Judicial cancelation of a driver's license after an offense

Verified 01 April 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Following a infringement serious, the judge decided to cancel your driver's license? This means that you have the driving ban. We tell you the steps to take to obtain a new license.

What applies to you ?

You have the license:

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      FYI  

      Following a serious traffic offense, several procedures may lead to the withdrawal of a driving license: invalidation, the administrative suspension, the judicial suspension and judicial cancelation of the permit.

      You have been licensed for 3 years or more

      Step-by-step approach

      You must surrender your driver's license on the day of the judgment or subsequently with the law enforcement authorities, according to the judicial procedure (trial before the criminal court, criminal composition, criminal order,appearance on prior admission of guilt).

      The decision to judicially cancel the permit shall state the remedies and time limits.

      The main infringements which may result in the cancelation of the driving license are the following:

      Refusing to surrender your license is punishable by 2 years' imprisonment and €4,500 of a fine. You also risk additional penalties following:

      You must inform your insurance in case of withdrawal of driving license.

      You must inform him by registered letter with AR: titleContent within a period of 15 days from the notification the withdrawal of a driving license.

      Judicial annulment entails the driving ban a vehicle whose driving requires a license.

      Driving while the license is canceled is punishable by 2 years' imprisonment and €4,500 of a fine. You also risk additional penalties following:

      • Compulsory vehicle confiscation. However, the judge may not pronounce the confiscation sentence provided that state the reasons for its decision.
      • Suspension of the permit for a period of up to 3 years, without any possible arrangement outside the professional activity
      • Sentence of community service
      • Sentence of fine days
      • Prohibition to drive certain vehicles, including vehicles without a license, for a maximum period of 5 years
      • Obligation to perform, at your expense, a road safety awareness course.

      Your vehicle can be immobilized and impounded.

      FYI  

      If the judge's decision does not apply to motorized light mopeds and quadricycles, you can apply for a driver's license with the only category AM (road safety certificate). The request is made online on the website of France Titres - ANTS.

      If you wish to drive at the end of the driving ban period, you must take a psychotechnical exam.

      To take this exam, you must wait until the end of the driving ban period.

      You must make an appointment with a psychologist registered with the prefect. The exam lasts minimum 40 minutes. It includes a individual interview, and 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 case
      Who shall I contact
      In Paris
      Who shall I contact

      Please note

      Check in the letter of notification cancelation of the license if you need to do other medical examinations.

      If you wish to drive at the end of the driving ban period, you must undergo a medical examination, called medical check.

      To pass this check mmedical, you must wait until the end of the driving ban period.

      1Make an appointment

      The approach varies depending on the offense committed.

      Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

      Offense related to alcohol or narcotics

      You need to make an appointment to the medical commission on the website of your prefecture. It may also be, by decision of the prefect, the medical commission of the department where you committed the offensen.

      General case
      Who shall I contact

      Other offense

      You have to go to 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 licensed 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.

      2Prepare documents provide 

      On the day of the inspection, prepare the following documents:

      • Cerfa form n°14880 pre-filled
      • Proof of identity
      • Decision to Cancel the License and Letter of notification of the decision
      • Results of medical examinations if requested in the notification letter
      • Result of the psychotechnical examination.

      3Pass the medical check

      The medical check is about your physical fitness, cognitive and sensory to drive.

      You must present yourself with the results of medical examinations requested in the letter of notification cancelation of the permit. Some further examinations and the advice of qualified health professionals may be requested.

      The licensed physician may also request that you be summoned to the departmental medical commission. You must then make an appointment on the website of your prefecture.

      General case
      Who shall I contact
      In Paris
      Who shall I contact

      4Pay for medical check-up

      The price of medical check-ups performed by a licensed physician is set to €36.

      The price of medical check-ups carried out by a certified doctor sitting on a departmental committee is set to €50.

      The health insurance does not cover the costs of the check-up or any additional examinations.

      5Keep the result of the medical check

      The approach varies depending on whether the opinion is favorable or unfavorable.

      Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

      If the opinion is favorable

      The medical opinion is given to you.

      The medical opinion has a validity of 2 years.

      This document is to be attached to your application for the driver's license examination.

      If the opinion is unfavorable

      A decision of unfit to drive is yours 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 approved doctor and sends its opinion to the prefect. If the prefect again makes an unfavorable decision, you can request a new medical examination within 6 months of this decision or make a appeal to the administrative judge.

      Your appeal does not prevent the prefect's decision from applying.

      General case

      Who shall I contact

      In Paris

      Who shall I contact

      The rules vary depending on the duration of the driving ban.

      Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

      1 year or more

      Before you take the permit tests, you must sign up for the exam.

      Registration for the examination is only possible at the end of the driving ban period.

