New tax

From 4 May 2026

Exchanging a European or foreigners driver's license for a French license becomes chargeable

Publié le 22 avril 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

When a person holding a foreigners license issued outside the European Union and European Economic Area settles in France, he must exchange his foreigners license for a French license in order to drive sustainably in the country. In some cases, the holder of a European permit must also do so. The permit exchange procedure will be subject to a fee from 4 May.

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You will have to pay a stamp duty of €40 (€20 in French Guiana) from May 4, 2026, for the exchange of a European or foreigners driving license for a French license. An online procedure will be available from May 4 for the payment of this stamp duty.

This tax covers the cost of manufacturing and transporting the new driver's license.

What are the rules for non-EU license holders?

The holder of a permit issued outside the European Union and the European Economic Area may use a foreigners driver's license for one year following the acquisition of a “normal residence” in France (the normal residence corresponds to the place where a person usually lives, i.e. for at least 185 days per calendar year, for personal or professional reasons).

To continue driving in France beyond this one-year period, he is obliged to exchange his original foreigners license for a French license.

Please note

Exchange for a French permit is possible when there is a reciprocity agreement between France and the third country. In the absence of a reciprocal agreement, it is necessary to pass the driving license examination in France to be able to drive in the country.

You can use the Public Service simulator to find out which non-European countries can exchange their driving licenses for a French license.

You can also find the different conditions that must meet a foreigners driver's license to be able to be exchanged, on the practical sheet Public Service “Exchange of driving licenses obtained outside Europe (EU/EEA) - installation in France”.

What are the rules for holders of a European permit?

If you are holder of a driving license issued by a member country of the European Union or the European Economic Area (or a UK license issued before 2021), you can drive in France as long as your license is valid.

The exchange of your European driving license for a French license is mandatory only in the following cases:

  • your license is lost, stolen or damaged;
  • you are asking for a new category to be added to your driver's license
  • you commit a traffic offense in France resulting in a loss of points, a restriction, a suspension, or a cancelation of your license;
  • the validity of your license is coming to an end.

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