Which foreign licences can be exchanged in France?
France has concluded licence exchange agreements with many countries. Licences from EU member states are automatically recognised and exchangeable without an exam. For non-EU countries, it depends on bilateral agreements: around fifty countries are covered, including the United States, Canada, Morocco, Tunisia and Japan.
When must you exchange your licence?
If you become a habitual resident of France, you must exchange your licence within one year of your first vehicle registration in France or of establishing your residence in France. For EU licences, you can drive in France with your original licence for as long as it is valid.
The licence exchange procedure
For EU/EEA licences
Exchanging an EU licence for a French one is done online via the ANTS (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés). You provide your original licence, proof of identity, proof of address and a photo. Your French licence is posted to you within a few weeks.
For non-EU licences
For non-EU licences, the procedure is similar but may involve an authenticity check with the issuing country's authorities. In some cases, a theory or practical test may be required if the licence does not meet the necessary conditions.
What if your licence cannot be exchanged?
If your foreign licence is not exchangeable (no bilateral agreement, expired licence, residence exceeding 1 year before the application), you must retake the French driving test in full. Your driving experience will nonetheless be taken into account by driving schools when determining the number of training hours.
What does a licence exchange cost?
The exchange itself is inexpensive (around €25 in stamp duty). If you need to retake the test, costs are those of standard training (€1,200 to €2,500), but often reduced given your prior experience.
How to get the right guidance?
DevisPermis.fr directs you to driving schools specialising in welcoming foreign drivers and handling licence exchanges. Fill in the form selecting 'Foreign Licence' to receive contact details for partner schools in your department.
Next step
How to get the right support?
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Frequently asked
Your questions on this topic
How to exchange your foreign licence in France in 2026?
The request is made exclusively on ANTS within the year following normal residence in France. Documents required: original licence, sworn translation if non-European, proof of address, ID photo, proof of normal residence 185 days per year. Delays reach 6 to 12 months in 2026. During processing, you keep your valid foreign licence.
Which countries are authorised to exchange their licence in France?
All EEA countries (EU plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and the UK benefit from automatic exchange. Outside the EEA, about 100 countries have bilateral agreements with France (Canada, USA partial by State, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Japan, South Korea). The official list is on diplomatie.gouv.fr. Without agreement, you must retake theory and driving in full in France.
How long does a foreign licence remain valid in France?
A European licence remains valid until expiry without mandatory procedure. A non-EEA licence is valid 1 year after establishing normal residence in France (185 days per year). Beyond this delay without an exchange request filed, the licence is no longer recognised. The request must be made on ANTS within this 12-month period or you must retake the French licence.
What administrative fees apply to convert a foreign licence?
The ANTS conversion itself is free, but several administrative fees apply: sworn translation (30 to 80 euros per page for non-European licences), approved photo (5 to 10 euros) and possibly a medical exam (36 euros for certain C, D and professional categories). The French biometric licence issued after conversion is free unless lost or stolen later (25 euros tax stamp). Expect a total budget of 50 to 150 euros depending on the situation.
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