Driving in France with a European license (EU/EEA)
Verified 22 August 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
You have a driver's license European and you wonder if there is a time limit to drive in France? We tell you what you need to know.
Warning
The rules are different if you want to drive in France with a foreigners license obtained outside Europe (EU/EEA) , whether it's for a short stay or a installation in France.
You can drive in France with a license European Union (EU/EEA) or a UK license obtained before 2021 if you meet all of the following conditions:
- Have a valid permit
- Credit memo the minimum age to drive the vehicle of the equivalent category of your license (17 years for permit B)
- Respect the medical prescriptions noted on your license. For example, glasses are mandatory.
- Born not have been sanctioned by a suspension, restriction or cancelation of your right to drive in the country where the license was issued
- Not having obtained your license during a period when you were prohibited in France from applying for a driving license.
You can drive in France with a license European obtained in exchange for a permit issued by a countries practicing reciprocal exchange of permits with France.
However, the use in France of a permit European is limited if it was obtained in exchange for a permit issued by a country not practicing reciprocity of permit exchange with France: you can use it only for 1 year from the acquisition of your normal residence in France. For example, you have a Spanish license obtained in exchange for a Chilean license.
However, this rule does not apply to you if you are a foreign studentr and have a student residence permit: your driving license is recognized throughout your studies in France.
You can drive in France with a license European Union (EU/EEA) or a UK permit issued before 2021 as long as it is valid.
The exchange of your European driving license for a French license is mandatory only in the following cases :
- The validity your license is coming to an end.
- You're asking for a new category of the permit (extension).
- You commit in France a traffic offense resulting in loss of points, restriction, suspension, or cancelation of your license.
- Your license is lost, stolen or deteriorated.
You can consult the Service-Public.fr file dedicated to the exchange of a European license (EU/EEA) for a French license.
Yes, if you wish, you can request the exchange of your license for a french license. The exchange is possible even if your European license is no longer valid.
The approach varies depending on whether you are settled in France or you are there for a short stay.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You are settled in France
If you are settled in France, the European countries (EU/EEA)) who issued your driver's license is no longer competent to renew it.
You must request the exchange of your european license for a french license.
You are in France for a short stay
In case of loss of your driving license European Union (EU/EEA) during a short stay in France, you must obtain a attestation on the validity and extent of your rights to drive. To drive, you must carry this certificate. It is valid in France for a maximum of 2 months.
Contact your consulate or embassy. Depending on the country, you may be referred to a body responsible for issuing the certificate.
Who shall I contact
When you return to your country, you will have to contact the competent authorities to obtain a new permit.
The approach varies depending on whether you are settled in France or you are there for a short stay.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You are settled in France
If you are settled in France, the European countries (EU/EEA)) who issued your driver's license is no longer competent to renew it.
You must request the exchange of your european license for a french license.
You are in France for a short stay
Declaration of theft
In case of theft of your driver's license European Union (EU/EEA) during a short stay in France, you must make a declaration of theft to the police station or the gendarmerie brigade. You are given a receipt that allows you to drive in France for 2 months.
Who shall I contact
Certificate on the validity and extent of your driving rights
You must also obtain an attestation on the validity and extent of your rights to drive. To drive, you must carry the certificate. It is valid in France for a maximum of 2 months. Contact your consulate or embassy. Depending on the country, you may be referred to a body responsible for issuing the certificate.
Who shall I contact
When you return to your country, you will have to contact the competent authorities to obtain a new permit.
If you commit a infringement in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine or a logging. In addition, depending on your nationality, you may be prosecuted and punished upon your return to your country.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You are Czech, Austrian, Belgian, Danish, German, Estonian, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Luxembourgish, Monegasque, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Swiss
The rules differ depending on your situation:
You have a home or a job in France
In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine.
If you were not immediately arrested in France, you may be prosecuted upon your return to your country for the following offenses
- Speeding
- Crossing a red light.
You receive a notice of violation written in the language of your country. The notice of contravention shall indicate, inter alia, the nature, date and time of the offense, the amount of the fine, the means of payment and the procedure for challenging the offense.
If necessary, a call center will inform you about your procedures:
Who shall I contact
You have a deposit approved by the administration (e.g. automobile-club, touring-club)
In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine.
If you were not immediately arrested in France, you may be prosecuted upon your return to your country for the following offenses
- Speeding
- Crossing a red light.
You receive a notice of violation written in the language of your country. The notice of contravention shall indicate, inter alia, the nature, date and time of the offense, the amount of the fine, the means of payment and the procedure for challenging the offense.
If necessary, a call center will inform you about your procedures:
Who shall I contact
You're in a different situation
In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine.
If you cannot pay the fine or if the offense committed is not punished by a lump sum fine, your vehicle can be withheld until payment of a logging. The public prosecutor take a decision within 24 hours of the finding of the infringement. The amount of the deposit varies depending on the seriousness of the offense. If you do not pay the deposit, your vehicle may be impounded. The costs are at your expense.
If you were not immediately arrested in France, you may be prosecuted upon your return to your country for the following offenses:
- Speeding
- Crossing a red light.
You receive a notice of violation written in the language of your country. The notice of contravention shall indicate, inter alia, the nature, date and time of the offense, the amount of the fine, the means of payment and the procedure for challenging the offense.
If necessary, a call center will inform you about your procedures:
Who shall I contact
You're from another country
The rules differ depending on your situation:
You have a home or a job in France
In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine.
If necessary, a call center will inform you about your procedures:
Who shall I contact
You have a deposit approved by the administration (e.g. automobile-club, touring-club)
In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine.
If necessary, a call center will inform you about your procedures:
Who shall I contact
You're in a different situation
In the event of a traffic offense in France, you may have to pay a flat-rate fine.
If necessary, a call center will inform you about your procedures:
Who shall I contact
If you cannot pay the fine or if the offense committed is not punished by a lump sum fine, your vehicle can be withheld until payment of a logging. The public prosecutor take a decision within 24 hours of the finding of the infringement. The amount of the deposit varies depending on the seriousness of the offense. If you do not pay the deposit, your vehicle may be impounded. The costs are at your expense.
On the same subject
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
To inquire in case of loss or theft of a European driving license during a short stay in France
Foreigners Embassy or Consulate in FranceTo obtain information on the procedures related to the driving license
Citizen Contact Center - Driver's License
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.
Recognition of foreigners driving licenses in France
FAQ
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
European Commission
Ministry of the Interior
European Commission
Prime Minister
