What to do right now
Loss: declare online or at a sub-prefecture
Loss is declared directly on ANTS when requesting the duplicate, without a police station. Simplified in 2022.
Theft: mandatory police report
For a theft, go to the police or gendarmerie and file a complaint to get a "theft declaration receipt". This document is then used for the ANTS request and serves as proof in case of impersonation.
Request a duplicate on ANTS
Required documents
Recent e-photo, proof of address under 6 months, ID document, theft receipt (if applicable), €25 electronic tax stamp.
Where to buy the tax stamp?
Directly on timbres.impots.gouv.fr (card or Paypal). The emailed code is entered in your ANTS request.
Delays and driving in the meantime
Average 2026 delay
2 to 4 weeks to receive the new biometric licence. Since 2024, the delay has stabilised around 3 weeks in the regions, 4-6 weeks in Île-de-France.
Can you drive with the receipt?
Yes! An ANTS receipt confirming registration is valid for 2 months as proof of your right to drive in France. However, it is not recognised abroad.
Special cases
Damaged or unreadable licence
Same procedure as for a loss: €25 duplicate. The old licence must be sent back with the request.
Theft abroad
File a complaint locally, keep the translated receipt if possible. On return, follow the standard ANTS procedure + file a new complaint in France if the foreign one isn’t accepted.
Pre-2013 licence lost
All the old "pink licences" are converted to biometric format upon duplicate. You will therefore receive a credit-card-sized title, regardless of the appearance of your previous licence.
What if I find my licence afterwards?
As soon as the duplicate request is validated, the old licence is invalidated in the databases. Even if found again, it is no longer valid: driving with it is an offence. Discard it (or return it to the prefecture).
Tips to avoid losing it again
Digitise your licence on France Identité (official mobile app launched in 2023): in case of a check, the digital licence is accepted since 2025. Photocopy your licence and store the copy safely. Enable bank alerts for card anomalies (which often disappear together).
Next step
How to get the right support?
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Frequently asked
Your questions on this topic
What to do if you lose your driving licence?
3 steps: 1) loss declaration directly on ANTS (no police report required), 2) duplicate request with ID, proof of residence, e-photo and 25 EUR tax stamp, 3) printable receipt acting as a 2-month provisional licence. Biometric licence delivered in 2 to 4 weeks. The loss declaration automatically invalidates the old licence: do not find it again and use it.
What to do if your driving licence is stolen?
3 mandatory steps: 1) file a complaint at gendarmerie or police station (free, within 24 hours), 2) ANTS request with scanned complaint receipt, supporting documents and 25 EUR stamp, 3) duplicate receipt valid 2 months as a licence. The complaint is mandatory in case of theft (unlike loss) to open an investigation and prevent fraudulent use of the old one.
How much does a driving licence duplicate cost?
25 EUR tax stamp in 2026 for loss, theft or deterioration of the biometric licence. Buy online on timbres.impots.gouv.fr (card payment, code received by email) or at a tobacconist. No hidden cost: no ANTS file fee, no e-photo cost to re-pay if still valid. Realistic total: 30 to 40 EUR with photo.
Can you drive with the duplicate receipt?
Yes, the duplicate request receipt acts as a provisional licence in France for 2 months, subject to presenting it with ID. Limits: not valid abroad (except Belgium and Luxembourg), not accepted by car rental companies who require a biometric licence. Printable in black and white or colour from the ANTS account, presentable on smartphone or paper.
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