IMPORTANT – Information on Exchange of Driving Licences – British Embassy Announcement

 

The UK and France have agreed new arrangements for recognising and exchanging UK driving licences in France. The new systems are not yet live, so you cannot currently exchange your licence. We will update this page as soon as the systems are live.

 

Under the new arrangements:

If your UK driving licence was issued before 1 January 2021

Your licence is recognised in France for as long as it is valid.

If your UK licence has expired, or is due to expire, you will be able to exchange it for a French licence. When you have applied you will receive your ‘attestation de dépôt sécurisée’. You can use this document to drive in France until your new licence arrives.

If your UK driving licence was issued on or after 1 January 2021

You will be able to continue using your licence for up to 1 year from the date of issue of your residency permit. If you intend to stay in France longer than 1 year, you must exchange your UK licence for a French licence during this first year. You will not need to take a driving test.

If you are visiting France and you have a UK photocard licence , you do not need to carry an additional International Driving Permit (IDP).