Do We Need to Exchange Our Driving License When Moving to France?

One of the more practical, and sometimes confusing, questions that arises when moving to France is what to do about your driving license. Can you continue driving with your home country’s licence? Do you need to exchange it? And how long do you have to make the switch? The answer depends on where you're coming from and how long you plan to stay. Let’s break it down.

EU vs Non-EU Licences: The Basics

If you’re moving to France from another EU or EEA country, good news: you can use your licence as long as it’s valid. There’s no requirement to exchange it unless it expires, you commit a traffic offence that requires points to be applied, or your personal circumstances change (such as your name or address).

However, for non-EU licence holders, including those from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and others, things are a little more complex.

Can I Drive on My Existing Licence?

Yes, for a limited time. France allows most non-EU residents to drive on their foreign licence for up to one year from the date your residency becomes official: typically the date on your residency permit (titre de séjour). After that, you must either exchange your licence or, in some cases, take the French driving test.

But there's a big caveat: reciprocity agreements. France has agreements with certain non-EU countries that allow for a direct licence exchange. If you're from one of these countries, you can exchange your licence within the first 12 months without having to sit any French driving tests. If your country isn’t on the list, you may have to start from scratch — theory, practical test, and all.

What About UK Licences After Brexit?

If you’re a UK licence holder moving to France post-Brexit, you do not need to exchange your licence if:

• Your licence is still valid.

• You moved to France before 1 January 2021 and registered your residency.

However, if you move after 1 January 2021, the rules are slightly different. You can still use your licence for up to a year from the date of your residency permit. After that, you’ll need to exchange your UK licence for a French one. Thankfully, the UK is one of the countries with a reciprocal agreement, so no retesting is required.

How to Exchange Your Licence

Exchanging your licence isn’t exactly a quick task, but it’s manageable if you plan ahead. The process is done online through the ANTS (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés) portal.

You’ll need:

• Proof of identity (passport, residency permit)

• Proof of address in France

• Your original driving licence and an official translation (if not in French)

• A certificate of entitlement or driving record from your country

• Passport-style photos

• A fee (currently around €25)

Once approved, your new French licence will arrive by post, and your original licence will usually be retained by the French authorities.

What If My Licence Isn’t Exchangeable?

If your home country doesn’t have a reciprocal agreement with France, you’ll need to go through the full French driving test process, which includes:

• Passing the theory exam (le code de la route)

• Taking practical driving lessons (mandatory hours may apply)

• Passing the practical driving test

This can be time-consuming and costly, so it’s essential to check your eligibility to exchange early on.

A Word of Advice: Start Early

Don’t wait until your one-year deadline is looming. Processing times for licence exchanges can vary wildly, and missing the deadline could leave you unable to drive legally until the exchange is complete. Applying well in advance will save you stress and avoid disruptions to your mobility.

Final Thoughts

Whether you need to exchange your licence when moving to France depends on where you're from and how long you plan to stay. While many people can drive on their existing licence for up to a year, long-term residents from non-EU countries almost always need to swap it out and the earlier you start the process, the better.

Before the big move, take a few minutes to check your specific situation. A bit of planning now can save you from big headaches later on.