Are you planning to move to France and want to use your foreign driver’s license to get a French driver’s license? Although this process may seem complex at first, this article will guide and explain the three key parts of the procedure: eligibility, the conversion process, and the translation of your driver’s license.

Eligibility

First of all, you need to determine whether you are eligible to convert your foreign driving license. To put it simply, you can convert your license to a French license if you are not a foreign student and your license was issued in a non-EU/EEA country. In this case, you’ll need to complete the conversion procedure with Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS).

Conversion procedure

The procedure for converting a foreign driver’s license into a French license varies according to the country of origin. For countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), you do not have to convert your license unless it is due to expire. For countries outside the EEA, on the other hand, you need to follow an administrative procedure, which may involve a medical examination, a driving record or, in some cases, passing a driving test.

Documents required:

  • Valid proof of identity such as a national identity card or passport.
  • A valid residence permit as proof of legal residency.
  • Recent proof of address less than 6 months old.
  • Current driver’s license.
  • A driving record or certificate proving you have the right to drive issued by the foreign authorities that issued the driver’s license. This document has to be less than 6 months old.

If your license has been canceled or suspended:

  • The official cancellation or suspension decision.
  • The letter from the prefecture notifying that you must exchange your license.
  • A medical certificate if necessary.
  • If you have lost your driving licence, a formal declaration of loss.
  • If your driver’s license has been stolen, you have to file a police report with the appropriate authorities (gendarmerie or police station).

Additional documents depending on the applicant and the license held:

  • Proof of normal residence in the foreign country at the time the foreign permit is issued, if the applicant is not a citizen of the country issuing the permit. This proof can be a certificate of registration and deletion from the consular registers, an employment contract, pay slips, or a certificate of employment, for example.
  • A translation of your driving record by a sworn translator based in France, if it is not in French.
  • A translation of your driver’s license by a sworn translator based in France, if it is not in French.
  • If you have become a French national, the naturalization decree or declaration of nationality.

Reciprocity

It’s also important to know that some countries and states practice reciprocity. In the case of the United States, here is the list of states for which reciprocity agreements exist:

  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Virginia
  • South Carolina
  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • Illinois
  • Iowa
  • Michigan
  • Wisconsin
  • Arkansas
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Connecticut

For more information on the countries and states that have reciprocity agreements, please consult this link.

Document translation

To get your French driver’s license, you’ll need to go through the process of translating your documents. In fact, all documents not written in French, including your driver’s license, must be officially translated by a sworn translator based in France.
The translation is needed by the French authorities to process your request and verify the information contained on your driver’s license. In most cases, translating your driving record is also required.

Order a sworn translation of your driver’s license

Converting your foreign driver’s license into a French one is an essential step if you’re planning to settle in France. Make sure you prepare all the required documents and carefully follow the instructions provided by the relevant authorities, notably the Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS). If you need your documents translated, don’t hesitate to contact us! We are used to dealing with such requests, and we guarantee that your translations will be accepted by the French authorities. Once you’ve received your French driver’s license, you’ll be able to drive on French roads, both safely and legally!

Order a sworn, certified translation of your driving licence today on our Trad24 website, and don’t forget to use the code apextra for a discount!