Exchange of driving licenses obtained outside Europe (EU/EEA) - installation in France

Verified 13 August 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You settle in France and you wonder if you can driving with your foreigner license ? A driving license issued by a non-EU country European (with the exception of a UK license issued before 2021) is valid for 1 year from the acquisition of the normal residence in France. Exchange for a French license is mandatory to be able drive longer. This page tells you the rules to know and how to exchange your license.

The rules are different depending on whether you are a student or in another situation:

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You're a student

If you are a foreigner student and have a student residence permit, you have no need to ask for the exchange your driver's license.

You can driving in France with your non-European license during your studies.

You're in a different situation

The rules are different depending on whether you have a UK driver's license or not:

You have a British driving license
Permit issued before 2021

You have no no need to ask for the exchange of your British license against a French license.

Your British license is recognized in France as long as it is valid.

Exchanging your British license issued before 2021 for a French license is mandatory only in the following cases:

  • Your license is no longer valid
  • You are applying for a new license category (extension)
  • You commit a traffic violation in France resulting in loss of points, restriction, suspension, or cancelation of your license
  • Your license was stolen
  • You lost your license
  • Your license is deteriorated.
Permits issued in 2021 and beyond

You must request exchange of your British license against a French license.

You're in a different situation

You must request the exchange of your driver's license no European against a French license if you settle in France.

A permit issued by a non-European country is valid only for 1 year from the acquisition of the normal residence in France.

FYI  

The approach is different if you are back in France after an expatriation and you want to get your French driving license back. In this case, you must request the restoration of your french driving rights.

One simulator indicates countries outside Europe (EU/EEA) whose national driving licenses may be exchanged for a French license:

Check if a non-European driving license (EU/EEA) is exchangeable for a French license

Your foreigner driver's license must complete the following conditions :

If these conditions are not met, you must pass the driving license exam in France.

FYI  

It is not possible to obtain the motorcycle A license by exchange. One A2 motorcycle license you are issued and you will need to complete a 2-year training course to obtain the A permit.

You must meet the following conditions:

  • Have the minimum age to drive in France vehicles of the equivalent category of your license
  • Have your normal residence in France
  • Have a valid residence permit if you are neither European nor French
  • Passed the permit examination when you had your normal residence in the country where the permit was issued
  • Comply with any medical prescriptions noted on your license. For example, glasses are mandatory.
  • Have passed, if necessary, a medical examination for fitness to drive. For example, if your health condition implies a restriction on the validity of the license.
  • Not have been sanctioned by a suspension, withdrawal or cancelation of your right to drive in the country where the license was issued
  • Not having been sanctioned in France, before having obtained a driving license in another country, by a cancelation or a invalidation your right to drive.

The deadline for requesting the exchange of permits varies depending on whether you have French nationality, from european countries or from another country:

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You are a foreigner (first regular arrival)

Foreign person arriving in France in a regular situation and for the 1re times in order to stay there for a long time

Foreign person arriving in France in a regular situation and for the 1re times in order to stay there for a long time

You have a 1 year delay from the acquisition of your normal residence in France to request the exchange of the driving license obtained abroad (excluding EEA).

You have a first residence permit

You must request the exchange of your license less than 1 year after the date of delivery of your title.

Please note

The period of 1 year does not run from the renewal of a residence permit or the change of status for the right of residence. For example, the 1re permanent resident card or residence permit that would follow a 1er Residence permit does not allow to make a new request for exchange of driving license.

You have a long-stay visa as a residence permit

You must request the exchange of your license less than 1 year after one of the following 2 dates:

  • the date of validation of the visa by means of the online service,
  • or the date of the sticker affixed by theOfii: titleContent on the 1er long-stay visa as a residence permit.

Please note

The period of 1 year does not run from the renewal of a residence permit or the change of status for the right of residence. For example, the 1re permanent resident card or residence permit that would follow a 1er Residence permit does not allow to make a new request for exchange of driving license.

You have a receipt for recognition of international protection (Ofpra)

You must request the exchange less than 1 year after the date of receipt application for a residence permit as a residence permit.

The residence permit as a residence permit must indicate one of the following:

  • "Recognized as a refugee"
  • Or “has been granted subsidiary protection”
  • Or “has applied for the issue of a first residence permit with stateless status”.

