Introduced by the law of 12 June 2003 to reduce young-driver accident rates, the probationary licence frames skill ramp-up after obtaining the licence. In 2026, this scheme concerns about 820,000 new drivers/year in France. This guide explains point capital, duration, specific offences, obligations (A sticker, zero blood alcohol) and exit procedures.
Points during probation
After obtaining the B licence, capital points are 6 (instead of 12 in full licence). Adding the extra 6 points is gradual: +2 points/year for 3 years (AAC: +2/year for 2 years) provided no offence causes point loss. These 6 extra points are automatically credited by ANTS on anniversary dates, visible on your online account.
Probation duration
Three scenarios. B licence classic route: 3-year probation. AAC (supervised accompanied): 2-year. B with post-licence training 6-12 months: probation reduced to 2 years (classic) or 1.5 years (AAC). In case of point loss during probation, progression suspends until recovery.
Specific probation obligations
Three obligations apply to any probationary driver. 1) Display the « A » (Apprenti) red-on-white sticker at rear, visible and readable (article R.413-5 of the Highway Code). €22 flat fine for oversight. 2) Respect blood alcohol below 0.2 g/L (vs 0.5 g/L for full licences), i.e. virtually no consumption. 3) Respect reduced speed limits: 110 km/h instead of 130 on motorway, 100 instead of 110 on expressway, 80 instead of 90 non-urban (in effect since 2018).
A disc: fixing and penalties
The disc must be displayed for the full probation (2 or 3 years by route). Fixing via electrostatic adhesive or magnetic support; no drilling or permanent glue required. At probation end, the disc can be removed immediately. Some young drivers keep it anyway, sometimes to signal inexperience to other users (no obligation, penalty or legal benefit in this case).
Offences: specific scale
Some offences lose more points during probation than with full licence, discouraging risky behaviours. Examples: 20-30 km/h speeding: 2 points confirmed, 2 probation (identical). Alcohol 0.2-0.4 g/L: 6 points lost in probation (forbidden for them); 0 confirmed (tolerated). Phone at wheel: 3 points (identical). Priority failure: 4 points (identical). Note: beyond certain thresholds, loss can immediately invalidate the licence (6 points = probation invalidation).
Probation licence invalidation
If the probationary driver loses the total point capital (6 in year 1, 8 year 2, 10 year 3), the licence is automatically invalidated. « 48SI » letter sent by Prefecture by registered post. Obligation to return the licence within 10 days. No driving for at least 6 months. To recover the licence: new code + new practical + mandatory medical exam. Total cost: €1,000-1,500.
Frequent case: evening alcohol
A young driver having a single alcoholic drink (330 ml beer, 125 ml glass of wine) generally exceeds 0.2 g/L blood alcohol per INRS. Consequences: 6 points removed (direct invalidation in year 1), €135 fine, up to 3-year suspension, mandatory alcohol-interlock (EAD) on licence return. The rule is simple: zero blood alcohol throughout probation.
Recovering lost points
Two mechanisms recover points without waiting. 1) Road-safety awareness course (points recovery): 2 days, €220-280, max 4 points recovered, possible once every 24 months. 2) Natural time limit: points automatically recovered after 2-3 years without new offence, per severity. For probationary drivers, course recovery is particularly interesting as it avoids invalidation.
Invalidation vs suspension: don't confuse
Two different sanctions. Invalidation: total point loss, licence cancelled, need to retake the full exam. Suspension: administrative (prefect) or judicial (court) sanction, 1 month to 3 years, licence kept at the end. A young driver can cumulate both: a judicial suspension doesn't reduce their points; if the suspending offence also causes full point loss, invalidation and suspension stack.
Exiting probation: exact date
Probation end corresponds to issue-anniversary date + 2 or 3 years (or 1.5-2 with post-licence). Example: licence obtained 15 March 2024 in AAC, post-licence on 20 September 2024, probation end 15 September 2025. Capital then automatically 12. On this date, you can remove the A disc, allowed blood alcohol becomes 0.5 g/L, and max speeds rejoin the classic scale.
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