      Registration for the permit examination is made online on the website of France Titres -ANTS: titleContent. Prepare the following documents in a photographed or scanned version:

      Driver's license: application for registration in the context of a return to the license (following an invalidation or cancelation of the driving license)

      After the examination of your request, you will receive an email certificate of registration (or return to license form).

      The certificate shall specify in particular:

      • The categories of license and tests (code or code + conduct) that you must retake
      • Until what date you are banned from driving.

      Less than 1 year

      You must sign up for the permit review in a period of 9 months from the end of the period of prohibition to apply for a new driving license.

      Registration for the examination is only possible at the end of the driving ban period.

      Registration for the permit examination is made online on the website of France Titres - ANTS: titleContent. Prepare the following documents in a photographed or scanned version:

      Driver's license: application for registration in the context of a return to the license (following an invalidation or cancelation of the driving license)

      After the examination of your request, you will receive an email certificate of registration (or return to license form).

      The certificate shall specify in particular:

      • The license categories and tests you need to retake
      • Until what date you are banned from driving.

      The rules vary depending on the duration of the driving ban.

      Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

      1 year or more

      Once registered for the exam, you can retake the driver's license.

      Passing the license is only possible at the end of the driving ban period.

      If you had your license for 3 years or more, and one driving ban during 1 year or more, you must replay the code and driving.

      If you had multiple categories of the permit, you must retake the practical tests of each category.

      The date used to calculate the 3-year seniority period of the permit is the date of obtaining the 1re category.

      FYI  

      If successful, you get a probationary permit. You get the class of license you had before your invalidation, or the equivalent class if the rules have changed in the meantime.

      Less than 1 year

      Once registered for the exam you can retake the driver's license.

      Passing the license is only possible at the end of the driving ban period.

      If you had your license for 3 years or more, and one prohibition to drive less than 1 year, you must only retake the theoretical test (code).

      But you must be registered for the permit examination on the website of France Titres - ANTS: titleContent  within a period of 9 months from the end of the period of prohibition on applying for a new license. If you do not meet these conditions, you must iron again the code and driving.

      FYI  

      If successful, you get a probationary permit. You get the class of license you had before your invalidation, or the equivalent class if the rules have changed in the meantime.

      If you have passed the exams, you can apply for your driver's license. However, you must wait until the end of the period of prohibition to obtain the issuance of a new permit (duration fixed by the judge).

      Obtaining a driver's license when you are prohibited from doing so is punishable by 2 years in prison and €4,500 of a fine. You also risk additional penalties following:

      Your vehicle can be immobilized and impounded.

      Ask your driving school if they are applying for your driver's license or if it is up to you to apply.

      If it is up to you to ask, the process is done online on the website of France Titres - ANTS: titleContent. Prepare the following documents in a photographed or scanned version:

      Driver's license: request for manufacture in the context of a return to the license (following a invalidation or cancelation of the driver's license)

      You will find the category A of the driver's license if you meet the following 4 conditions:

      • You had the license for 3 years or more at the time of cancelation of the license
      • You were prohibited from applying for a new license for a period of less than 1 year
      • You have registered for the permit review within 9 months of the end of the prohibition period to apply for a new permit
      • You have ironed the motorcycle code (motorcycle theory test).

      If you do not meet these 4 conditions, you first get the permit A2 and you'll have to undergo training to obtain permit A.

      You have had the license for less than 3 years

      Step-by-step approach

      You must surrender your driver's license on the day of the judgment or subsequently to the police, according to the judicial procedure (trial before the criminal court, criminal composition, criminal order,appearance on prior admission of guilt).

      The decision to judicially cancel the permit shall state the remedies and time limits.

      The main infringements which may result in the cancelation of the driving license are the following:

      • Driving under the influence of alcohol or in a state of obvious intoxication
      • Driving after use of narcotics
      • Refusal to submit to blood alcohol or drug testing
      • Refusal to comply
      • Violation of the prohibition to drive only a vehicle equipped with a EAD: titleContent
      • Refusal to surrender license after suspension or cancelation
      • Driving without car insurance
      • Exceeding 50 kilometers per hour or more at the maximum authorized speed
      • Manslaughter and unintentional injury.

      Refusing to surrender your license is punishable by 2 years' imprisonment and €4,500 of a fine. You also risk additional penalties following:

      You must inform your insurance in case of withdrawal of driving license.

      You must inform him by registered letter with AR: titleContent within a period of 15 days from the notification the withdrawal of a driving license.

      Judicial annulment entails the driving ban a vehicle whose driving requires a license.

      Driving while your license is canceled is punishable by 2 years in prison and €4,500 of a fine. You also risk additional penalties following:

      • Compulsory vehicle confiscation. However, the judge may not pronounce the confiscation sentence provided that state the reasons for its decision.
      • Suspension of the permit for a period of up to 3 years, without any possible arrangement outside the professional activity
      • Sentence of community service
      • Sentence of fine days
      • Prohibition to drive certain vehicles, including vehicles without a license, for a maximum period of 5 years
      • Obligation to perform, at your expense, a road safety awareness course.