Please note

The period of 1 year does not run from the renewal of a residence permit or the change of status for the right of residence. For example, the 1re permanent resident card or residence permit that would follow a 1er Residence permit does not allow to make a new request for exchange of driving license.

You are European (EEA, Andorra, Monaco, Switzerland)

You must request the exchange of your license from 6e month of stay in France and before 18e month.

You are French

You must request the exchange of your license less than 1 year after your establishment in France.

The request is made online on the website of theANTS: titleContent :

Exchange a foreigners or COM license for a French license

You need the following documents, photographed or digitized.

However, the instructing service may request the originals if necessary.

In addition, some additional documents can be requested according to your situation:

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You are a foreigner

Prepare the following documents:

  • Duplex color image of the original driver's license
  • Translation of the driving license if it is not written in French. The translation must be legalized or apostillate if it is made abroad. If it is carried out in France, it must be done by a qualified translator or by the embassy in France of the country that issued the permit.
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of address less than 6 months
  • Proof of legal residence in France (residence permit or Ofii sticker on your passport)
  • Photo code and digital signature. If you do not have access to a photo and digital signature service, you are offered to fill out and send by mail a photo-signature form (FPS) during the teleprocedure.
  • Certificate of the driving rights of less than 6 months at the date of application. This document is issued by the foreign authorities that issued the driving license. It is used to verify that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled.
  • Translation of the certificate of the rights to drive if it is not written in French, by a qualified translator in France.
  • If you do not have the nationality of the country of issue of the permit, proof of normal residence in the foreigner country at the time of issuing the foreigner permit.
    For example, attestation of registration and removal from consular registers, employment contract, pay slips, work certificates.
  • If you have heavy permit, medical opinion of fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories
  • If your license has been canceled or suspended: decision to cancel or suspend + letter informing of the exchange obligation sent by the prefecture + medical opinion.

All documents written in a foreign language must be accompanied by their translation by a qualified translator.

You are an internationally protected foreigner (Ofpra)

You are in this situation if you are recognized as a refugee, granted subsidiary protection or have stateless status.

Prepare the following documents:

  • Duplex color image of the original driver's license
  • Translation of the driving license if it is not written in French.
    The translation must be legalized or apostillate if it is made abroad.
    If it is carried out in France, it must be done by a qualified translator or by the embassy in France of the country that issued the permit.
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of address less than 6 months
  • Proof of legal residence in France (residence permit or Ofii sticker on your passport)
  • Photo code and digital signature. If you do not have access to a photo and digital signature service, you are offered to fill out and send by mail a photo-signature form (FPS) during the teleprocedure.
  • If you do not have the nationality of the country of issue of the permit, proof of normal residence in the foreigner country at the time of issuing the foreigner permit. For example, attestation of registration and removal from consular registers, employment contract, pay slips, work certificates.
  • If you have heavy permit, medical opinion of fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories
  • If your license has been canceled or suspended: decision to cancel or suspend + letter informing of the exchange obligation sent by the prefecture + medical opinion.

All documents written in a foreign language must be accompanied by their translation by a qualified translator.

You are European

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

If you are European, prepare the following documents:

  • Duplex color image of the original driver's license
  • Translation of the driving license if it is not written in French. The translation must be legalized or apostillate if it is made abroad. If it is carried out in France, it must be done by a qualified translator or by the embassy in France of the country that issued the permit.
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of address less than 6 months
  • Photo code and digital signature.If you do not have access to a photo and digital signature service, you are offered to fill out and send by mail a photo-signature form (FPS) during the teleprocedure.
  • Certificate of the rights to drive of less than 6 months on the date of the application. This document is issued by the foreign authorities that issued the driving license. It is used to verify that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled.
  • Translation of the certificate of the rights to drive if it is not written in French, by a qualified translator in France
  • Proof of normal residence in France at the date of application
  • Proof of date of arrival in France. For example, boarding ticket, social security affiliation.
  • If you do not have the nationality of the country of issue of the permit, proof of your normal residence in the foreigner State at the time of issue of the foreigner permit. For example, registration certificates and deregistration from consular registers, employment contracts, pay slips, work certificates...
  • If you have heavy permit, medical opinion of fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories
  • If your license has been canceled or suspended, decision to cancel or suspend + letter informing of the exchange obligation sent by the prefecture + medical advice.

