Last verified: October 2026 — Sources: Service-Public.fr, Sécurité routière, ANTS
Moving to France with a foreign driving licence? The rules depend on whether your licence was issued by an EU/EEA country or not. Since 12 May 2026, exchanging a foreign licence for a French one costs €40 (stamp duty). This guide explains when you can keep driving, when you must exchange and how to do it.
EU/EEA/Swiss licence: direct recognition
If your licence was issued by an EU, EEA or Swiss authority, it is valid in France with no paperwork as long as it has not expired. You can drive on it indefinitely.
When is an exchange compulsory?
An exchange is required only in these situations:
- Loss, theft or damage to the licence.
- Expiry of the licence’s administrative validity.
- Adding a new category.
- A traffic offence in France leading to point deductions, suspension or cancellation.
Important: if your EU licence was itself obtained by exchanging a licence from a non-agreement country, it is recognised in France for only one year after you establish residence. Check the back of your licence.
Non-EU licence: exchange is mandatory
If your licence was issued outside the EU/EEA, you may drive on it for up to one year from the date of your first residence permit (or récépissé). After that, driving without having exchanged your licence is a criminal offence (up to 1 year imprisonment and a €15,000 fine).
Conditions for exchange
- Your issuing country must have a reciprocity agreement with France.
- The licence must be valid and not expired.
- It must have been issued before your first French residence permit.
- You must have been a habitual resident of the issuing country when you obtained it (at least 6 months).
- There must be no restriction, suspension or cancellation on your licence in the country of origin.
Countries with reciprocity agreements (main ones)
The full list is set by ministerial order and changes over time. Check your situation with the official Service-Public.fr simulator. Major agreement countries include:
- North Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Mali, Madagascar, among others.
- Americas: Canada (Quebec and other provinces), Brazil. For the United States, it depends on the state that issued the licence.
- Asia-Pacific: Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand.
- Europe (outside EU/EEA): Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, Turkey, Serbia.
- Middle East: Israel, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain (partial agreements in some cases).
No reciprocity agreement?
Exchange is not possible. You will need to obtain a French driving licence by passing both the theory exam (Code de la route) and the practical test. You can sit these as an independent candidate (candidat libre) or through a driving school.
€40 stamp duty since 12 May 2026
Since 12 May 2026, every foreign licence exchange is subject to a €40 stamp duty (droit de timbre). In French Guiana, the fee is reduced to €20. Before this date, exchanges were free of charge.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Amount | €40 (€20 in French Guiana) |
| Legal basis | Article 128 of Law No. 2026-103 of 19 February 2026 (Finance Law 2026) |
| Effective date | 12 May 2026 (postponed from 4 May) |
| Payment | Electronic tax stamp, during the ANTS procedure or purchased in advance at timbres.impots.gouv.fr |
| Who pays | All exchanges: EU/EEA licences (when exchange is compulsory) and non-EU licences |
Step-by-step procedure (via ANTS)
- Prepare your documents: scan your licence (front and back, colour, at least 150 DPI), your ID or passport, proof of address less than 6 months old, valid residence permit, and digital photo and signature in ANTS format.
- Create an ANTS account: go to ants.gouv.fr and log in via FranceConnect.
- Submit your application: select “Demande de permis de conduire” → foreign licence exchange. Upload your documents and pay the €40 stamp duty.
- Download your driving certificate (ADS): the Attestation de Dépôt Sécurisée allows you to continue driving while your application is processed. It is valid for 4 months.
- Send your original licence: by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt to the address provided by ANTS.
- Track your file: check the status on ANTS and look in your spam folder for any requests for additional documents.
- Receive your French licence: if approved, the licence is sent by tracked mail within approximately 15 days.
Required documents
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Original driving licence | Colour scan, front and back |
| ID card or passport | Valid |
| Residence permit | Or validated long-stay visa (EU citizens: not required) |
| Proof of address | Less than 6 months old |
| Digital photo and signature | ANTS format (approved photo booth or online service) |
| Sworn translation | Only if the licence is not in French — by a sworn translator in France |
| Driving entitlement certificate | Issued by the authorities in your country, less than 6 months old |
| €40 tax stamp | Electronic, purchased during the procedure or in advance |
Processing times
There is no guaranteed official timeline. Observed processing times in 2026 vary considerably depending on the country that issued the licence:
| Licence origin | Approximate timeframe |
|---|---|
| EU / EEA | 2–6 weeks |
| Switzerland, Turkey | 3–8 weeks |
| Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) | 2–5 months |
| Americas, Asia-Pacific | 3–8 months |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 4–12 months |
These are estimates based on reported experiences, not guaranteed administrative deadlines.
International students
International students holding a valid licence may drive in France throughout their studies without exchanging their licence, provided that:
- The licence is valid.
- They are enrolled at an educational institution in France.
- They have not settled permanently in France (if they obtain a non-student residence permit, the one-year clock starts).
Quick summary by situation
| Your situation | Can you drive on your licence? | Must you exchange? |
|---|---|---|
| Valid EU/EEA licence | Yes, no time limit | Only for loss, theft, expiry, offence or new category |
| Non-EU licence, agreement country | Yes, for 1 year | Yes, within 1 year of first residence permit |
| Non-EU licence, no agreement | Yes, for 1 year | Not possible: must pass French driving test |
| International student | Yes, throughout studies | No, as long as you remain a student |
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive while my exchange is being processed?
Yes. As long as you hold your original licence, it remains valid (within the one-year limit for non-EU licences). After you send the original to ANTS, you receive an Attestation de Dépôt Sécurisée (ADS) valid for 4 months. If your file is still pending when it expires, you can request a renewal on ANTS.
How much does it cost to get a French licence without a reciprocity agreement?
You will need to pass the theory exam (Code de la route) and the practical test. As an independent candidate, the cost is roughly €200–500. Through a driving school, the typical cost ranges from €800 to €1,500, depending on the city and number of driving hours.
Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
No. An IDP is not required for driving in France if you are a resident. It serves only as a translation of your licence for occasional checks. It does not replace the exchange and does not extend the one-year deadline.
Related guides
- Health insurance in France
- Your first 30 days in France
- Proof of address in France
- Moving to France from Europe
Official sources
- Service-Public.fr — Échange de permis de conduire étranger
- ANTS — Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés
- Sécurité routière
- Official simulator: is your licence exchangeable?
The list of countries with reciprocity agreements and exchange conditions may change. Always check the official sources and the Service-Public.fr simulator to verify your specific situation.