Simple answer “yes you will at some time”, and what’s more as you’ve probably already worked out, nothings easy when you’re dealing with the French authorities, so be prepared for a little bit of a challenge. In this post, we’ll take a little look at process involved for anybody asking themselves “Do I need a French Driving Licence if I’m Moving to France?”
For Brits relocating to France
For British driving licence that was issued before January 1st, 2021, the good news is that you are not required to exchange your licence until the licence or photocard expires. You can apply for a new licence within six months of the expiry date of either the licence or photocard (whichever is first).
If you have a British license issued after January 1st, 2021, this is not covered by the reciprocal agreement, and you must exchange your licence for a French one within one year of becoming resident in France.
How to apply for a French driving License?
So once you’ve established that you do need to apply for a French driving License, the process begins with an application through the Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS).
Note: As of 3rd March 2020 this new online process has been launched to deal with European licence exchanges which means that exchanges can no longer be done at the Mairie, Préfecture or police municipale, or by post to the centralised office in Nantes, as previously. Do not send any documents to the CERT (Centre d’Expertise et de Ressources des Titres) at Nantes.
So on the ANTS website click on ‘echanger un permis étranger pour un permis français’
The application is all in French, and there’s no translate option (as with most things, you’ll find that the French authorities think that you should be able to read, write and speak French if you’re planning to live in France – check out this post we wrote a little while back
For the application, you will need:
- colour photocopy of both sides of your driving licence
- proof of identity (passport)
- proof of address (utilities bill or similar dated less than 6 months)
- proof of the right to reside in France if British (titre de séjour, visa stamp in your passport), or proof of date of arrival in France (ferry/train/plane ticket or first avis d’impots), or attestation from your Mairie (if they will issue one). Those on a one year visa will not be able to exchange.
- proof of date of arrival in France.
- photograph taken in a government approved photo booth which can be identified by the blue circle with Agréé Services en Ligne ANTS inside it. You can find the location of one near you by inputting your post codeon the ANTS site. Your photos will have a 22 digit alphanumeric code to be included in your application. There is also an app Smartphone ID that can be downloaded to take photos on your phone, although it wouldn’t take images using the front camera when I tried. If you can’t get to an official booth, you can post a physical photo.
Everybody needs to provide proof of their right to drive. If you are British you can get this as set out below. Please note that you do not need to translate the documents if they are in English.
- If your licence is in date, even if your photocard has expired, you can go to the DVLA site and use theircheck code service to download a driving licence summary. Please note the check code is not enough, you have to download the summary document.
- If your licence has expired you need to contact the DVLA for a certificate of entitlement . You can use webchat or phone on the DVLA main number 0044 300 7906801, but be aware that you will probably be cut off multiple times due to the lines being overwhelmed, and once you do get through you will be on hold for up to 30 minutes. It helps to ring or chat at 9 am French time as that is when the lines open.
Translating documents
There seems to be conflicting information regarding this issue. It is clearly stated on the ANTS site that you may be asked for an official translation of your driving licence and the attestation des droits à conduire if they are not in French. But we hear that it’s a bit hit and miss, some folks are being asked for translations, some not, so our advice is submit the English versions and wait to get requested if translations are required.
What happens next?
Immediately after filing your application, you should receive a message by email or SMS confirming that your application has been accepted. And then it’s a case of waiting for further advice – be it more documentation, or amendments and corrections.
The French Driving Licence
Once everything is approved the new licence will be sent to your home address. It will be a full licence unless you had passed your test within the 3 years prior to the exchange in which case it will be a probational one.
The start date shown is the date of your French licence, so you are best to keep a photocopy of the old one to prove when you first started to drive for insurance purposes.
The French licence is valid for 15 years, unless you are allowed to drive HGVs in which case it will be valid for 5 years. However all that is required at present is to update it with a new photo, as there is no age limit for driving in France and no requirement to attend a medical after a certain age, unlike in the UK
Disclaimer: while we make every effort to keep information on our site correct and up-to-date you are advised to double check current requirements on the government website.
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