Driver’s License Exchange in France: 2025 Guide for Expats

Moving to France ? Don’t Overlook the Exchange of Your Foreign Driver’s License

When settling in France, there are many administrative steps to consider — and exchanging your foreign driver’s license is often forgotten… until it’s too late. Yet this process is strictly regulated and bound by legal deadlines.

At Alpina Relocation, specialists in international mobility, we guide you step by step to ensure a smooth and successful license exchange.

Driving in France with a Foreign License: What the Law Says in 2025

If your license was issued outside the European Union or European Economic Area (EEA), you are legally allowed to drive in France for up to 12 months, starting from the date your residency begins, as confirmed by your residence permit or validated long-stay visa (VLS-TS).

⚠ After this 12-month period, if you haven’t applied for an exchange, you may lose your right to drive in France.
If your country has no bilateral agreement with France, you’ll need to pass both the theory (code) and practical driving exams.

🕑 Important: This 12-month countdown does not restart if you renew your residence permit.

When Should You Start the Exchange Process ?

As soon as possible!
We recommend starting the process within the first 6 months of arrival, to give you enough time to gather documents and manage any delays on the ANTS platform (France’s online government portal).

Which Licenses Can Be Exchanged in France?

1 – EU / EEA Licenses

• No exchange required: your license is recognized in France.
• ⚠ However, exchange becomes necessary if your license is lost, stolen, or if you apply for a new license category.

2 – Non-EU Licenses with Bilateral Agreement

France has signed reciprocal agreements with many non-EU countries.
If you are eligible, you may exchange your license without retaking exams, provided that:

You apply within 12 months of becoming a French resident,
Your license is valid and was obtained before moving to France,
You are legally residing in France at the time of the application.

👉 The list of eligible countries is regularly updated — Alpina Relocation will check your eligibility for you.

3 – Licenses from Countries without an Agreement

Exchange is not possible.
You must enroll in a driving school and pass the theory (code) and driving test, just like a first-time driver.

Licenses issued before January 1st, 2021: still valid in France without exchange, unless lost/stolen or for certain administrative changes.
Licenses issued from January 2021 onward: must be exchanged within one year of becoming a resident.

If you hold a student residence permit, you may use your non-EU license for the entire duration of your studies, with no need to exchange it.

License Exchange Procedure: What to Expect

Required Documents:

Original valid driver’s license,
Certified translation (if not in French),
Residence permit or long-stay visa (VLS-TS),
Proof of address in France,
Proof of entry into France (e.g., travel ticket stamp),
Certificate of driving rights issued by the original country (dated within the last 6 months),
Compliant passport photo,
Completed CERFA form,
Possibly a criminal record extract depending on your country of origin.

🖥 Applications must be submitted online through the official ANTS website.
Processing times can vary from a few weeks to several months.

Why Choose Alpina Relocation to Help with Your License Exchange?

Our relocation experts offer you time savings, stress-free paperwork, and full compliance with French administrative rules.

Our services include:

🔍 Verification of your eligibility based on nationality and license origin,
📁 Full assistance compiling your application,
⏳ Careful monitoring of administrative deadlines,
🌐 Multilingual support (English, Spanish, German, etc.),
📞 Personalized help all the way until you receive your French license.

⚠ Don’t Miss the Deadline : Your Mobility Depends on It

Each year, many expats are forced to retake their driving test simply because they missed the deadline to exchange their license.

Plan ahead, stay compliant, and delegate.

📞 Contact Alpina Relocation as soon as you arrive in France — we’ll make sure you can drive legally and confidently.

🚀 Make your relocation to France a full success — down to the smallest detail.