On the europa.jobs portal, job offers in France appear more and more often. Many people decide to go to this country for work because of good earnings and working conditions. Sometimes it happens that the place of work is far away from the migrant’s place of residence. If your employer does not provide transport to work, it is worth thinking about your own car. However, firstly, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to foreign drivers in France. In today’s article, we will answer the question: how to get a driving license in France?
Entry and stay in France
Any person who is a citizen of one of the EU Member States, may cross the border with France upon presentation of:
- a valid passport
- a temporary passport
- an ID card
An additional advantage is the lack of obligation to register your stay. EU citizens are also exempted from the registration obligation.
How to go to France? Formalities before and after
Driving license in France – basic information
Do you live permanently in France? Do you want to pass your driving license in this country?
Here is some basic information.
In France, anyone over the age of 17 years old can take a driving test.
The price of the exam varies from EUR 1600 to 1800 (depending on the region).
Failed exam and willingness to take it again, involves the obligation to repeat the driving course. The price of the next exam usually increases to EUR 2000. As you can see, obtaining a driving license in France is not the cheapest.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Finance has plans to reduce these costs by 30% in the near future. The main reason is the high percentage of drivers without a driving license (up to 700,000) who pose a threat on the roads.
The state offers supplements to the driving course for those between the ages of 15 and 25 years old. It is an interest-free loan for a basic driving school course, or to pay for additional training. It can be used only once.
How to get a driving license in France?
To get a driving license in France, you must take a course at a driving school of your choice. The training includes 13 hours of practice and 5 hours of driving on simulators. You can then go to the test center to register for your first exam, which consists of a theory and a practical part.
Remember! The price for each subsequent exam increases.
What documents are needed to get a driving license in France?
- identity document (an ID card or a passport); in the case of the underage teenagers, an identity document of the legal guardian is also required
- proof of address of residence (not older than 6 months)
- a copy of the medical examination certificate for a driving license
- census certificate (persons under 18 years old)
- code from a digital passport photo
- ASSR 2 or ASR (certificate needed in the case of losing driving license)
- a document containing information about the stay and its regularity (this applies to the foreigners)
Does a foreigner need to possess a French driving license?
If the stay of a foreigner in France does not exceed 6 months, he is not obliged to obtain a French driving license. Then he can drive a car on the basis of a valid driving license (issued e.g. in the country of origin) or with an international driving license.
Carte Vitale – what is it needed for and how to get it?
After 6 months, a foreigner should exchange his/her driving license for a French one if:
- driving license has expired
- he/she extends his/her license to a new category
- he/she commits a traffic offense in France, which results in the loss of points, restriction, suspension or revocation of the license
How to change a driving license to a French one?
From January 2020, it’s possible to exchange electronically.
Step by step to how to exchange a driving license to a French one:
- Register yourself with the system ANTS
- Log in to your account
- Click on: Nouvelle demande >> Le permis de conduire >>Je commence la demande
- Please select the reason for your request: Je demande l’enregistrement ou un échange de mon permis de conduire étranger
- Complete the contact details
- Submit the e-code from your digital passport photo
- Attach the required documents:
- an identity card (an ID card / a passport)
- proof of regularity of residence (valid residence permit)
- proof of residence dated not older than 6 months
- current driving license
- certificate of possession of a driving license not older than 6 months
- In case of an error in the form, go back to the previous stage >>Etape précédente<< and check all the fields.
- If you do not have the e-code of the photo, you can send the photo by post. Include the Formulaire de dépôt photo signature form
- Follow the processing of your request by logging into your ANTS account
For more information, see: https://permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr/demarches-en-ligne/echanger-un-permis-etranger
The application must be submitted well in advance. Dates vary depending on the foreigner’s country of origin. CHECK HERE
Traffic rules in France
The French rules of road traffic in France do not differ from the European standards. However, it is worth remembering that:
- France has very strict rules and there are high fines and sanctions for breaking them. For example, if you exceed the speed limit by 40 km/h, you risk losing your driving privileges.
- The mandatory equipment of the vehicle consists of: reflective vest, warning triangle (its absence equals payment of a fine of the amount EUR 135), a set of spare bulbs, anti-theft protection, breathalyzer (for alcohol).
- If the fine has not been paid immediately, it must be paid within 3 days at the French office of the Center d’encaissement des amendes.
- For using the antiradar, there is a fine (up to EUR 3000).
More detailed information on the traffic rules in France can be found at: Driving advice for every country in Europe.
