How to Get a French Driving License
It is a good choice to take driving lessons at a driving school if you are an ex-pat. They will handle all the paperwork for you and cut down on your wait time for an exam date.
It can take a few weeks to several months to get your French license (permis de conduire), which is in the form of a pink credit card.
Theory test
The driving theory test (le code) is a crucial step in the French license process. You can prepare by studying a manual and using mobile apps to aid you learn. The test is about road safety and traffic laws. You can also take a free test online. The test is administered digitally at the testing center, using tablets. You must answer correctly 35 questions to pass.
Like most countries in the world, a French driver's licence can only be obtained after passing both an exam that is both theoretical and practical. The French driving test is notoriously difficult. According to recent statistics, only 59.2 percent of men and 54.4 percent of women passed their test on their first attempt, while the pass rate for the practical test was even lower at 58.6 percent for males and 52.8 percent for women. For those with health issues or disabilities might need to take additional tests.
You can take the theory test at a driving school which will arrange your lessons and the exam for you, or you could take it as an individual candidate. To do so you must sign up for a "NEPH Prefectoral Number" harmonise" on the official website of the government agency ANTS. This number is required to reserve a date for the test.
Many driving schools like Pass Rousseau offer online preparation courses that combine live and online classes. These courses are costly however they could save you time. Certain schools, like Fehrenbach, are specifically geared toward English speakers, but they can be more expensive than a normal French driving school.
If you have valid driving licenses from an area that is a member of the European Union, you can exchange it to an French licence if you possess an residence permit in France. The process is lengthy and requires a translation by an official translator.
If you don't speak French, you can still take the theory test by using an interpreter. You can take the test any number of times you wish without waiting for a time. The standard theory test costs EUR30.
Practical test
If you want to drive a vehicle in France, you must pass a theory test (known as le Code) and a practical test. You can pass both tests at a driving school who will arrange the tests and lessons for you or on your own as an external candidate. If you choose to be an independent candidate, you must sign up for an NEPH number - Numero d'enregistrement Prefectural harmonise - on the website of government agency ANTS.
The test, referred to as le Code, consists of 40 questions with multiple-choice answers that cover topics such as traffic laws, road safety regulations and driving rules. You can download free applications and study guides online, or purchase a Code de la Route in a bookshop. It's possible to get a pass mark with 20 or more points, provided you don't make any errors that are deemed to be fatal (crossing an established line, driving to the left, not observing the stop sign, or not following the priority rules).
During the practical exam the examiner will assess your ability to drive in normal traffic conditions and in the car you choose. The test consists of 25 minutes of driving, and lasts for around two hours total. The examiner will also ask you to demonstrate your knowledge of basic first aid. The test can be taken five times over the course of three years.
You can bring a teacher accompanying you to the test as an outside candidate. However, they cannot charge more than a lesson. If you are taking a driving course, you can bring an instructor with you to the test. If you fail the test, you can take it again at as many times as you would like in the next five years.
The theoretical and practical tests are both in French. You'll need to be fluent in French. Begin to plan ahead and start learning the language prior to your move to France. The test is difficult for non-French speaking people So you must be fluent by the time you sit it.
Passing the test
There are a few points that new drivers should know before taking the test for their French driving license. Before they can drive in France they must pass both the theory and practical tests. Additionally, they must have their car insured in France and purchase a pollution certificate (called a "conduit accompagnee").
Le code is the first step. The exam is made up of oral and multiple-choice questions. The next step is to take the practical test, which is a more difficult test and requires a lot of practice. The examiner will ask you to demonstrate your knowledge of the rules of the road and also what to do in an emergency situation for instance, if someone is injured badly or is unconscious.
After having passed the theory and practical test, you will be given a document called a certificat d'examen de Permis D de conduire. This document is valid for four months, and can be downloaded onto your tablet or phone. If you are questioned by the police, this is the document you will need to show them. The word "favorable" will be noted at the end of the document.
You must renew your driver's licence every 15 years. This can be done by filling out an administrative form and paying an amount. You must also show proof of your address and identity. You can do this via the internet or at your local prefecture office. You can monitor the status of your license online by entering your file number and personal code.
In addition to the driving rules It is essential to be aware of the French demerit points system. You can lose your license after an aggravated offense or having too many points. You can also have your license suspended if you have not paid fines or involved in an accident that is serious.
It is important to know that France is a country that operates on the right side of the road and traffic coming from the left is given priority. You should also be aware that the speed limit on the departmental and national highways is 80 km/h. On local roads, and in cities however the speed limit is 50 km/h.
Getting your license
It isn't easy to get a driver's license in France regardless of whether you've just completed your French test or are a first-time driver from an expat country. There are certain regulations and licence prerequisites that you must be aware of to avoid being pulled over by police or having an accident because of insufficient driving documents. In order to avoid any trouble the best thing to do is get an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you leave home. This small piece of paper must to be carried on your person when traveling abroad. It can translate your driver's permit into several foreign languages. They are cheap ($20) and easy to obtain from your local AAA office, and even car rental companies will accept them.
For most expats, they are able to exchange their license to one that is a French one if their country of origin has a reciprocal arrangement with France. The process can take anywhere between a few weeks to a few months, based on the prefecture's workload. You'll also need two passport photos taken recently, a medical certification, and two envelopes addressed to yourself.
If you do not have a valid ID or your driving licence from another country has expired, you'll have to pass both a theory and practical exam before obtaining the full license. People with disabilities or specific health conditions may have to undergo additional tests.
In the case of the second option, a doctor will conduct an exam to determine your driving skills. The test will consist of a theory test and a test drive in a parking area and an interview with the examiner.
French drivers must carry their driving license and vehicle registration at all at all times. They must also carry an insurance policy for cars and other vehicles. It is advisable to check with your insurer to confirm that your policy covers driving in France and is up to date.
The process of getting your license in the country you've chosen to call home might be a daunting task but with a little preparation and the assistance of a driving school, it will be easy. While you don't need a driving school to obtain your French driving license, they can facilitate the process by taking care of the paperwork and scheduling your appointment for you.