You live in France and have a driving licence issued:
- either by another European Union Member State (EU);
- or by another member country of the European Economic Area (EEA).
The national driving licences of European Union Member States are valid for
driving in France. Changing to a French licence is not compulsory.
Conditions:
- the licence must still be valid;
- you must have reached the minimum age required for driving the vehicle of
the equivalent category in France;
- your licence must not have been suspended, restricted or withdrawn in your
country of origin.
However, a change of licence is compulsory in the following cases:
- if you commit an offence in France resulting in your licence being
suspended, restricted or cancelled, or in a loss of points;
- if you have obtained the licence in exchange for a licence from a non-EU
or non-EEA country, with which no reciprocity agreement exists.
Deadline for Application
In the latter case, you must apply to exchange your licence for a French
licence within one year of moving to France.
How do you apply?
Contact the prefecture in your place of residence (in Paris, the police
headquarters). The application form must be accompanied by a photocopy of the
original driving licence.
Other documents to be produced
- The form must also be accompanied by a photocopy of the certificate of
residence.
- If you are a student, provide a photocopy indicating your status as a
student for a period of at least six months.
N.B.: when submitting the application, you must also produce the original
copies of these documents.
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2005
Reproduction is authorised.
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