Administrative suspension of driving license
Verified 27 August 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)
Towards a new case of license suspension: driving after using psychoactive substances
The prefect must implement the procedure for suspending the driving license, after retention of permit, in the case of driving while having manifestly consumed one or more deliberately, in a roundabout or excessive manner psychoactive substances.
A decree must determine the conditions under which the list of psychoactive substances concerned will be established.
That is what the law no. 2026-798 of august 18, 2026, known as the Ripost Act.
In the meantime, the information presented on this sheet remains valid.
Do I have to go through a medical check to get my driver's license back after a administrative suspension ? We inform you about the suspension of the license decided by the prefect, following a traffic offense or for medical reasons.
FYI
Following a serious traffic violation, several procedures may lead to the withdrawal of a driving license: invalidation, administrative suspension, judicial suspension and judicial annulment of the permit.
Traffic offense
Where law enforcement authorities find an offense which may be punished by a administrative suspension of the driving license, they transmit a copy of minutes to the prefect (or sub-prefect). For some of these offenses, law enforcement must first conduct a retention of driving license.
The Prefect right implement the suspension procedure after retention of driver's license as a result of of infringements following:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or in a state of obvious intoxication
- Driving after using narcotics or having obviously used narcotics
- Refusal to submit to blood alcohol or narcotics testing.
The Prefect may implement the suspension procedure after retention of driver's license as a result of of infringements following:
- Speeding ⩾ at 40 km/h
- Driving while holding a telephone in hand when the driver commits at the same time certain traffic offenses: non-compliance with driving rules, non-compliance with safety distances between vehicles, crossing and overlapping continuous lines, non-compliance with traffic lights, non-compliance with speed rules, non-compliance with certain overtaking rules, non-compliance with the signaling requiring vehicles to stop or give way, non-compliance with the priority of pedestrian crossing.
- In the event of a traffic accident resulting in the death of a person or causing bodily harm, if you are suspected of having violated the rules of use of the handheld telephone, speed, crossing, passing, intersection or priority of passage
- Refusal to comply
- In case of motorized rodeo.
The prefect may also take a suspension measure if he is informed by the minutes of the infringements following:
- Offense punishable by a additional penalty suspension of the driving license. For example, irregular crossing of a grade crossing.
- Usage illicit from narcotics.
The procedure varies depending on whether the permit has been pre-detained or not.
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In case of prior retention of the driving license
The prefect shall suspend the license within the following time limits:
- In the 72 hours from retention of permit
- Or in the 120 hours in the event of an offense involving alcohol or the use of narcotic drugs and requiring verification.
The decision is yours notified directly if you report to the service indicated in the notice of retention. Otherwise, the decision is notified to you by letter with : titleContent.
The administration retains your license for the period fixed by the prefect.
If you do not comply with the suspension decision, you will face a prison sentence of 2 years and a fine of €4,500.
Please note
If the time limit of 72 hours or 120 hours could not be respected, the prefect may take a suspension measure if he is informed by a report of an offense punishable by a additional penalty of suspension.
If you have retained your driver's license
Upon receipt of the report of the offense, the prefect may decide to suspend your driver's license.
The decision is yours notified by post with : titleContent.
You must surrender your license to the prefectural services.
If you refuse to surrender your license, you will be sentenced to 2 years in prison and a fine of €4,500.
FYI
In case of alcohol-related offenses, the prefect may also decide to restrict your right to drive to a vehicle equipped with a anti-ignition device (EAD).
In general, the maximum duration of the suspension is 6 months.
It may, however, be extended to 1 year in the following cases
- Traffic accident resulting in the death of a person
- Traffic accident resulting in personal injury
- Refusal to comply
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or in a state of obvious intoxication
- Driving after the use of narcotics
- Refusal to submit to blood alcohol checks
- Refusal to submit to drug use checks.
The suspension decision shall take effect from the date of notification of the decision. However, if your license has been surrendered, the suspension takes effect from the beginning of the retention of permit.
In the event of a decision to judicial suspension before the end of the period of administrative suspension, it shall automatically replace it. The two sanctions do not add up.
Example :
If the judge suspends the license for 12 months and the administrative suspension is 6 months, you will recover your driver's license after 12 months and not 6 months of administrative suspension.
Warning
The administrative suspension of the license cannot be arranged. There is no white permit.
Where the driver is a professional in charge of the transport of persons, the duration of the administrative suspension of the license shall be doubled.
In general, the maximum duration of the suspension is of 1 year.
It may, however, be extended to 2 years in the following cases
- Traffic accident resulting in the death of a person
- Traffic accident resulting in personal injury
- Refusal to comply
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or in a state of obvious intoxication
- Driving after the use of narcotics
- Refusal to submit to blood alcohol checks
- Refusal to submit to drug use checks.
In case of suspension longer than 1 month, you must pass a medical check so you can get your driver's license back.
In addition, if the suspension is 6 months or more, you must pass a psychotechnical examination before passing the medical check.
You must pass the medical examination without waiting for the end of the suspension period. It is advisable to do it about 1 month before the end of the suspension period.
Medical appointment
The approach varies depending on the offense committed.
