The different types of driving licence suspension
There are two types of driving licence suspension in France. Administrative suspension is decided by the prefect, usually following a positive alcohol or drugs test, before any court ruling. Judicial suspension is ordered by a court following a serious offence. The durations and recourse options differ depending on the type.
Which offences can lead to suspension?
The main offences that can lead to suspension are: drink driving (blood alcohol level equal to or above 0.5 g/L), driving under the influence of drugs, major speeding (more than 50 km/h above the limit), hit and run, endangering another person's life and accumulation of insufficient points (zero balance).
Suspension duration
The suspension length varies according to the severity of the facts: from a few days to several years. For administrative suspensions related to alcohol, it is generally 6 months for a level between 0.5 and 0.8 g/L, and can reach 1 year above that. Courts can go further in serious cases.
Your recourse options
Administrative appeal
For an administrative suspension, you can challenge the decision before the administrative court within 2 months of the notification. A specialist lawyer can help you build a case and, in some situations, obtain a reduction or cancellation of the suspension.
Adjusted suspension
In some cases, it is possible to obtain an adjustment of the suspension for professional necessity (driving limited to the home-to-work journey, during working hours). This option depends on the nature of the offence and must be requested from the prefect or judge.
How to get your licence back after suspension?
At the end of the suspension, you will generally need to pass a medical examination and, in some cases, a psychological assessment and a driving test. If your suspension was linked to a total loss of points, you must retake the full driving exam.
How to get the right guidance?
If you need to retake your licence following a cancellation or a lengthy suspension, DevisPermis.fr directs you to driving schools specialising in refresher training. Get a quote suited to your situation in 2 minutes.
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Frequently asked
Your questions on this topic
What are the causes of licence suspension in 2026?
5 main grounds: speeding by 40 km/h or more (suspension up to 3 years), alcohol between 0.5 and 0.8 g/l of blood (up to 3 years), drugs (up to 3 years), priority refusal or dangerous overtaking (up to 3 years), held phone with other offence (up to 6 months). Administrative prefectural suspension often precedes judicial suspension pronounced by the court.
What is the duration of a licence suspension?
The duration ranges from 1 month to 5 years depending on the offence. Administrative prefectural suspension lasts 6 months maximum (1 year for involuntary manslaughter). Judicial suspension can reach 3 years (5 years in case of recidivism or aggravating circumstances). Partial suspension outside working hours is possible (white licence) if driving is essential to employment.
How to contest a licence suspension?
The administrative appeal to the prefect must be filed within 2 months of notification, with supporting documents (professional necessity, procedural error). In parallel, a contentious appeal before the administrative court is possible within the same deadline. The help of a road law specialist lawyer (200 to 400 euros consultation) significantly increases chances of duration reduction.
What to do during your licence suspension?
Hand the licence back to the prefecture within 72 hours. Driving during suspension is an offence punishable by 2 years in prison and 4,500 euros fine. A medical visit and psychotechnical test are mandatory before return (180 euros total). For suspensions over 6 months, a mock theory exam may be required. Anticipate by preparing these exams from the 5th month of suspension.
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