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Important information

Target audience

AudienceStatutory refugees, Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, Beneficiaries of temporary protection

Price

Free of charge

Where is it?

Driver's licence exchange

Updated on il y a 3 mois

What is it?

Do you have a driving license (obtained in your country of origin) and you want to drive in France? Exchanging your license for a French license is mandatory.

In fact, a permit issued by a non-European state is only recognized the first year of your installation in France.

You have a maximum of one year after the OFPRA decision (refugee status, subsidiary protection or stateless person) to complete the permit exchange process.

How to do it?

To be exchanged, your license must meet the following conditions:

  • Be valid
  • Have been issued by a State practicing the reciprocal exchange of driving licenses with France.

    You can use this online simulator (click here) to check if your foreign driving license can be exchanged for a French license.
  • Have been issued by the country in which you lived before settling in France
  • Be written in French or be accompanied by an official translation.

    > To read: the Refugees.info sheet "Obtaining the official translation of a document"
If you do not meet these conditions, you must take the driving license exam in France.
> To read: the Réfugiés.info sheets " Taking the driving license with a driving school" , "Taking the driving license as a free candidate" .

You must complete the permit exchange process less than one year after obtaining the receipt indicating the status of refugee or beneficiary of subsidiary protection or stateless person.

After one year, the exchange of licenses is no longer accepted.

To exchange your driving licence, you need these documents in digital version:

  • Double-sided color image of the original driver's license,

    > To read: the Refugees.info sheet "Scanning a document"
  • Official translation of the license in French,
  • Proof of identity (receipt or residence permit),
  • Proof of address less than 6 months old: accepted documents here,
  • Proof of normal residence if you do not have the nationality of the country issuing the permit (for example: employment contract in the country where you lived before and where you had the permit),
  • Digital photo-signature.

    > To read: the Refugees.info sheet "Making and using an e-photo"

The exchange of the driving license is done online only on the ANTS website.

If you wish to be guided to make your request online, you can be accompanied in one of the digital points of your department or in a France Services space. It is necessary to make an appointment before coming.

What happens next?

To follow your request, you can go to the ANTS website by logging into your space.

Processing time can take several months. During this time, you can drive with your foreign license.

You can find all the answers to the most frequently asked questions by clicking on this link.

You can also contact ANTS:

  • If you live in Paris: via this form .
  • If you live outside Paris: viathis form at the bottom of the page.
  • by telephone at 34 00 in mainland France (non-premium rate number / Monday to Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

You will be informed on your space on the ANTS website and by email or SMS.

You will be told how to send your foreign license and collect your new license.

When the administration receives the original of your permit, you can download a secure deposit certificate (ADS) from the ANTS website.

The ADS is valid for 4 months.

This certificate allows you to drive while waiting to receive your French license within the limit of the recognition period of your foreign license.

If your file is refused, appeal solutions will be indicated on the refusal decision.

You can also choose to retake the driving license exam. As a holder of a foreign driving license, you do not need to do the 20 hours of practical training (the "driving hours") for learning to drive, by registering as a "free candidate" (i.e. without going to a driving school).

> To read: the Réfugiés.info sheet “ Take the driving test as a free candidate

If your original license was issued by a country of the European Union or the European Economic Area less than 5 years ago, you are exempt from taking the test of the highway code.

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