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Offense related to alcohol or narcotics
You must make an appointment to the medical commission on the website of your prefecture. It may also be, by decision of the prefect, medical commission of the department where you committed the offensen.
General scenario
In Paris
Who shall I contact
Other offense
You must contact a city doctor approved by the prefect of your department. This doctor should not be your primary care physician.
You can consult the list of approved doctors on the websites of the prefectures. The list of approved doctors is also available in the prefectures, sub-prefectures and town halls of some municipalities.
FYI
You can pass the medical check with a certified doctor in a department other than that of your residence. In this case, it is prudent to attach to your file an explanation of the use of a doctor other than that of your department of residence.
Psychotechnical examination
In case of suspension from 6 months or more, you must pass a psychotechnical examination with a psychologist declared with the prefect.
The exam lasts minimum 40 minutes. It includes a individual interviewand one or more psychotechnical tests.
The average cost of the psychotechnical examination is €100 about.
The list of registered psychologists is available on the prefectural websites.
General scenario
In Paris
Documents to be provided during the medical check
On the day of the medical check, prepare the following documents:
- Form cerfa n°14880 pre-filled
- Proof of identity
- Suspension decision and letter of notification of suspension
- Results of biological examinations if requested in the letter of notification
- Result of psychotechnical examination if necessary.
Conduct of medical check-ups
The medical check is about your physical fitness, cognitive and sensory to drive.
Of further examinations and the advice of qualified health professionals may be requested.
The licensed physician may also request that you be summoned to appear before the departmental medical commission. You must then make an appointment on the website of your prefecture.
Price of medical check
The price of the medical check is:
- In front of a licensed physician: €36
- Before the medical committee: €50
The average cost of the psychotechnical examination is €100 about.
The health insurance does not cover the costs of the check-up or any additional examinations.
Result of medical check-up
The approach varies depending on whether the opinion is favorable or unfavorable.
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If the opinion is favorable
The medical opinion is given to you.
The medical opinion has a validity of 2 years.
If the opinion is unfavorable
A decision of unfitness to drive is notified.
The letter specifies the remedies and time limits for appeal.
The letter to you notifier the prefect's decision following the medical check indicates how to appeal.
You can make a litigation before the administrative judge.
You can also refer the matter to the Medical Appeals Board. The commission examines you, consults if necessary the certified doctor and sends its opinion to the prefect. If the prefect again makes an unfavorable decision, you can request a new medical check-up within 6 months of this decision or make a appeal to the administrative court.
Your appeal does not prevent the prefect's decision from applying.
General scenario
In Paris
The approach varies depending on the offense committed.
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Suspension for Alcohol or Narcotic Driving Offense
You can only get your license back if you have been recognized fit to drive as a result of the medical examination.
The application for a permit is made online on the website of theANTS: titleContent.
You must attach the following documents in digital format:
- Digital photo-signature. If you do not have access to a photo and digital signature service, you can fill out and send by post a photo-signature form (FPS) during the teleprocedure.
- Proof of identity
- Proof of address
- Form "Medical advice" delivered at the end of the medical check.
- Decision to suspend the driving license.
Driving license: application for manufacture following a suspension of the driving license
Warning
Check if the driver's license issued to you has a validity period limited to 6 months or 1 year. If this is the case, you will have to go through a medical check-up again at the end of this period.
Suspension for another offense
The approach varies depending on the length of the suspension.
Suspension of 1 month or less
You collect your license at your prefecture.
Suspension longer than 1 month
You can only get your license back if you have been recognized fit driving following the medical check.
The application for a permit is made online on the website of theANTS: titleContent.
You must attach the following documents in digital format:
- Digital photo-signature. If you do not have access to a photo and digital signature service, you can fill out and send by post a photo-signature form (FPS) during the teleprocedure.
- Proof of identity
- Proof of address
- Form "Medical advice" delivered at the end of the medical check
- Decision to suspend the driving license.
Driving license: application for manufacture following a suspension of the driving license
Warning
Check if the driver's license issued to you has a validity period limited to 6 months or 1 year. If this is the case, you will have to go through a medical check-up again at the end of this period.
Remedies are indicated on the decision to suspend the driving license.
You can make a administrative appeal to the prefect and a litigation before the administrative judge.
Medical reasons
The prefect may decide to suspend the driving license if the departmental medical commission or the approved doctor considers, after a medical check, that you are unfit to drive.
In addition, the prefect may decide to submit you to a medical check-up if he has information to estimate that your state of health may be incompatible with the maintenance of the license. Based on the medical opinion, the prefect can then decide to suspend your driver's license.
If you refuse to undergo a medical examination, the prefect may also decide to suspend your driving license.
The prefect will see you notified his decision by letter.
The letter specifies the remedies and time limits for appeal.
Undetermined
You have to pass a new one medical check before you can get your driver's license back.
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Administrative information by telephone - Allô Service Public
For more information on this subject, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Please note: the service does not have access to users' personal files and therefore cannot provide information on their progress.
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Prohibition of issuance, detention, suspension and cancelation
Administrative detention and suspension after finding of an infringement
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Organization of the medical check of driving ability
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