If you have a foreign driver's licence from outside of France, certain nationalities need to exchange it for a French driver's licence.

The good news is that France recognises driver’s licences issued by a large number of countries and has a process in place that eases the way if a driver wishes to exchange their existing licence for a French version.

European drivers

If you have a driver’s licence issued by an EEA country (EU plus Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein) you can drive in France for an unlimited period of time provided all of the following criteria are met:

• The licence is valid and does not have any endorsements, restrictions, suspensions etc.;
• You are above the French minimum age for driving the vehicle category (e.g. 18 for cars);
• You are in compliance with any legal medical restrictions (e.g. prescription glasses).

Non-European drivers

If you hold a full non-European licence the good news is that you can drive in France for up to one year without needing a French licence, provided certain conditions are met:

• The licence is valid and does not have any endorsements, restrictions, suspensions etc.;
• It must have been issued in your previous country of residence and you must have lived there for at least 6 months;
• Must be accompanied by either an official translation of the licence into French or alternatively, an International Driving Permit (IDP) accompanying your licence;
• You are above the French minimum age for driving the vehicle category (e.g. 18 for cars);
• In compliance with any legal medical restrictions (e.g. prescription glasses).

In addition, France has reciprocal arrangements with a number of countries that means citizens of other countries who have lived in France for less than one year can exchange their existing driver’s licence for its French counterpart, without having to pass a test in France. If you have lived in France for longer than one year however, you must sit and pass both the practical and theoretical licence tests. Certain vehicles, such as heavy vehicles, are excluded and will still require a test. The current list of countries can be found by following this link. However, you should check the French consular authority for your country to confirm.

Students and diplomats

Students and foreign diplomats can drive for the duration of their stay without needing to exchange their existing licence for a French version.

Application process

Applications to exchange your driver’s licence can be made at your local Préfecture de Police or Mairie. If you are in Paris you can also submit an application at the police headquarters. It is worth noting that some sub-prefectures will not process licence exchanges so check before you go to avoid any issues.

If you are exchanging your licence on the basis of a reciprocal arrangement it is worth bringing along a copy of the list of countries, in case the local office is unaware.

Documents required:

• Application exchange licence (Cerfa Form No. 11247 * 02)
• Colour photocopy of your foreign driver’s licence
• Official translation of the licence or the International Driver’s Permit (IDP)
• Four recent passport photographs
• Photocopy of your visa (if you are a non-EEA or Swiss citizen)
• Proof of six months' residence in France (if you are an EEA or Swiss citizens)
• Envelope for return of documents

Cost

This varies from region to region and in some areas there is no charge.

Delivery time

Depending on the prefecture it can range from a few weeks to several months. Busier prefectures will take longer as they deal with larger numbers of applications.

Additional points

If you have an existing driver’s licence that is less than three years old then your newly issued French licence will be a probationary one until a three-year period has elapsed – the same condition that applies to French drivers.

Don’t forget to arrange car insurance – it is compulsory in France.