Meet Your Fellow French Driving License Enthusiasts. Steve Jobs Of The French Driving License Industry
How to Get a French Driving License
If you are an expat it is recommended to enroll in driving schools. They will handle all the paperwork for you and cut down on your wait time for an exam date.
It could take anywhere from a couple of weeks or even months to get your French license (Permis D de conduire) that comes in the form of a pink credit card.
Theory test
The driving theory test (le code) is an important step in the French license process. You can prepare by reading the manual and using mobile apps to aid you learn. The test is about road safety and traffic laws. You can also take a no-cost online test to practice. The exam is conducted digitally using tablets at the test center, and you must correctly answer at least 35 of the questions to pass.
Similar to other countries, you are able to get the French driving license after passing both the theoretical and practical tests. However the French driving test is known for being difficult. According to recent statistics that only 59.2 percent of males and 54.4 percent of women passed their test on their first try, while the passing rate for the practical test was lower at 58.6 percent for men and 52.8 percent for women. For those with medical conditions or disabilities may require additional tests.
You may take the theory test at a driving school which will organise your lessons and the exam for you, or take it as an independent candidate. You must register for a "NEPH – numéro permis d'enregistrement préfectoral harmonise" on the official website of the government agency ANTS. This number is required to make a reservation for the theory test.
Many driving schools, like Pass Rousseau offer online preparation courses that combine online practice with live classes. These courses can be costly, but can help you save time. Certain schools, like Fehrenbach offer courses to English people. However they cost more than a typical French driving school.
If you possess a valid driving licence from an area that is a member of the European Union, you can exchange it for one of the French licence if you hold a residence permit in France. The process is lengthy and you'll have to provide the official translator.
If you don't speak French however, you can take the test using a translator. You can take the test any number of times you want, with no waiting period. The cost for the regular theory test is EUR30.
Practical test
If you wish 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 practical tests through a driving school that will arrange your tests and lessons, or you can do it on your own. If you decide to be an independent candidate, you will need to register for a NEPH number - Numero d'enregistrement Prefectural harmonise - on the website of government agency ANTS.
The exam's theoretical component is known as le Code and consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, covering topics such as traffic laws, road safety rules and driving regulations. You can find free study guides and practice apps online, or purchase an Code de la Route book at a bookshop or on the internet. It's possible to get a pass mark with 20 or more points, in the event that you don't commit mistake that could be considered to be a grave error (crossing an established line, driving on the left, not observing a stop sign or ignoring priority rules).
During the practical exam an examiner will test your ability to drive under normal traffic conditions and in your car you choose. The test consists of 25 minutes of driving, and lasts for around two hours total. The examiner will also ask you to demonstrate your understanding of basic first aid. The test can be taken up to five times in three years.
As an outside candidate, you can bring a tutor along to the test, but they cannot charge more than the cost of a session. However, if you are studying at an driving school, they are able to assign an instructor to accompany you during the test. If you fail the practical test, you can retake it up to five times.
Note that the theory and the practice tests are conducted in French, so you'll need a good level of fluency in French. It's best to plan ahead and begin learning early prior to moving to France. The test can be difficult for non-French speakers. Therefore, you must aim to attain a decent level of proficiency before you take the test.
Passing the test
Before taking the test to get their French driving license, prospective drivers must be aware of some important points. They must pass both the theory and practical test before they are able to drive on French roads. They also must be insured for their vehicle and purchase a pollution sticker ("conduit accompagnée").
The first step is to take the theory test that is also known as le code. The exam consists of multiple-choice tests and an oral explanation. The next step is to take the practical test, which is a more difficult test and requires a lot of practice. The examiner will ask you to prove your knowledge of the rules of the road and what to do in an emergency like when someone is seriously injured or is unconscious.
After passing the theory and practical test After passing the test, you will receive the certificate permis d'examen de permis de conduire international 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 when you are stopped. The word "favorable" will be indicated at the bottom of the document.
You must renew your driver's licence every 15 years. This can be done by filling in an administrative form and paying the fee. You will also need to provide proof of your address and identification. You can either do this online, or in person at your local prefecture. You can track the status of your license online by entering your file number and personal code.
In addition to the driving rules It is also important to be aware of the French demerit points system. You could lose your driving license if commit a major crime or 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 operates on the right side of the road and that priority is given to traffic coming from the right. Also, you should be aware that the speed limit for the national and departmental highways 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 regardless of whether you've just completed your French test or are an expat driver for the first time. There are specific regulations and license requirements that you must be aware of to avoid being pulled over by the police or causing an accident because of insufficient driving licenses. To avoid any hassle the best thing to do is to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) prior to your trip. This tiny piece of paper has to be carried when driving abroad. It translates your driver's license into multiple foreign languages. These are a bargain ($20) and can be obtained from your local AAA branch. Even car rental companies accept these.
Most expats can exchange their licenses for a French one, provided that their country of origin has reciprocal agreements with France. The process can take anywhere between a few weeks to a few months, based on the prefecture's workload. You'll also need two passport photos recently taken and a medical certificate, and two envelopes addressed to yourself.
If you don't have a valid driver's license or your foreign driving licence has expired, then you will need to pass a theory and a practical test before you can get a full license. People with disabilities or other health conditions might have to undergo further tests.
In the event of the latter, an exam will be conducted by an experienced doctor who will test your capability to drive. The test includes a theoretical exam, a practical driving test in a parking area and a conversation with the examiner.
All French drivers must keep their driving licence and vehicle registration at all times. They also must carry an insurance policy for cars and other vehicles. Contact your insurance company to confirm that your policy covers driving in France and is up-to-date.
It may seem difficult to get your license in the new country you're moving to, but with the assistance of a reliable driving school you can do it. Although you don't necessarily need an instructor to get your French driving license, they can assist you in the process by doing all of the paperwork and scheduling for you.
