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 .

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.

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.

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 ).

It is possible to take the code:

• from 15 years old with early learning to drive
• from 16 years old with traditional apprenticeship.

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

1. Identity document: valid passport or residence permit

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

• Exacode
• France code
• The Post Office
• SGS
• Dekra
• Code point
• Bureau Veritas

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

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).

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