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Take the driving license test as a free candidate

Proposed by Comité de la Démarche Accessible Updated on 4 дні тому

The B license allows you to drive a car, a van, a camper van of up to 3.5 tonnes and a maximum of 9 seats.
It is also possible to drive a 125m3 light motorcycle or a 3-wheel scooter, but with conditions.

To obtain a B license, there are two parts to pass:
- a theoretical exam (the highway code)
- a practical test (driving).

You must be 17 years old or older to take it, but it is possible to register for the code from the age of 15 (early learning to drive) or 16 (classic learning).

Taking the exam as an independent candidate means without a driving school: you do not pay for the training, but you must prepare on your own.

If you prefer to have the support of a driving school, the " Take your driving test with a driving school " sheet explains how to do this.
If you have already held a driving licence in your home country or in another country, it is possible to request an exchange for a French licence, without retaking the test.
But the situation may be different depending on the country.
> Read the Réfugiés.info fact sheet Exchanging your driving license

How to do it?

To register, you must:

  • be 17 years old or older (or 15 years old for a license with early driving lessons)
  • hold the ASSR 2 or the ASR if this is the first license you are taking and you were born after 1988
  • live in France for 6 months or more and have a valid residence permit
  • have a medical certificate of fitness to drive if you have a disability or disabling illness. Everything is explained here .
The ASR (Road Safety Certificate) is a free, short and simple exam with 20 questions on general road safety knowledge.
Middle school students in 3e in France must take this exam called the level 2 road safety school certificate (ASSR 2).

There are various financial aids available to pay for and pass the driving test, available for:

  • young people aged 15 to 25,
  • apprentices aged 18 and over,
  • unemployed people,
  • people with disabilities.

Everything is explained here. You can use this simulator to find out what help is available near you.

If you have already worked, you can also use your personal training account (CPF) to pay for the driving license test (code and driving) for all vehicle categories.

> Read the Réfugiés.info fact sheet Using the personal training account (CPF)

The highway code test (also called the "general theory test" or "ETG") is a questionnaire with 40 questions on 11 topics: parking rules, signs, visibility, etc.

You must have at least 35 correct answers to pass the exam.

Passing the highway code test is mandatory to learn to drive and take the practical B license test.

Here are some tips to help you prepare:

  • buy access to a highway code training course at an online driving school and practice online
  • buy or borrow a small book with explanations of the rules and signs
  • download an app
  • watch free videos online (example: the YouTube channel My Driving School at Home ).
You can test your knowledge on the road safety website and try to answer 24 questions.

It is possible to take the code:

You need these documents in digital version (scan or photo):

1. Identity document: valid passport or residence permit

You can use this simulator to find out which identity documents are accepted.
Minors (under 18) or persons under legal guardianship also need a copy of the identity document of the legal representative (parent or guardian).

2. Proof of address less than 6 months old: electricity or gas bill, mobile phone bill, etc.
> Read the Réfugiés.info file Scan a document

3. An e-photo (or digital signature photo)
> Read the Réfugiés.info fact sheet: Taking and using an e-photo

4. If necessary, a medical opinion (cerfa form no. 14880)

Please note that other documents may be required depending on your situation:

  • the workbook if you have already been registered in a driving school
  • a copy of your driving licence if you have a licence of another category or if you are not taking the highway code test
  • the decision to cancel, invalidate or suspend the driving license...
You also need a permit file number: the harmonized prefectural registration number ( NEPH ).
You must make the request yourself on the France Titres website (formerly ANTS, national agency for secure titles).

You also have the option to connect with your FranceConnect account.
> Read the Réfugiés.info sheet Use FranceConnect to connect to a website

You can then register at an approved examination center in France to take the highway code:

You will receive an invitation by email to print with all the information: date and location, supporting documents to take with you (identity document, NEPH) on the day of the exam.

The exam costs 30 euros, payable directly at the exam center. If you do not pass, you must pay another 30 euros to retake the exam.

If you do not speak French well, you can hire an interpreter in your native language to translate the questions on the day of the exam. You must pay for this service and choose a certified professional as explained here.
You must then contact the Departmental Directorate in charge of territories (DDT or DDTM) in your department to find out the dates, times and locations of the examination, and the documents to bring.

If you prefer to be accompanied by a driving school, it takes care of:
- preparation for the highway code exam
- the NEPH request (harmonized prefectural registration number)
- registration in an examination center.
> Read the Réfugiés.info fact sheet Pass your driving test with a driving school

As a private candidate, you can prepare with a relative who accompanies you .

The accompanying person must respect several conditions:

  • have held a B license for at least 5 years
  • not have been sanctioned, in the previous 5 years, by a cancellation or invalidation of their driving license
  • have signed the accompanying person's charter
  • check that you are following safety rules, especially speed limits.

His/her car must be insured and have the following equipment:

  • for the learner driver: interior rearview mirror + left exterior side mirror + right exterior side mirror
  • for the accompanying person: interior rearview mirror + right exterior side rearview mirror or equivalent rearview device + dual control devices
  • on the back of the car, a disc with the letter "A" (Learner) to show that you are a beginner driver
  • your workbook and your driving license registration certificate (to be presented in the event of a check).
There is no minimum distance or number of hours to be respected.
You can also take driving lessons at a driving school if you want to complete your learning.

If you're learning to drive a car with an automatic transmission, you can obtain a special license that allows you to drive only automatic cars. If you want to drive manual cars, you'll need to complete an additional 7 hours of training.

After passing the highway code test and learning to drive, you can take your driving test.

It must be taken a maximum of 5 years after the highway code.

1. First create an account on the website Permisdeconduire.gouv.fr

It is also possible to connect with your FranceConnect account.
> Read the Réfugiés.info sheet Use FranceConnect to connect to a website

Please note, you need your harmonized prefectural registration number (NEPH), see step 4.

2. Make an appointment to take the practical driving test

3. Choose an exam center, date and time

4. Declare a relative who will accompany you on the day of the exam and attach a sworn statement specifying the personal or family relationship.

You receive by email all the information for the exam: location, date, time, invitation to print.

On the day of the exam, you must have a vehicle equipped with dual controls that complies with regulations. If you don't have one, you can also rent one.

On the day of the examination, you must present to the inspector your summons, an identity document, and the accompanying person's charter completed and signed by him/her.

The exam lasts approximately 30 minutes, with a minimum of 25 minutes of driving.
You will also have to do some maneuvers (parking, reversing, etc.) and answer some questions.
The inspector is with you in the car and gives you a score out of 31 points.
To pass the exam, you must have at least 20 points and avoid disqualifying errors (for example, crossing a continuous line, driving on the left, not respecting a stop sign, etc.).

Unlike the highway code, it is not possible to take your driving test accompanied by an interpreter, and no accommodations are provided for people who do not speak French. You must therefore know the precise vocabulary to best understand the inspector.

What happens next?

You can see the results online on the Road Safety website 48 hours after the exam.

  • If the result is "insufficient" (below 20 points and/or with an eliminatory fault), you will have to retake the exam and choose a new date.
  • If the result is "favourable" (20 points minimum and no eliminatory fault), you have succeeded, congratulations! You can then download your driver's license examination certificate (CEPC).
Accompanied by an identity document, this certificate allows you to drive for 4 months from the day of the exam.

As soon as you have your driving licence examination certificate (CEPC), go to the France Titres website (formerly ANTS) to request the production of your driving licence.

You can track the production and delivery of your permit online.

> Read the Réfugiés.info sheet Request the production of a driving license

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