All documents written in a foreign language must be accompanied by their translation by a certified translator.

You are French

Prepare the following documents:

  • Duplex color image of the original driver's license
  • Translation of the driving license if it is not written in French. The translation must be legalized or apostillate if it is made abroad. If it is carried out in France, it must be done by a qualified translator or by the embassy in France of the country that issued the permit.
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of address less than 6 months
  • Photo code and digital signature.If you do not have access to a photo and digital signature service, you are offered to fill out and send by mail a photo-signature form (FPS) during the teleprocedure.
  • Certificate of the rights to drive of less than 6 months on the date of the application. This document is issued by the foreign authorities that issued the driving license. It is used to verify that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled.
  • Translation of the certificate of the rights to drive if it is not written in French, by a qualified translator in France
  • Proof of the date of return to France. For example, certificate of removal from consular registers, France Travail registration (formerly Pôle emploi), employment contract, social security certificate.
  • If you do not have the nationality of the country of issue of the permit, proof of normal residence in the foreigner country at the time of issuing the foreigner permit. For example, attestation of registration and removal from consular registers, employment contract, pay slips, work certificates.
  • If you have heavy permit, medical opinion of fitness to drive heavy categories, or declaration of waiver of heavy categories
  • If your license has been canceled or suspended, decision to cancel or suspend + letter informing of the exchange obligation sent by the prefecture + medical advice.
  • Documents related to Defense and Citizenship Day (DCD) if you are French, aged between 17 and 25: individual certificate of participation (CIP) in the JDC, or individual certificate of exemption, or certificate of administrative situation issued in case of deterioration, loss or theft, or provisional certificate of situation, including postponement, vis-à-vis the national service.

The approach is free of charge.

During the examination of your application, you can drive because you keep your driving license. Depending on the complexity of your case, the investigation may take several months.

At the end of the instruction, your original foreigner driver's license is required to check its authenticity (except in case of suspension or cancelation). You are contacted by SMS and email. The email explains how send the original of your driving license by registered mail.

When the instructor department receives the original of your license, you can download on the ANTS website one secure deposit certificate (ADS). ADS is valid 4 months. This attestation will allows you to drive in France while waiting to receive your French license, within the term of recognition of your foreigner license.

An online service allows you to track your driving license application.

Track the progress of a driver's license application

Shipment of driver's license

The driver's license (driving license) is shipped by letter followed.

This type of shipment traceable, with mailbox delivery, is different from regular mail.

You must pay attention to the address you provide in the online procedure. It must be as complete as possible (building number, apartment number, letterbox number, floor, corridor, staircase, “resident at home”, etc.).

Your mailbox must show the first and last name of the person receiving the mail.

Follow-up of the sending of the driving license

From the reception of the SMS informing you of the validation of your online request, you must count about 15 days to receive your driver's license (driving license).

At the end of the manufacturing stage of your driving license, you will receive a mail containing a mail tracking link. This link allows you to follow the routing of your driving license.

The tracking of the sending of your driving license can also be done directly on La Poste website with the number of the tracked mail.

Please note

In order to stay informed of the status of your application and the shipment of your driving license, remember to provide your phone number and email during the teleprocedure.

In case of non-receipt of the driving license

If you have not received your driver's license (driving license) while the mail tracking consultation shows a distribution made, contact theANTS: titleContent via the contact form:

Who shall I contact

  • Citizen Contact Center - Driver's License

    Online

    https://permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr/

    Online contact form

    Access to contact form

    By phone

    34,00 (number not overtaxed)

    09 70 83 07 07 from overseas and foreigner

    From Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

The date of issue indicated on the permit is the date of issuance of the French permit.

From this date, the permit is valid 15 years.

However, the validity period of the permit is different in the following 2 cases:

  • In case of medical condition requiring restriction
  • For the so-called "heavy" categories the validity of which is linked to the age of the driver. For example, 5 years for a driver under 55.

FYI  

The French license given to you is a probationary permit if the original permit is also.

Check if a non-European driving license (EU/EEA) is exchangeable for a French license

Exchange a foreigners or COM license for a French license

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