vehicle categories.

In the event of loss of a driving licence, the declaration of loss (only for European licences from Switzerland, Andorra and Monaco).

In the event of theft of a driving licence, a theft report must be filed (at a police station or gendarmerie) (only for European licences, Switzerland, Andorra and Monaco).

Additional documents depending on the applicant and the driving licence held:  

• Proof of normal residence in the foreign country at the time of the issuance of the foreign driving licence  (if the applicant is not a national of the issuing country of the driving licence). Example: certificate of registration and deregistration from consular registers, employment contract, pay slips, work certificate, etc.  

If French nationality acquired, the naturalization decree (declaration of nationality). 

Licences issued by a country outside the European Economic Area that are not on the list of countries with an exchange agreement with France will no longer be valid in France after the one-year driving privilege expires. (Find this list online using this simulator).

Holders of such licences will have to obtain a French driving licence.

Non-French speakers may take the theory test (highway code) with the assistance of a translator.