Exchange your driver’s license

Depending on the country in which your driver’s license was issued and your status in France, you will have to complete some administrative formalities to be able to drive legally in France.

For more information about exchanging a driver’s license, visit the public service website. 

Driver's license issued in the EEA

If you hold a valid driving licence issued in a European Economic Area (EEA) state, you may drive in France without any special formalities. British licences issued before 1 January 2021 also remain recognised under the provisions of the UK Withdrawal Agreement.

However, you will need to exchange your driver’s license for a French driver’s license in the following cases:
  • Your driver’s license is no longer valid
  • You have committed a traffic offense in France leading to the loss of points, a restriction, suspension or confiscation of your license
  • Your license has been stolen
  • You have lost your license
  • Your license has been damaged
  • You are requesting a new category of license (extension)
You can exchange your European license online on the ANT website (French secure documents agency).

It is free to exchange your driver’s license except in the event of loss or theft (€25).

Driver’s license issued outside the EEA


The procedure is different depending on your residence permit.

If you have a “Student” visa or residence permit

Holders of a "Student" residence permit may drive using their foreign license for the entire validity period of their permit, provided the license is valid and—if necessary—accompanied by an official translation or an International Driving Permit. If the license is not in French, it must be accompanied by either an International Driving Permit or an official French translation prepared by an authorized translator.

Important, if your status changes, you will have to exchange your driver’s license.

You have a “Passeport talent-chercheur” (Talent passport-Researcher) or “Scientifique-chercheur” (Research scientist) visa or residence permit

You may drive using your foreign driver's license during the first year following the start of the validity period of your first residence permit in France. If your license is not in French, it must be accompanied by either an international driving permit or an official translation into French.

After this initial one-year period, you will need to exchange your foreign driver's license for a French one. This exchange is mandatory if your license is eligible for exchange in France. It is free of charge, excluding any costs associated with supporting documents.
If your driver's license is not eligible for exchange for a French license, you will be required to take a new driving test in France.

If you know that your stay will exceed one year and you meet the exchange requirements, we advise you to apply for the exchange of your driver's license as soon as possible, as the process can take a long time.

If the exchange process has not been initiated during this one-year period, you will no longer be permitted to drive in France using your foreign driver's license. You will then be required to take a driving test in accordance with French regulations.

In the event of a traffic violation resulting in a restriction, suspension, or revocation of your license, or a loss of points, you will be required to exchange your foreign driver's license for a French one.

Procedure for exchanging a foreign driver's license

You can apply to exchange your foreign driver's license fully online on the ANTS website.
It is essential that your driver's license meets the following conditions:
• Be valid,
• Issued by a country where you were habitually resident before moving to France,
• Issued by a State that has a reciprocal license exchange agreement with France,
• Be issued in French or accompanied by an official translation. The translation must be legalized or authenticated with an Apostille if translated abroad. If translated in France, this must be done by a sworn translator.

All documents issued in a language other than French must be translated by a sworn translator.

Important: your residence permit must be valid

You will find the list of documents to be submitted on the website Service-public.fr.

Once you have submitted your application, you retain your driver's license while it is being processed. When the authorities ask you to send in your original license, you will be able to download a secure proof-of-submission certificate (ADS)—valid for four months and renewable if necessary—allowing you to continue driving until the final decision is reached.