French Driving License: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

How to Get a French Driving License If you're an expat it is recommended to attend a driving school. They will handle all the paperwork for you and cut down on the time you wait for an exam date. The French driving license (permis) is a pink credit card. It could take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to get. Theory test The driving theory test, also known as the code, is the most important step in the French licensing process for drivers. You can prepare for the test by reading a manual and using mobile apps to aid you learn. The test covers road safety and traffic laws. You can also take a free practice test online. The test is conducted using tablets at the test center, and you must be able to answer at least 35 of the questions to pass. As with most countries as with most countries, the French driver's license can be obtained after passing a theoretical and practical test. The French driving test is notoriously difficult. According to the statistics that only 54.4 percent of men and 59.2 percent of women passed the theory test the first time. The rate of passing the practical exam was even lower, at 58.6 percent of males and 52.8 percent women. Those with disabilities or health conditions might need to take additional tests. You may take the theory test at a driving school, which will arrange your lessons and the exam for you, or you could take it as an individual candidate. You need to register for a “NEPH number for prefectoral record harmonise” on the website of government agency ANTS. This number is required to make a reservation for the theory test. Many driving schools such as Pass Rousseau offer online preparation courses that include live online practice and live classes. These courses can be expensive however they also reduce time. Some schools, like Fehrenbach cater to English people. However, they are more expensive than a traditional French driving school. If you have a valid driving licence from a country that is part of the European Union, you can exchange it to an French licence if you hold a residence permit in France. The process can be lengthy and you'll have to provide the official translator. You can still take the test if you don't speak French with a translation. You can take the test in writing as many times as you want, and there is no waiting time between attempts. The standard theory test costs EUR30. Practical test If you are planning to drive a vehicle in France, you must pass a theory test (known as le Code) and a practical test. You can pass both tests via a driving school, which will conduct the tests and lessons for you or on your own as an external candidate. If you opt to be an independent candidate, you will need to sign up for an NEPH number – Numero Prefectural harmonise number – on the official website of the government agency ANTS. The theoretical exam, known as le Code, consists of 40 questions with multiple-choice answers, covering topics like traffic laws, road safety regulations and driving rules. You can download free applications and study guides online or purchase the Code de la Route in a bookshop. You can get a pass grade with 20 or more points, as long as you don't commit any elimination mistakes (such a crossing an unmarked line or turning left, not observing the stop sign, or disregarding priority rules). During the practical test, an examiner will assess your ability to drive under normal traffic conditions in the car you select. The test is composed of 25 minutes driving time and lasts approximately two hours. Additionally, you will be asked to demonstrate your basic first aid skills. The practical test can be taken up to five times within three years. You can take a tutor accompanying you to the test as an outside candidate. But, they can't charge more than a single lesson. However, if you are studying at a driving school, they are able to assign an instructor to accompany you during the practical test. If you fail the test, you may repeat it up to five times. The theoretical and practical tests are both in French. You'll need to be fluent in French. It is recommended to plan ahead and start learning early prior to moving to France. The test is difficult for non-French-speaking people Therefore, you should be fluent by the time you sit it. Passing the test Before taking the test to get their French driving license, new drivers must be aware of some important points. Before they can drive in France they must pass the theory and practical tests. Additionally, they must be insured for their vehicle in France and purchase a pollution label (called a “conduit accompagnee”). The code is the first step. The exam is made up of multiple-choice and oral explanation questions. The second step is to pass the practical test which is more challenging and requires lots of practice. The examiner will test your knowledge of road rules and what you should do if you encounter an emergency such as someone who is unconscious or severely injured. After passing the theory and practical test After passing the test, you will receive a document called a certificat exam de permis de conduire. The document is valid for a period of four months and can be downloaded to your phone or tablet. This is what you need to show the police if you are stopped. The word “favorable” will appear at the bottom of the document. Your driver's license needs to be renewed every 15 years. You can do this by filling in an administrative form and paying the fee. You must also show proof of your address and identity. You can do this online or at the local prefecture office. Enter the file number along with your personal code to track the status of your driver's license online. It is essential to be aware of the French demerit points system in addition the driving rules. You could lose your driving license if you commit a serious crime or accumulate too many points. You may also lose your license if you aren't paying fines or have been involved in a serious accident. It is also important to be aware of the fact that France drives on the right side of the road and priority is given to traffic that comes from the right. Also, it is important to remember that the maximum speed limit on departmental and national roads is 80 km/h. However the speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h for local roads and in cities. Getting your license If you've just completed your French driving test or are an expat driving driver moving to France and needing a licence in France can be a bit of a hassle. There are certain rules and licensing requirements that you should be aware of in order to avoid being pulled over by the police or having an accident because of insufficient driving licenses. To avoid any trouble, the best thing to do is to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) beforehand. This tiny piece of paper can translate your license into several languages and is a requirement to be carried when traveling across the globe. They're cheap ($20) and easy to get from your local AAA office, and even car rental companies will accept them. The majority of expats can exchange their licenses for one with a French one, provided that their country of origin has reciprocal agreements with France. The process can take anywhere from a few weeks up to several months, depending on the prefecture's work load. You'll need proof of identity with two recent passport photographs along with a medical certificate, and two envelopes addressed to yourself. If you don't have a valid identification or your foreign driving permit has expired, you'll have to pass both a theory and practical exam before obtaining an official license. Individuals with disabilities or health issues may need to take additional tests. In the event of the second, the doctor will conduct an examination to assess your driving ability. passez votre permis de conduire dès 749€ – 599€ consists of a theoretical exam, a practice driving test in a parking area, and a conversation with the examiner. French drivers must have their driver's license and vehicle registration at all at all times. They also must carry an insurance policy for cars and other vehicles. It is advisable to speak with your insurance provider to make sure your policy covers driving in France and is up to date. It might be difficult to obtain a license in the new country you're moving to however with the help of a good driving school you can do it. While you don't have to attend an instructor in driving to get your French driving license, they can help you with the process by handling all of the paperwork and scheduling for you.