Updated April 24, 2026
Driving License in France for Expats
Yes, for Non-EU: 1 year from establishing résidence normale / from the issue date of your first long-stay title. EU/EEA: valid while the licence is in force.. After that, you must convert to a France license. The official test is only in French, but you can practice in English with AutoviaTest.
Key Facts: France Driving License for Expats
- Test Authority
- ANTS — Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés
- Official Test Language
- French
- Grace Period
- Non-EU: 1 year from establishing résidence normale / from the issue date of your first long-stay title. EU/EEA: valid while the licence is in force.
- Processing Time
- Currently very long: 3-12 months via ANTS (CERT de Nantes). An Attestation de Dépôt Sécurisée (ADS) lets you drive while the file is processed, within the limits of your foreign licence's recognition period.
- Theory Test Required
- Not for exchange
- Practical Test Required
- Not for exchange
- Medical Exam
- Not required
- Total Cost
- 40€ droit de timbre (from 1 May 2026) + sworn translation if required + ePhoto fee. Full-test path (non-reciprocal countries) costs significantly more via an auto-école (typically several hundred to over a thousand euros depending on package).
Eligibility by Nationality
EU/EEA Citizens
EU/EEA licences remain valid for driving in France while in force (service-public.fr «Échange d'un permis de conduire obtenu en Europe», F1758). Exchange is voluntary and only becomes mandatory if the licence is about to expire, needs a new category, is lost / stolen / damaged, or following a French points-loss sanction.
US/UK Citizens
UK / Northern Ireland: on the 2 mars 2026 réciprocité list with "Toutes" categories (cars and motorcycles). UK licences issued before 1 January 2021 remain recognised indefinitely until expiry; UK licences issued from 1 January 2021 onwards must be exchanged within 1 year of installation in France (service-public.fr + Ministère de l'Intérieur post-Brexit reciprocity communiqué). Requires a DVLA / DVA "Check Code" or équivalent (relevé d'information). USA: only 18 specific states are on the réciprocité list — see Exchange Agreements. Americans from non-listed states must pass the full Code de la route + practical tests.
Other Non-EU Citizens
Non-EU licences are valid in France for 1 year from the date you establish résidence normale (service-public.fr F1460, and the Arrêté du 12 janvier 2012 implementing article R. 222-3 du Code de la route). After that year you may only continue driving if you are from a country on the Ministère de l'Intérieur réciprocité list (mise à jour 2 mars 2026) AND you filed your échange before the deadline. Otherwise you must pass the full French theory (Code de la route) and practical exams.
Students
Holders of a carte de séjour temporaire « étudiant » or « élève » (or a special titre de séjour from the Ministère des Affaires étrangères) may drive on their foreign licence for the full duration of that stay, regardless of country of issue (Ministère de l'Intérieur, 2 mars 2026 réciprocité note). No exchange is possible during this period — exchange only becomes available once you transition to a long-term residence title.
Required Documents
- ✓Valid passport
- ✓Long-stay titre de séjour / visa (non-EU nationals) or proof of regular residence (EU nationals)
- ✓Proof of address less than 6 months old (justificatif de domicile)
- ✓Original physical foreign driving licence (electronic/dematerialised licences are not exchanged)
- ✓Colour scan of the front and back of the foreign licence
- ✓Sworn translation (traducteur assermenté) if the licence is not in French — not required for UK licences (English is accepted for UK)
- ✓Attestation des droits à conduire / relevé d'information from the issuing country less than 6 months old (for UK: DVLA/DVA "Check Code")
- ✓Digital photo + signature code (ePhoto via a photographe agréé)
- ✓Proof of payment of the 40€ droit de timbre (from 1 May 2026; 20€ in Guyane)
Costs Breakdown
- Conversion/Exam Fee
- Free until 30 April 2026. From 1 May 2026: 40€ droit de timbre (20€ in French Guiana) per the 2026 Finance Law — confirmed on service-public.fr F1460.
- Medical Exam
- Not required for an échange (réciprocité list). A medical assessment is only required for C/D heavy-vehicle categories or specific medical conditions.
- Translation
- Sworn-translator rate — only when the foreign licence is not in French (UK English is accepted without translation).
- Total Estimated
- 40€ droit de timbre (from 1 May 2026) + sworn translation if required + ePhoto fee. Full-test path (non-reciprocal countries) costs significantly more via an auto-école (typically several hundred to over a thousand euros depending on package).
