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DRIVING

EXPLAINED: How to swap your UK driving licence for a French one

Brexit means a change to the situation for people who live in France and have UK-issued driving licences - here are the new rules and how to swap your licence for a French one.

Published: 29 June 2021 12:39 CEST
Updated: 2 December 2022 12:22 CET
EXPLAINED: How to swap your UK driving licence for a French one
Photo: AFP

After several years of negotiations that left many Brits in France in limbo, a deal has been agreed between French and British authorities.

Who is affected?

This affects UK driving licence holders who are living in France – tourists and visitors can continue to drive on their UK licence and do not need an International Driver’s Permit.

The deal is a generous one, so many Brits living in France will not need to apply to exchange their licence immediately.

The great majority of people whose licences were issued before January 1st 2021 can simply keep on driving on their UK licence until either the licence or the photocard nears expiry.

READ ALSO What Brits in France need to do now with their driving licences

The people who need to apply to exchange their licence are:

  • Anyone who has a UK licence issued after January 1st, 2021. This must be done within one year.
  • Anyone whose licence expires within the next six months. This can refer to either the expiry of the licence itself – for example if you are approaching your 70th birthday – or the expiry of the photocard, whichever comes first. Please note that applications to swap licences that have more than six months left on them will be rejected.
  • Anyone whose licence has been lost or stolen
  • Anyone whose licence has already expired. Because of the long-running problems with exchanging some people’s licences ran out while they were waiting. The French government has agreed that these can be exchanged for a French licence and drivers will not need to retake a driving test
  • Anyone who is ordered to exchange their licence by a gendarme after committing a driving offence

How to exchange?

The swap itself is done via an online portal, which you can find HERE. 

If you haven’t used it before you will need to create an online account, or if you already have online accounts for French government services such as Ameli or tax declarations you can login by clicking on the France Connect button.

Once logged in, select Je demande l’échange ou l’enregistrement de mon permis de conduire étranger (I request the exchange or registration of a foreign driving licence) and fill in the details requested on the form such as name, address etc.

Once you have completed the form, you get to the section where you can supply supporting documents as requested. These vary slightly depending on your circumstances but will include 

  • Proof of ID
  • Proof of address such as a recent utility bill
  • If your driver’s licence is in a different name to your passport, you will need to supply your full birth certificate 
  • Photos – these must be taken in a government-approved photo booth or via the app

The documents need to be scanned and uploaded to the website, not sent by post, although photos can be sent in the mail.

You can find a full guide to each step of the process of filling out the form at the Facebook page Applying for a French Driving Licence.

Kim Cranstoun, who runs the group, flags up that supporting documents which are in English do not need to be accompanied by translations.

Next steps

Once you have made the initial application, you will then be contacted later and, depending on your circumstances, asked for extra documents, and then to send in your old driving licence.

Some people, including those whose licences have expired, will be asked for a Certificate of Entitlement showing they are entitled to drive. This is obtained via the DVLA in Swansea and the certificate must be from the past three months when you submit it.

You will then be asked to send in your old driving licence to be exchanged and will receive in exchange an Attestation de Depot de Permis de Conduire (certificate of deposit of driving licence) and you can use this of proof of your right to drive while you are waiting for your new licence to arrive. People whose licences have expired can begin driving again once they receive this certificate.

Waiting times

Throughout 2020 and 2021, many people were waiting many months for their applications to be dealt with and some people’s licences even expired while they were waiting (see below for details).

However it appears that authorities have now manage to clear most of the backlog and waiting times are now much shorter.

According to Kim, the average exchange time is now just four weeks, provided – and this is crucial – you upload all the correct documents the first time.

Expired licences

People whose licences expired while they are waiting can swap them for French ones without having to take a driving test.

If you have already applied and your licence expired while you were waiting then the advice is as above for pending applications.

If your licence expired and you were not able to apply before, you can apply now using the process as outlined above.

Once your application is processed you will be asked to send in your old licence and given an attestation – it is only when you receive the attestation that you can legally drive again.

For more details, head to Applying for a French Driving Licence.

Member comments

  1. I’m now a resident of France and have had a driver’s license for over 45 years in six different countries, but not France. I currently have a New York State driver’s license, which I’ve been told doesn’t have “reciprocity” with France. My (French) insurance company tells me that I need to start all over again, ie sit in a classroom with a bunch of 18-year olds, take a written test, and then a driver’s test. This can’t possibly be the case, can it?

  2. Your article is not correct. You now MUST supply images of Cartes de Sejour to exchange a UK licence. This is creating a problem for married women, as both maiden and married names must be on the CdS, and many do not show the maiden name. This causes a long delay in the licence exchange process, as Départements no longer handle amendments to CdS, instead it is now handled centrally, but the system is not yet working fully. My wife is thus stuck hitting her head on two brick walls and getting nowhere with either, and her licence has now expired.

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For members

DRIVING

EXPLAINED: How does car insurance work in France?

If you drive a motor vehicle in France – even one for which you don’t need a driving licence – you must have insurance. Here is what you need to know.

Published: 6 September 2024 11:06 CEST
EXPLAINED: How does car insurance work in France?

Anyone who drives a car, lorry, van, or rides a motorcycle or scooter on the road in France must have at least third-party car insurance.

