Prepare and pass the ETG
Highway Code
The General Theory Test (ETG), commonly known as the highway code, is a mandatory step for all ground-based driving licenses. It can be sat at State-approved operators: La Poste, Objectif Code SGS and Pointcode. Official exam fee is set at €30 (tax stamp). Preparation can be done in a classroom at an approved driving school, online or via an app. The ETG comprises 40 multiple-choice questions covering 10 topics (signage, driver, road, other users, first aid, environment, mechanics, safety, mobility, risk-taking). Good preparation allows you to achieve the 35 correct answers out of 40 needed to pass. Validity: 5 years to take the practical exam. According to ONISR, the first-attempt pass rate for the ETG is around 60%.
The essentials
The French highway code (ETG, Theoretical General Test) is the mandatory exam to obtain a driving licence: 40 multiple-choice questions on a tablet at one of three approved operators (La Poste, Objectif Code SGS, Pointcode). Official fee: EUR 30 (tax stamp). Pass mark: 35 correct answers out of 40. Validity: 5 years to take the practical exam. Preparation in approved driving school, online or via a mobile app.
How it works
01
ETG registration
The driving school registers you on the national portal. Your NEPH number is assigned.
02
Preparation
Regular practice in classroom and/or online. Aim to master the most frequently tested topics.
03
ETG exam
40 questions, 35 correct answers required. Immediate result. Valid for 5 years.
What's included
- Unlimited access to the highway code classroom
- Access to an online highway code platform
- Entry for the official ETG exam
- Re-entry if unsuccessful (8-day gap)
Prerequisites
- Be at least 15 years old
- Be enrolled at an approved driving school (required to sit the official exam)
Frequently asked questions
How long is the highway code valid?
The ETG is valid for 5 years from the date of passing, to sit the practical driving test for the B license. For motorcycle licenses it is also valid for 5 years.
Can I prepare for the highway code entirely online?
Yes, many driving schools offer fully online highway code courses. However, registration at an approved driving school remains mandatory to sit the official ETG exam.
Is the highway code the same for motorcycles and cars?
Yes, the General Theory Test (ETG) is common to all ground licenses (B, A2, A, AM...). If you have already passed the ETG for a car license, you do not need to retake it for a motorcycle license.
How many questions can I get wrong in the ETG?
The ETG has 40 questions and the pass mark is 35. You can therefore get at most 5 wrong. Some questions may be eliminatory (serious fault). Questions cover 10 topics: signage, driver, road, other users, mechanics, first aid, environment, eco-driving, passenger safety, road sharing. The 2026 highway code adds questions on electric vehicles, EDPM (e-scooters), Low Emission Zones and Crit’Air.
How much does the ETG exam cost?
The ETG exam costs €30 (tax stamp) at all approved operators: La Poste (lecode.laposte.fr), Objectif Code SGS, Pointcode. This rate is set by decree and does not vary by operator. Preparation (lessons, revision) is billed separately by your driving school: €30 to €100 for an online option, €100 to €250 for classroom courses.
Can highway code preparation be funded via CPF?
Yes. Highway code preparation is eligible for the CPF (Personal Training Account) via Mon Compte Formation, provided the organisation is Qualiopi-certified. You can use up to €500/year of CPF rights. France Travail can top up funding for jobseekers.
How to retrieve the ETG certificate after passing?
No retrieval needed: your pass is automatically registered with ANTS as soon as the exam ends. You receive a pass document by email within minutes. This document, to be printed, is mandatory to sit the practical driving exam. You can download it anytime via your ANTS account secured with FranceConnect.
Can I take the ETG as an independent candidate?
Yes, since 2016. Register directly on an approved operator’s website (La Poste, Objectif Code SGS, Pointcode). You must first create your ANTS file to obtain a NEPH number. Preparation remains your responsibility (books, apps, online lessons). If you pass, you can then enrol at a driving school for the practical part.
What to do if you fail the ETG?
You can retake the next working day (no legal waiting period). The €30 fee applies for each attempt. Use the failure to identify gaps: the result sheet details the topics missed. 2 to 3 weeks of intensive revision before retrying significantly improves chances. The pass rate goes from 60% (1st try) to 80%+ on the 2nd or 3rd try.
What new topics in the 2026 ETG?
The 2026 code includes more questions on electric vehicles (regenerative braking, silent driving, charging), Low Emission Zones and the Crit’Air classification, motorised personal mobility devices (EDPM) like e-scooters, and eco-driving. See the Service Public article on the highway code reforms.
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What is the Highway Code (ETG)?
The Highway Code, officially called the General Theoretical Test (ETG), is the mandatory theory exam to obtain any French driving licence. The Highway Code checks your knowledge of road signs, traffic rules, the driver, other road users, mechanics, first aid, environment, eco-driving, passenger safety and risk-taking. Passing the Highway Code is a prerequisite to enter the practical driving test, whether for category B (car), A (motorcycle) or any heavy goods category.
Preparation: online or in a driving school
You can prepare for the Highway Code in two ways: online (web app or mobile app, unlimited mock tests, video lessons) or in a driving school classroom (in-person sessions led by a teacher, group corrections). The online option starts from EUR 30 and suits autonomous learners. Classroom training is usually billed between EUR 100 and EUR 250 and helps candidates who prefer structured pacing. In both cases, registration to the official ETG exam can only be done through an accredited driving school, which assigns your NEPH number.
The ETG exam: 40 questions, 5 mistakes max
The Highway Code exam takes place at one of three approved operators: La Poste, Objectif Code SGS or Pointcode. Format: 40 multiple-choice questions on a digital tablet, around 30 minutes. Pass mark: 35 correct answers out of 40, so a maximum of 5 mistakes. Questions cover 10 themes including signage, the driver, the road, other road users, mechanics, first aid, environment, eco-driving, passenger safety and risk-taking. Results are sent within 48 hours by email.
Price of the Highway Code
The official ETG exam fee is set by decree at EUR 30 (tax stamp), regardless of the operator chosen: La Poste, Objectif Code SGS or Pointcode. Highway Code training (classroom access, online platform, mock exams) is billed separately by your driving school: typically EUR 30 to 100 for a fully online option, EUR 100 to 250 for in-person classes. Some all-inclusive packages bundling Highway Code training and presentation to the ETG exam start from EUR 250.
Validity of the code: 5 years
Once you pass the Highway Code, the ETG pass certificate is valid for 5 years to obtain a driving licence. During this period you can sit the practical exam up to 5 times. If you do not pass any practical test within 5 years, or after 5 unsuccessful attempts, you must retake the Highway Code from scratch. This 5-year rule applies to all categories: car (B), motorcycle (A), heavy goods (C, D) and trailers (E).
Foreign theory test: can it replace the ETG?
A foreign theory test (highway code) does not directly replace the French ETG. If you already hold a full foreign driving licence, France may exchange it within 1 year of residency for countries under the Vienna Convention or via a bilateral agreement, without redoing the Highway Code. Outside these cases, you must take the French Highway Code (ETG) and the practical exam at an accredited driving school. Holders of an EU/EEA licence keep their licence and do not need to retake the code.
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