Since 1 January 2024, the category B driving licence can be obtained from age 17 in France, down from 18. Two years after the reform, the scheme has been reviewed officially by the Ministry of the Interior in February 2025. In Paris and the inner suburbs, the measure has met with particular success: 448,000 new registrations in the first three quarters of 2024, up 24% from 2023. This article reviews the Paris numbers, explains access conditions and shares best practices for enrolling in 2026.
Driving licence at 17: what the law says in 2026
The decree of 21 December 2023 aligned the minimum age for the B licence with that of accompanied driving (AAC). Since 1 January 2024, any candidate can:
Enrol from age 15 in accompanied driving
Accompanied driving (AAC) still starts at age 15 with a minimum of 20 hours of lessons, followed by 3,000 accompanied kilometres over at least one year.
Take the theory test from age 15
The general theory test (code) can be sat from age 15. Its 5-year validity gives ample time to then prepare the practical.
Take the practical from age 17
Since 2024, the practical test is accessible from age 17. The licence is delivered but solo driving is only permitted from age 18 (before majority, the driver must be accompanied by an adult over 23 with a licence).
2024 review: the numbers that speak
The Ministry of the Interior published a full review of the scheme in February 2025. Key points, particularly relevant to Paris residents:
290,050 candidates aged 17 in 2024
Over 2024, 290,050 seventeen-year-olds sat the practical test, representing 33.7% of that age group. A massive adoption rate, far exceeding initial government forecasts.
73% pass rate, vs. 58% for all ages combined
Even more striking: 211,471 seventeen-year-olds obtained their licence in 2024, a 73% pass rate. This remarkable score is explained by a strong correlation with accompanied driving (AAC) - which many candidates at 17 had followed. The national AAC rate is indeed 75%, well above the average.
Marked success in inner Paris
The Ministry notes success « particularly marked in the inner Paris region ». Young Paris-area residents - Paris, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne - have massively adopted the measure, motivated by eased autonomy prospects in a region where mobility needs remain strong despite public transport.
No excess accident risk
Provisional 2024 figures on road accidents show that 17-year-old drivers do not have a higher accident rate than other age groups - a key argument that has validated the permanence of the scheme.
How to enrol at 17 in a Paris driving school in 2026?
1. Open your ANTS account
The first step is to create an account on ants.gouv.fr (National Secure Titles Agency) to obtain your NEPH (Harmonised Prefectural Registration Number), valid for 5 years. This number allows you to take the exams.
2. Compare Paris driving schools
Paris has around 400 driving schools. Prices vary strongly by arrondissement: 20-hour package from €1,400 in the 19th-20th, up to €2,800 in the 7th-8th-16th. The most efficient option is to compare several quotes - DevisPermis.fr does this for free in 48h.
3. Favour accompanied driving (AAC)
In Paris as elsewhere, AAC explains the 15-point gap between the 17-year-old pass rate (73%) and the national average (58%). It involves a supervisor (often a parent) and a family vehicle - sometimes a constraint in Paris where many families no longer own a car. AAC with school-provided vehicle solutions do exist.
4. Anticipate exam delays in Île-de-France
The average delay between registration and practical exam is 3 to 4 months in France, but can reach 5 to 6 months in Île-de-France in peak season. A candidate aiming for their licence by their 18th birthday should ideally enrol at around 16 and a half.
Benefits and cautions for a young Parisian
Benefit 1: autonomy for internships and student jobs
Paris has excellent public transport, but a licence at 17 opens access to summer jobs in the suburbs or provinces. Families with second homes also directly benefit from the measure.
Benefit 2: reduced young-driver insurance premium
Combining AAC + 17-year-old licence maximises young-driver insurance discounts. The 3-year probation period (vs. 2 for AAC alone) is in practice shorter since it starts from licence acquisition.
Caution: in Paris, a licence does not always mean owning a car
Paris parking costs (over €2,400/year for long-term resident permit in the centre), LEZ constraints and traffic saturation mean that a licence at 17 does not automatically translate to daily car use in Paris. Many young Parisians take it for holiday / family / province use.
Get a quote for a licence at 17 in Paris
DevisPermis.fr partner schools in Île-de-France all offer the AAC programme accessible from age 15. Our service is 100% free and without obligation: fill in the form in 2 minutes, a certified driving school in your arrondissement will contact you within 48 hours with a package adapted to your age, budget and school availability.
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