Here’s what you need to know.

What’s covered

Be aware that a French insurance policy covers the vehicle, rather than the driver. You will still need to list one or several named drivers, but others will also be able to take the wheel of your vehicle and be covered by at least the legal minimum third-party insurance.

What you need to get insured

Before you can drive your car, you must be insured. Car dealers will not let you drive off in your new purchase without the required documents. 

Fortunately, the process is pretty simple, and your insurer will help you with the necessary paperwork. 

Carte verte

Since April 1st, 2024, green car insurance cards in the windscreens of French vehicles have been replaced by an automated system accessible to law enforcement officers, though you’ll still see them on display in plenty of cars. 

READ ALSO 7 things to know about the change to France’s ‘carte verte’ car insurance

This new digital system means drivers’ insurance details can be checked using licence plates and by verifying information in the file of insured vehicles (FAV), which has been accessible to law enforcement since 2019. 

Insurance companies are required to update the register every 72 hours, so the digital list is kept up to date. 

In theory, this means drivers no longer have to present insurance paperwork if they are pulled over by police, as it will be up to officers to consult this database. But you will receive a document on taking out or renewing your insurance policy that you can show them. It may speed things up.

A reminder: driving while uninsured remains an offence. As well as a hefty fine those drives caught behind the wheel without insurance risk having their driving licence suspended for up to three years.

Moreover, driving on a suspended licence can be punishable by up to two years imprisonment, a €4,500 fine and confiscation of the vehicle.

READ ALSO Driving in France: What are the offences that cost you penalty points on your French licence?

What happens if you’re involved in an accident

In France, in the immediate aftermath of a collision, you might be asked by other involved parties to fill out a paper document which gives information about the details of an accident on the road.

This is a ‘constat amiable’ – pronounced con-statt amm-ee-ahh-bul – the French term for a European Accident Statement (EAS) that is accepted by insurance companies across the continent. 

It’s not a legal requirement to have one in your car, but many motorists in France do, just in case. Copies are then sent to your insurers for processing.

And the French government’s Service Public website recommends in strong, bureaucratic terms that motorists involved in a collision should complete the form, which details the circumstances of a collision, and any resulting damage to either vehicle.

The form is available in English (pdf) if you prefer, but it’s advisable to use a French one for your French insurers.

No claims

The no-claims system is known as Bonus Malus in France. 

Someone who has never been insured starts with a bonus of 1.00, and every year without a claim this is multiplied by 0.95, shaving a percentage off your bill – though you might not realise it as premiums seem to rise year on year…

It takes 13 years to build up a maximum no claims bonus.

If you have previously been insured in the UK or an EU country you may be able to transfer any no-claims bonus, depending on the company. 

READ ALSO Meet France’s tiny cars that you don’t need a licence to drive

If, on the other hand, you are involved in an accident, this figure will be multiplied by 1.25 if you are to blame – or 1.125 if you are only partially at fault.

Are there other ways to cut insurance costs?

French insurers offer a range of policies that you may want to consider. Fully comprehensive (tous risques) policies tend to cost more, but you may decide it’s worthwhile. Third-party, fire and theft, and third party insurance are also routinely available from insurers.

But, if you don’t drive often or far, you may be able to get a low-mileage deal, for example. It’s always worthwhile checking with your insurer.

When you do / don’t need a French driving licence

You can drive in France on a non-French / EU driving licence for a certain period of time. 

If you’re in France on holiday there is usually no problem with driving on the licence of your home country, whether you’re bringing your own car or renting one here – although there will likely be some additional paperwork involved at a French car rental company if you hold a non-French / EU licence.

If you live in France, however, it’s a different story for holders of non-French / EU licences. After a certain period of residency (usually one year, although there is a slightly different system for UK licences) you will probably need to swap your licence for a French one.

This could have a knock-on effect on your insurance. 

Driving in France on a foreign licence when you should have swapped it for a French one is illegal – which invalidates your insurance.

READ ALSO Is it illegal to drive on a foreign licence if you live in France?

If you have an accident while driving, even if it’s not your fault, you need to contact your insurance and if you’re showing a French address and a non-French licence it’s likely that questions will be asked. 

Listing an address that’s not your actual place of residence counts as lying to your insurers, which is also likely to result in the refusal of your claim if you are caught. And it can lead to prosecution. 

Changing provider

France has a reputation for making it difficult for customers to shop about for things like insurance – and with some justification. 

But the good news is the process is becoming simpler, and the fact is you have every right to shop around for the best deal for you.

Of course, if you’re happy with your insurer, stick with them. Policies auto-renew after 12 months and will do this every year unless you cancel.

When you sign a contract, you have a 14-day cooling off period where you can cancel without being penalised. After this, you can usually only cancel within the final two months of the first year.

After the first 12 months have elapsed, you can cancel at any time. The insurer will end the contract one month after receiving notice of cancellation and will refund any payments made beyond this period.

Your new chosen insurer may be able to help with cancelling your existing insurance. If not, you need to send a letter of cancellation – you might be able to do this online, otherwise you need to write a formal letter and it’s a good idea to send it by registered mail.

Just make sure that you have insurance in place before you get behind the wheel!

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