License Exchange Agreements
Direct Exchange (No Test Required) · 111
License Exchange Agreements
Direct Exchange (No Test Required) · 111
EU / EEA countries (recognised under service-public.fr F1758 — voluntary exchange)— Non-EU réciprocité list (Ministère de l'Intérieur, mise à jour 2 mars 2026 — categories "Toutes" unless noted): —Afrique du SudAlgérieAndorreAntigua-et-BarbudaArabie SaouditeAustralie (A & B only)BahamasBahreïnBelizeBhoutanBirmanieBosnie-Herzégovine (B only)BotswanaBrésilBruneiBurundiCanada — Alberta, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Newfoundland & Labrador, Québec (all B only)Cap-VertChine (B only — licences issued from 1 April 2008)Corée du SudCosta RicaCôte d'Ivoire (A & B only)CubaDjiboutiLa DominiqueÉmirats arabes unisEswatiniÉthiopieGabonGibraltarGrenadeGuatemalaGuinée-BissauGuyanaHondurasHong KongÎles Anglo-Normandes (Jersey, Guernesey, Île de Man)Iran (B only)Jamaïque (A & B only)JaponJordanieKenyaKosovoKoweïtLibanLibériaMacaoMacédoine du NordMalawiMaliMarocMauriceMauritanieMoldavie (B only — licences issued from 1 January 2020)MonacoMonténégroMozambiqueNamibieNépalNicaraguaNigerNouvelle-ZélandeOmanPanamaParaguayPhilippinesQatar (A & B only)Royaume-Uni (incl. Northern Ireland)RussieSaint-Christophe-et-NiévèsSainte-LucieSaint-MarinSaint-Vincent-et-les-GrenadinesSalvadorSamoaSao Tomé-et-PrincipeSerbieSeychellesSierra LeoneSingapourSoudanSuisseSurinameTaïwanTchadTogoTunisieTurquieVanuatuVietnam— USA (per state, 18 states only): —Arkansas (B)Caroline du Sud (Toutes)Colorado (B)Connecticut (A & B)Delaware (B)Floride (A & B)Illinois (Toutes)Iowa (Toutes)Maryland (B)Massachusetts (B)Michigan (Toutes)New Hampshire (Toutes)Ohio (B)Oklahoma (B)Pennsylvanie (A & B)Texas (B)Virginie (B)Wisconsin (B)
No Agreement (Full Test Required): Countries not on the Ministère de l'Intérieur réciprocité list (updated 2 mars 2026) — notably India, Mexico, most of Latin America except those listed, and all US states not named above — must pass the full Code de la route (theory) and practical exams.
Tips for Expats in France
- The échange is fully online via permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr — there is no préfecture counter for this; all non-EU / non-EEA échanges are instructed by the CERT de Nantes.
- From 1 May 2026 the échange costs 40€ (droit de timbre — 2026 Finance Law). Until 30 April 2026 it remains free.
- The Code de la route exam is only in French — if you must take the full test, budget for an auto-école or intensive French practice.
- US nationals: only licences from 18 specific states are on the réciprocité list, and many are limited to Class B (cars). Check the 2 mars 2026 Ministère de l'Intérieur PDF before moving.
- UK licences issued before 1 January 2021 can continue to be used in France without an immediate échange — but an échange is still mandatory if the licence expires, is lost, or after a French points-loss sanction.
- An Attestation de Dépôt Sécurisée (ADS) lets you drive while ANTS processes your file — useful because current processing can take 3-12 months.
Verified
From a recent expat graduate
A real story from someone who got their licence as a foreigner
Passed in Chile
“I find the service invaluable. It helped me immensely and I am impressed by the format and content. First class!”I have now passed my driving theory test. The course and information was great and very helpful. The reason I had to take the test is because I am living in Chile which does not recognise the driver licence of my mother country.
Antony StaceyExpat
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the French driving test in English?
No. The official Code de la route theory examination is administered only in French. If you are not eligible for an échange (réciprocité), you will have to prepare for and pass the French exam. You can use English-language study tools to learn the rules, but the exam itself is in French only.
How long can I drive in France with my foreign licence?