      Your vehicle can be immobilized and impounded.

      FYI  

      If the judge's decision does not apply to motorized light mopeds and quadricycles, you can apply for a driver's license with the only category AM (road safety certificate). The request is made online on the website of France Titres - ANTS: titleContent.

      If you wish to drive at the end of the driving ban period, you must pass a psychotechnical examination.

      To take this exam, you must wait until the end of the driving ban period.

      You must make an appointment with a psychologist registered with the prefect. The exam lasts minimum 40 minutes. It includes a individual interview and 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 case
      Who shall I contact
      In Paris
      Who shall I contact

      Please note

      check in the letter of notification cancelation of the license if you need to do other medical examinations.

      If you wish to drive at the end of the driving ban period, you must undergo a medical examination, called medical check.

      To pass this check mmedical, you must wait until the end of the driving ban period.

      1Make an appointment

      The approach varies depending on the offense committed.

      Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

      Offense related to alcohol or narcotics

      You need to make an appointment to the medical commission on the website of your prefecture. It may also be, by decision of the prefect, the medical commission of the department where you committed the offensen.

      General case
      Who shall I contact

      Other offense

      You have to go to 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 licensed 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.

      2Prepare documents provide 

      On the day of the inspection, prepare the following documents:

      • Cerfa form n°14880 pre-filled
      • Proof of identity
      • Decision to Cancel the License and Letter of notification of the decision
      • Results of medical examinations if requested in the notification letter
      • Result of the psychotechnical examination.

      3Pass the medical check

      The medical check is about your physical fitness, cognitive and sensory to drive.

      You must present yourself with the results of medical examinations requested in the letter of notification cancelation of the permit. Some further examinations and the advice of qualified health professionals may be requested.

      The licensed physician may also request that you be summoned to the departmental medical commission. You must then make an appointment on the website of your prefecture.

      Who shall I contact

      4Pay for medical check-up

      The price of medical check-ups performed by a licensed physician is set to €36.

      The price of medical check-ups carried out by a certified doctor sitting on a departmental committee is set to €50.

      The health insurance does not cover the costs of the check-up or any additional examinations.

      5Keep the result of the medical check

      The approach varies depending on whether the opinion is favorable or unfavorable.

      Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

      If the opinion is favorable

      The medical opinion is given to you.

      The medical opinion has a validity of 2 years.

      This document is to be attached to your application for registration to the driving license examination.

      If the opinion is unfavorable

      A decision of unfit to drive is yours 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 approved doctor and sends its opinion to the prefect. If the prefect again makes an unfavorable decision, you can request a new medical examination within 6 months of this decision or make a appeal to the administrative judge.

      Your appeal does not prevent the prefect's decision from applying.

      General case

      Who shall I contact

      In Paris

      Who shall I contact

      Before you take the permit tests, you must register for the exam .

      To register for the exam, you must wait until the end of the driving ban period.

      Registration for the permit examination is made online on the website of France Titres - ANTS: titleContent. Prepare the following documents in a photographed or scanned version:

      Driver's license: application for registration in the context of a return to the license (following an invalidation or cancelation of the driving license)

      Once your request is reviewed, you will receive an email certificate of registration (or return to license form).

      The certificate shall specify in particular:

      • The categories of licenses and tests you need to retake
      • Until what date you are banned from driving.

      Once you have registered for the exam, you can take part in the permit tests.

      To retake the license, you must wait until the end of the driving ban period.

      Considering you had the license for less than 3 years on the date of its cancelation, you must ironing the code and conduct.

      If you had multiple categories of the permit, you must retake the practical tests of each category.

      The date used to calculate the 3-year seniority period of the permit is the date of obtaining the 1re category.

      FYI  

      If successful, you get a probationary permit. You get the class of license you had before your invalidation, or the equivalent class if the rules have changed in the meantime.

      If you have passed the exams, you can apply for your license. However, you must wait until the end of the period of prohibition to obtain the issuance of a new permit (duration fixed by the judge).

      Obtaining a driver's license when you are prohibited from doing so is punishable by 2 years in prison and €4,500 of a fine. You also risk additional penalties following:

      Your vehicle can be immobilized and impounded.

      Ask your driving school if they are applying for your license or if it is up to you to apply.

      If it is up to you to ask, the process is done online on the website of France Titres - ANTS: titleContent. Prepare the following documents in a photographed or scanned version:

      Driver's license: request for manufacture in the context of a return to the license (following a invalidation or cancelation of the driver's license)

      If you had the license for less than 3 years at the time of cancelation of your license, you do not find directly the category A of the license. You first get the permit A2 and you'll have to undergo training to obtain permit A.

      Driver's License - Medical Advice

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