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French Driving License: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
How to Get a French Driving License

It is a great idea to learn driving at a school if you are an ex-pat. They will take care of all paperwork and reduce your wait for a test.

It could take anywhere from a couple of weeks or even months to get your French license (permis de conduire) that comes in the form of a pink credit card.

Theory test

The driving theory test, also known as le code, is the most important step in the French licensing process for drivers. You can prepare for the test by reading a manual and using mobile apps to aid you learn. The test covers road safety and traffic laws. You may also take a no-cost online practice test. The test is conducted digitally at the testing center using tablets. You must answer correctly 35 questions to pass.


As in many countries, you can get the French driving licence after passing both the theory and practical tests. However the French driving test is known for being difficult. According to recent statistics that only 59.2 percent of males and 54.4% of women passed their theory test on their first attempt. The success rate for the practical test was even lower at 58.6 percent for men and 52.8 percent for women. For those with disabilities or health conditions might require additional tests.

You can take the theory test at a driving school which will arrange your lessons and the test for you, or you could take it as an individual candidate. To do this you must sign up for a "NEPH Prefectoral Number" harmonise" on the website of the government agency ANTS. This number is required to reserve an appointment for a test in theory.

Many driving schools, such as Pass Rousseau, offer online preparation courses that mix live classes with online practice. These courses are expensive, but could save you time. Some schools, like Fehrenbach cater to English students. However, they are more expensive than a standard French driving school.

If you have valid driving licenses from a country that is part of the European Union, you can exchange it for an French licence if you hold a residence permit in France. The process is lengthy, and you must provide the official translator.

You can still take the test if you don't speak French by using a translator. You can take the written test any number of times you wish and without a waiting time. The cost of a standard test in theory is EUR30.

Practical test

If you wish to drive a vehicle in France, you must pass a theory exam (known as le Code) and a practical test. You can take both exams via a driving school, which will organise the tests and lessons for you, or you can take them on your own as an external candidate. If you choose to be an independent candidate, you will need to register for a NEPH number - Numero Prefectural harmonise, d'enregistrement on the official website of the government agency ANTS.

passez votre permis de conduire dès 749€ – 599€ is known as le Code and consists of 40 multiple-choice tests that cover topics such as traffic laws, road safety rules and driving rules. There are free study guides and practice applications on the internet, or purchase an Code de la Route book from a bookshop or online. It is possible to achieve an "A" grade if you score 20 or more points, provided you don't make any eliminatory mistakes (crossing a solid line, driving to the left, failing to respect the stop sign, or not following priority rules).

During the test, a judge will assess your ability to drive under normal traffic conditions in the car you choose. The test consists of 25 minutes of driving, and will last for about two hours total. The examiner will also ask you to demonstrate your understanding of basic first aid. The test is taken five times over three years.

You can take a tutor along to the test as an external candidate. However, they cannot charge more than a lesson. However, if you are studying at an accredited driving school, they can send an instructor to accompany you during the test. If you fail the test, you are able to repeat it at as many times as you want within the next five years.

It is important to note that the theory and the practice tests are both conducted in French and you'll need to have an adequate level of proficiency in the French language. It's best to plan ahead and start learning as early as possible, even before you move to France. The test can be challenging for non-French speakers, and you must aim to attain a decent level of proficiency by the time you take the test.

Passing the test

There are a few points that new drivers need to know before taking the test for their French driving license. They must pass both the theory and the practical exam before they can drive on French roads. They also must be insured on their car and purchase a pollution tag ("conduit accompagnée").

Le code is the initial step. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and an oral explanation. The second step involves taking the practical test which is a harder exam and requires lots of practice. The examiner will ask you to prove your knowledge of the rules of the road and what you should do in an emergency for instance, if someone is injured badly or unconscious.

After having passed the theory and practical test After passing the test, you will receive a document called a certificat d'examen de permis de conduire. This document is valid for 4 months and can be downloaded onto your smartphone or tablet. This is what you need to show the police if you are stopped. The word "favorable", which will be at the bottom of the document is where it will be noted.

Your driver's license needs to be renewed every 15 years. This can be done by filling out an administrative form and paying an amount. You will also need to provide proof of your identity and address. You can do this online or in person at the local prefecture. You can track the status of your license online by entering your file number and personal code.

It is important to know the French demerit points system in addition to the driving regulations. You can lose your driving license if commit a serious offense or accumulate too many points. You can also lose your license if do not pay fines or been involved in a serious accident.

It is also crucial to be aware of the fact that France operates on the right side of the road and that priority is given to traffic coming from the right. Also, it is important to keep in mind that the speed limit on national and departmental roads is 80 km/h. However the speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h for local roads and in cities.

Getting your license

If you've recently completed your French driving test or are an expat driver moving to France getting a license in the country can be quite a challenge. There are certain regulations and licence prerequisites that you should be aware of to avoid being pulled over by the police or having an accident because of insufficient driving documents. To avoid any issues, it's best to get an International Driving Permit in advance. This tiny piece of paper has to be carried when traveling abroad. It converts your driver's license into multiple foreign languages. These are inexpensive ($20) and are easily obtainable from your local AAA branch. Even car rental companies accept these.

For most expats, they can swap their license for one with a French one if the country of origin has a reciprocal arrangement with France. The process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, dependent on the amount of activity in the prefecture. You'll need a identification proof, two recent passport photos, a medical certificate and two envelopes addressed to yourself.

If you don't have a valid identification or your driving licence from another country has expired, you'll have to pass both a theory and practical test prior to obtaining an official license. Those with disabilities or specific medical conditions may have to take additional tests.

If you are the latter scenario, a test will be administered by an expert doctor who will evaluate your ability to drive. The test consists of a formal examination and a drive in a parking area and an interview with the examiner.

French drivers must carry their driving license and registration for their vehicle at all time. French drivers also need to carry an insurance policy for their cars and other vehicles. It is advisable to speak with your insurance provider to make sure your policy includes driving in France and is up to date.

The process of getting your license in the country of your new home may seem daunting, but with a little preparation and the assistance of a driving school, it is easy. While you don't need a driving school to obtain your French driving license, they can help you with the process by taking care of the paperwork and scheduling your appointment for you.

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