A non-EU licence is valid for 1 year from the date you establish résidence normale in France (Arrêté du 12 janvier 2012, article R. 222-3 du Code de la route). For EU/EEA licences, you may continue driving while the licence remains in force — exchange is voluntary unless the licence expires, is lost, damaged, or you lose points after a French sanction (service-public.fr F1758).
Can I exchange my US licence for a French one?
Only if your licence was issued by one of the 18 US states on the Ministère de l'Intérieur réciprocité list (updated 2 mars 2026): Arkansas, Caroline du Sud, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Floride, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvanie, Texas, Virginie, Wisconsin. Most states are limited to Class B (passenger cars); only South Carolina, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and New Hampshire are "Toutes catégories". Licences from any other US state are not exchangeable, and the holder must pass the full French theory + practical exams.
Can I exchange my UK licence after Brexit?
Yes. The United Kingdom is on the 2 mars 2026 réciprocité list ("Toutes" catégories). Under the post-Brexit reciprocity agreement: UK licences issued before 1 January 2021 can continue to be used in France as long as they remain valid (échange only required upon expiry, loss, theft, damage or French points-loss). UK licences issued from 1 January 2021 onwards must be exchanged within 1 year of installation in France. A DVLA / DVA "Check Code" is required in the dossier.
How much does the licence exchange cost in 2026?
Until 30 April 2026 the échange is free of charge. From 1 May 2026 onwards a 40€ droit de timbre applies (20€ in French Guiana) per the 2026 Finance Law — confirmed on service-public.fr «Échange permis hors UE/EEE». Additional costs you may incur: sworn translation (if required for your country of issue) and an ePhoto fee at a photographe agréé.
Why is the ANTS échange process taking so long?
All non-EU échanges are centralised at the CERT (Centre d'Expertise et de Ressources Titres) de Nantes, which has significant backlogs. Processing times currently range from several months to around a year depending on the country of issue and whether document authentication is needed. File your dossier as early as possible within your 1-year window, and use your Attestation de Dépôt Sécurisée (ADS) to drive while you wait.
What is the Attestation de Dépôt Sécurisée (ADS)?
Once the ANTS / CERT de Nantes receives your original foreign licence, you can download an Attestation de Dépôt Sécurisée from your ANTS online account. The ADS authorises you to drive in France while your file is being processed, within the limits of your foreign licence's recognition period (the 1-year window for non-EU, or the indefinite validity of an EU licence). Carry it with you as you would the licence itself.
Do I need a sworn translation of my foreign licence?
You need a sworn (assermenté) French translation whenever your licence is issued in a language other than French. UK English is accepted without a translation on the ANTS platform. For most other non-EU countries, a sworn translation is required — ANTS publishes the specific rule per country on the online échange workflow.
What if I miss the 1-year exchange deadline?
If you fail to deposit your ANTS dossier within 1 year of establishing résidence normale (for non-EU holders from reciprocity-list countries), you lose the right to an échange. From that point you are no longer allowed to drive on your foreign licence and you must pass the full French Code de la route theory + practical exams to obtain a French permit.
Can students drive on their foreign licence in France?
Yes. Holders of a carte de séjour temporaire « étudiant » or « élève », or a special titre de séjour issued by the Ministère des Affaires étrangères, may drive on their foreign licence for the full validity of that stay regardless of country of issue (Ministère de l'Intérieur 2 mars 2026 réciprocité notice). No échange is available during the student status — échange only becomes possible once you move to a long-term titre de séjour.
Which Canadian provinces allow direct exchange with France?
Eight Canadian provinces / territories are on the 2 mars 2026 réciprocité list, all limited to Class B (cars): Alberta, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Québec. Canadians holding a B-class licence from one of those provinces can exchange without tests; other Canadian jurisdictions must take the full French tests.
Are electronic or digital driving licences exchangeable?
No. The French échange procedure explicitly requires a physical driving licence because the regulation obliges the applicant to surrender the original when filing the dossier. Electronic or dematerialised foreign licences are not accepted for échange (Ministère de l'Intérieur, 2 mars 2026 réciprocité notice). If your country of issue only provides a digital licence, contact the issuing authority to obtain a physical version before applying.
Is a French licence valid across the rest of the EU?
Yes. The permis de conduire français is issued in the harmonised EU format and is recognised throughout the EU / EEA without further exchange. If you later move within the EU you keep using your French licence until it expires or needs to be replaced under the destination country's rules (for example §28 FeV in Germany).