French Driving License: 10 Things I Wish I d Known Earlier
How to Get a French Driving License
If you are an expat it is an excellent idea to enroll in driving school. They will take care of all the paperwork for you and decrease your wait time for the test date.
The French driving license (permis) is a pink credit-card. It could take between one week to several months to get.
Theory test
The driving theory test (le code) is an important step in the French license process. The test focuses on traffic laws and road safety rules, and you can prepare for it by reading an instruction manual or by using mobile apps designed to help you master. You can also take a no-cost online test to practice. The test is administered digitally in the testing center with tablets. You must answer 35 questions correctly to pass.
Like many countries as with most countries, the French driver's license can only be obtained after passing both the practical and theoretical test. However, the French driving test is known to be difficult. According to statistics, only 54.4 percent of males and 59.2% women passed the theory test the first time. The pass rate for the practical exam was even lower, with 58.6% males and 52.8% women. For those with disabilities or health conditions may have to undergo extra tests.
You may take the theory test at a driving academy, which will organise your lessons and the exam for you, or take it as an independent candidate. You need to register for a "NEPH – numéro d'enregistrement préfectoral harmonise" on the official website of the agency for government ANTS. This number is required to reserve the date for your theory test.
Many driving schools, such as Pass Rousseau, offer online preparation courses that mix live classes and online practice. These courses can be expensive but they can help you save time. Some schools, like Fehrenbach, cater to English speakers. However, they are more expensive than a traditional French driving school.
If you hold an official driving license from one of the countries that is part of the European Union, you can exchange it to an French licence if you have a residence permit in France. The process can take a long time and you will need to provide a translation by an official translator.
If you don't speak French, you can still take the theory test by using an interpreter. You can take the test as many times you like and without a waiting time. The standard theory test costs EUR30.
Practical test
If you are planning to drive a vehicle in France you must pass a theoretical test (known as le Code) and a practical test. You can either pass the theory and practical tests at a driving school that will arrange your lessons and tests and you can also do it by yourself. If you decide to be an independent candidate, you will be required to sign up for an NEPH number - Numero d'enregistrement prefectural harmonise – on the official website of the government agency ANTS.
The exam, also known as le Code, consists of 40 questions that have multiple-choice answers that cover topics such as traffic laws, road safety rules and driving regulations. There are free study guides and practice programs online, or buy a Code de la Route book from a bookshop or online. It is possible to achieve a pass mark with 20 points or more, as long as you don't make errors that are deemed to be fatal (crossing a solid line, driving to the left, not observing the stop sign or the rules of priority).
During the practical test, a judge will evaluate your ability to drive under normal traffic conditions in the vehicle you choose. The test is composed of 25 minutes of driving time and lasts approximately two hours. The examiner will also ask you to show your knowledge of basic first aid. The test is repeated five times over three years.
As an external candidate, you may bring a tutor along to the test however, they are not allowed to charge more than the price of a session. If you are taking a driving course, you are able to bring an instructor to the test. If you fail the practical test, you may retake 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 even before moving to France. The test can be challenging for non-French speakers, and you should aim to have an acceptable level of proficiency by the time you take it.
Passing the test
Before taking the test to get their French driving license, prospective drivers should be aware a few important things. Before they can drive in France, they must pass the theory and practical tests. They also must have their car insured and purchase a pollution sticker ("conduit accompanye").
The code is the first step. The test consists of oral and multiple-choice questions. The next step is to take the practical exam, which is more difficult and requires a lot of practice. The test will test your understanding of road rules and what to do if you are faced with an emergency like someone who is unconscious or seriously injured.
After you have passed the practical and theory tests, you will be issued an official document titled the certificate d'examen du permis of driving. The document is valid for 4 months and can be downloaded onto your smartphone or Licencefrancexpress tablet. This is what you need to provide to the police if you are stopped. The word "favorable" is going to appear at the bottom of the document and will be highlighted.
Your driver's licence must be renewed every 15 years. You can do this by filling in an administrative form and paying the fee. You will also need to provide proof of your address and identity. You can do this online or in person at your local prefecture. You can monitor the status of your license online by entering your file number and personal code.
It is essential to be aware of the French demerit points system in addition the driving regulations. You can lose your license after an aggravated offense or having too many points. You could also lose your license if do not pay fines or been involved in an accident that is serious.
It is also crucial to be aware of the fact that France operates on the right side of the road and priority is given to traffic coming from the right. Moreover, you should keep in mind that the speed allowed on both departmental and national roads is 80 km/h. However the speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h on local roads and in cities.
Getting your license
It can be a challenge to obtain a driving licence in France, whether you have recently completed your French test or are an expat driver for the first time. You must be aware of the rules and requirements to get a license to avoid being stopped by police or causing an accident due to insufficient driving permits. In order to avoid any hassle the best thing you can do is obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) beforehand. This small piece of paper has to be carried when driving abroad. It translates your driver's permit into several foreign languages. They are cheap ($20) and can be obtained from your local AAA branch. Even car rental companies accept these.
The majority of expats can swap their licenses to one that is a French one, if 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 as well as a medical certificate. two envelopes addressed to yourself.
If you don't have a valid identification or your driving licence from another country has expired, you'll have to pass a theory and practical test prior to obtaining an official license. Individuals with disabilities or health issues may need to pass additional tests.
In the case of the latter, an exam will be administered by an expert doctor who will evaluate your ability to drive. The test is comprised of a formal examination and a drive in a parking lot as well as an interview with the examiner.
All French drivers are required to carry their driving licence and vehicle registration with them at all at all times. French drivers also need to carry an insurance policy for their vehicles and cars. It is recommended to check with your insurer to ensure that your policy includes driving in France, and that it is current.
Getting your license in the country where you have made your new home may seem daunting, but with a little preparation and the help of a driving instructor it is easy. Although you don't require an instructor in driving to obtain your French license, they will simplify the process by managing all the paperwork and scheduling.