How to Get a French Driving License It is a great idea to take driving lessons at a school if are an expat. They will take care of all the paperwork for you and cut down on the wait time to get a test date. It can take anywhere from a couple of weeks or even months to obtain your French license (permis de conduire), which is in the form of a pink credit card. Theory test The driving theory test (le code) is an essential step in the French license process. You can prepare by reading the manual and using mobile apps to help learn. The test covers road safety and traffic laws. You may also take a no-cost online test to practice. The exam is conducted digitally with tablets in the test center, and you must answer correctly at least 35 questions to pass. Like in most countries, you can only obtain the French driving licence after passing both the theory and practical tests. The French driving test is notoriously difficult. According to the latest statistics, only 59.2 percent of men and 54.4% of women passed their theory test on the first try, while the pass rate for the practical test was lower at 58.6% for men and 52.8 percent for women. For those with health issues or disabilities might need to take additional tests. You can take the test through a driving school which will organize your lessons and exam or as an independent candidate. To do this you need to register for an NEPH Prefectoral Number harmonise on the official website of the government agency ANTS. This number is needed to reserve a date for the test. Many driving schools, like Pass Rousseau, offer online preparation courses that combine live classes and online practice. These courses are expensive however they can save you time. Some schools, such as Fehrenbach, cater to English students. However, they are more expensive than a traditional French driving school. If you hold an official driving license from a country that is part of the European Union, you can exchange it to one of the French licence if you hold an residence permit in France. The process is lengthy and you'll have to provide a translation from an official translator. If you don't know French however, you can take the test using the help of a translator. You can also take the test in writing at any time you like and there is no waiting time between attempts. The cost for the regular theory test is EUR30. Practical test If you want to drive a car in France, you must pass a theory exam (known as le Code) and a practical test. You can either take the theory and the practical tests through a driving school that will arrange your tests and lessons, or you can do it by yourself. If you opt to be an independent candidate, you must sign up for an NEPH number - Numero Prefectural harmonise number - on the website of government agency ANTS. The exam, also known as le Code, consists of 40 questions with multiple-choice answers, covering topics like traffic laws, road safety regulations and driving regulations. You can download free apps and study guides online or purchase a Code de la Route in a bookshop. It's possible to get a pass mark with 20 points or more, provided you don't make any mistake that could be considered to be a grave error (crossing a solid line, driving on the left, not obeying the stop sign, or not following the priority rules). In the practical test, an examiner will evaluate your ability to drive under normal traffic conditions and in your vehicle of your choice. The test is comprised of 25 minutes of driving, and will last for about two hours total. The examiner will also ask you to demonstrate your understanding of basic first aid. The practical test can be repeated up to five times in three years. You can bring a tutor along to the test as an outside candidate. However, they are not able to charge more than a single lesson. If you are taking a driving course, you are able to bring an instructor along to the test. If you fail the test, you may take it again up to five times. Note that the theory and practical tests are both held in French and you'll need an excellent level of proficiency in the language. It's best to plan ahead and start learning the language early, even before you move to France. The test is challenging for non-French speakers Therefore, you should be fluent by the time you sit it. Passing the test There are a few points that new drivers must be aware of prior to taking the test for their French driving license. They must pass both the theory and practical test before they can drive on French roads. In addition, they must be insured for their vehicle in France and purchase a pollution sticker (calledconduit accompagnee) conduit accompagnee). The first step is taking the theory test, which is called the code. The test consists of multiple-choice questions and an oral explanation. The next step is to pass the practical test, which is more difficult and requires plenty of practice. The test taker will require you to demonstrate your knowledge of the rules of the road and what you should do in an emergency, such as if someone is seriously injured or is unconscious. After passing the theory and practice test After passing the test, you will receive the certificate d'examen de permis de conduire. The document is valid for four months and can be downloaded onto your smartphone or tablet. This is what you will need to show the police if you are stopped. The word favorable is going to appear at the bottom of the document, will be indicated. You must renew your driver's license every 15 years. This is done by filling out an administrative form and paying an amount. You must also provide proof of your identity and address. You can do this online or in person at the local prefecture. Enter the file number along with your personal code to keep track of the status of your driver's license online. It is crucial to understand the French demerit points system, in addition to the driving rules. You can lose your license following the commission of a serious offense or when you accumulate too many points. You could also lose your license if you do not pay fines or been involved in an accident that is serious. 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. It is also important to be aware that the speed limit on the departmental and national highways is 80 km/h. On local roads and in the cities however, the speed limit is 50 km/h. Getting your license If you've recently passed your French driving test or are an expat driver moving to France and needing a licence in France can be quite a challenge. There are certain rules and licensing requirements that you need to be aware of to avoid being pulled over by police or having an accident due to insufficient driving documents. To avoid any hassles, it's recommended to obtain an International Driving Permit in advance. This little piece of paper translates your license into multiple languages, and is a requirement to be carried when driving abroad. These are a bargain ($20) and can be obtained at your local AAA branch. Car rental companies too accept these. Many expats are able to swap their licenses to one with a French one, provided that their country of origin has reciprocal agreements with France. The process can take between a few weeks to several months depending on the prefecture's work load. You'll need a identification proof, two recent passport photos along with a medical certificate, and two envelopes with self-addressed addresses. If you don't have a valid driving license or your foreign driving licence has expired, then you will need to pass a theory and an actual test before you are able to obtain a full license. Those with disabilities and specific health conditions may have to pass additional tests. In the case of the second scenario, doctors will conduct an exam to evaluate your driving abilities. The test is comprised of a formal examination and a drive in a parking area, as well as an interview with the examiner. French drivers must carry their driving license and vehicle registration at all times. permis de conduire français en must also carry an insurance policy for their cars and other vehicles. Check with your insurance company to confirm that your policy covers driving in France and is current. It can be a challenge to obtain a license in the new country you're moving to, but with the assistance of a reliable driving school, you can accomplish it. While you don't need a driving school to obtain your French driving license, they can assist you in the process by taking care of the paperwork and scheduling for you.
