Can I drive in Metropolitan France with a license issued overseas?

Verified 22 August 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

It is possible to drive in Metropolitan France with a driving license obtained overseas. The rules vary according to the DROM-COM: titleContent.

You can drive in Metropolitan France with your license obtained in Drom: titleContent Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion.

Your driving license must be valid.

You can drive in metropolitan France with your license obtained in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.

Your driving license must be valid.

Driving license in metropolitan France

The following permits, valid, allow driving in Metropolitan France:

  • Permit obtained directly in a Com or in New Caledonia, without exchange procedure
  • Permit issued in a Com or in New Caledonia, in exchange for a permit European
  • Permit issued in a Com or in New Caledonia, in exchange for a non-European permit with which France practices reciprocal exchange of permits. For example, a permit issued in New Caledonia in exchange for a New Zealand permit.

Compulsory exchange for a metropolitan permit

Your driving license issued in a Com or in New Caledonia must be exchanged for a metropolitan permit in the following 3 cases:

  • The validity your license is coming to an end.
  • You're asking for a new category of the permit (extension).
  • You reside in metropolitan France and have committed a traffic offense that results in the withdrawal of points or a suspension of your driver's license.

Application for the exchange of a driving license

The request to exchange a driving license is made online on the website of theANTS: titleContent.

Exchange a foreigners or COM license for a French license

Documents to be provided

You must prepare the following documents according to your nationality. Documents complementary however, they may be requested depending on your situation.

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If you are French

Prepare the following documents in digital format:

  • Color image double-sided color of original driver's license
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of address less than 6 months
  • Digital photo-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 driving rights of less than 6 months issued by the authorities of the community that issued the driving license. This document verifies that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled.
  • 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.

If you are European

Prepare the following documents, in digital format, if you European :

  • Color image double-sided color of original driver's license
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of address less than 6 months
  • Digital photo-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 driving rights of less than 6 months issued by the authorities of the community that issued the driving license. This document verifies that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled.
  • Proof(s) normal residence in France at the date of the request (at least 185 days with personal and/or professional ties). For example, income tax/non-taxation notice, employment contract, social security certificate...
  • 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.

If you are a national of another State

Prepare the following documents in digital format:

  • Color image double-sided color of original driver's license
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of address less than 6 months
  • Digital photo-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.
  • Proof(s) of regularity of stay in France (residence permit or Ofii sticker on your passport)
  • Certificate of driving rights of less than 6 months issued by the authorities of the community that issued the driving license. This document verifies that your license has not been suspended, revoked or canceled.
  • 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.

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