Foreign license in Paris 2026: countries eligible for prefecture exchange

You now live in Paris or the Île-de-France region and you hold a foreign driving license? Exchanging your document for a French license is mandatory beyond a certain deadline. In 2026, the process is fully online via the ANTS website, but conditions vary greatly depending on the country of origin. Here is a precise guide to understand your rights and prepare your file.

License issued in an EU or EEA country

If your license was issued in an EU member state (Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Poland...) or in the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), it is valid in France for its entire validity period, with no mandatory procedure. Exchange is only required in case of loss, theft, damage, sanction (suspension, fictitious point deduction) or if you wish to voluntarily convert it to the French biometric format. Switzerland benefits from an equivalent agreement.

Special case of Switzerland and the United Kingdom

Since Brexit, the United Kingdom is no longer an EU member but benefits from an exchange agreement: British licenses can be exchanged without an exam during 1 year of residence in France. Beyond that, the holder must retake the theory and practical tests. Switzerland, outside the EU and EEA, retains a comparable bilateral agreement.

Non-EU countries with a bilateral agreement with France

About fifty countries have a reciprocal exchange agreement with France. The official list is published by decree and regularly updated. It includes: United States (but only some states like South Carolina, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin), Canada (most provinces), Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Japan, South Korea, Israel, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates.

For these countries, exchange is possible provided the conversion request is made within 12 months following the granting of the residence permit or the date of residence in France. Beyond the one-year deadline, exchange is permanently refused and the French theory and practical tests must be taken.

Countries without agreement: retaking the license

For all unlisted countries (China, Russia, India, most African countries outside specific agreements, some US states), no exchange is possible. The driver must register with a driving school and take the theoretical test (code) then the practical driving test. They can drive in France for 1 year with their foreign license accompanied by an official translation (except international license).

Building the ANTS file for Paris

The application is made on the ANTS site, in the 'Exchange a foreign license' section. For Paris, the police prefecture via the license department processes the file. Documents required: original foreign license (front-back scanned in color), translation by sworn translator for licenses not in French, proof of residence in France for more than 6 months, valid residence permit (for non-Europeans), approved digital ID photo, digital signature, ID document (national ID or passport), Cerfa 14879 form.

Processing times

Average processing time for an exchange file is 4 to 8 months in the Paris region, due to the very high volume handled by the police prefecture. During this time, the driver receives a request receipt (ADD) authorizing them to drive in France. This certificate can be printed from the ANTS personal area and presented during a check. Once the exchange is validated, the original foreign license is kept by French authorities and sent back to the country of origin.

Refusal cases and appeals

A file may be refused for several reasons: foreign license obtained after arrival in France, exceeding the one-year residency deadline, ineligible country, falsified document, non-sworn translation. In case of refusal, an administrative appeal is possible to the Paris police prefect within 2 months. If the refusal is confirmed, a litigation appeal to the administrative court remains open. In all cases where exchange is not possible, registering with a driving school is the only legal alternative.

Practical tips for a successful exchange

Anticipate: file the request as soon as you receive your residence permit, without waiting. Have your license translated by a sworn translator listed on the Paris court of appeal list (public list available online). Keep a digital copy of all documents sent. If your foreign license expires during processing, report it immediately to the service via ANTS messaging, otherwise your file may be rejected for 'invalid license'.