Buy the French B Driving License Online
The first step in driving in France is to obtain an French license. This can be done online through the ANTS website.
The B license permits the driver to drive vehicles that weigh less than 3.5 tons and have a maximum of 9 seats. This includes standard passenger cars as well as people carriers.
Driver's license exam
You will need to pass a written exam known as the code de la route (road code), and a practical driving test to obtain your French driving license. You may have to attend more driving lessons to prepare for your test. You may also opt to enroll in a driver's training program that will handle the training and scheduling for you. There are no limitations on how many times you can sit for the test, and it costs EUR30 per time.
You can also take the test as an independent candidate. However this option is only available to people who have a driver's license from their country of origin that is issued in English. In addition, you must provide a medical certificate or www.Licencefrancexpress.com a document certifying your handicap, known as a "reconnaissance de qualite de travailleur handicape". You are able to take the test at one of the special sessions (examen ETG spécifique) for non-French speaking candidates.
To pass the driving test in the practical you must achieve an at-least 20 points and no eliminatory error. It is not possible to tell if you have passed or failed the practical driving test by the test taker. However you can verify the results online 48 hours after the test using your NEPH. You can download the digital version of your license once you've verified your success. The France Titres page to purchase your French driving licence will allow you to order your physical French license online.
In France, a new driver's license is valid for five years. After five years, you will need to renew your driving license by making a new application to the prefecture. You'll be required to bring along your old driving license as well as a passport photo and a French address. You can also apply for a new driving licence if you want to add a different type of vehicle, or change the name on your current licence. To be eligible, you must have been living in France for a minimum of six months. You must also have a valid health insurance policy that covers third-party insurance for automobiles.
Exchange of foreign driver's license
There are certain requirements you must satisfy if you're moving from your country of origin to France with a valid driver's license. You can only exchange a license when there's an agreement to reciprocate between France and your home country, and it is still valid. You'll have to pass a French driving test in case you do not. The process of applying for a license can take up to two years but now that it's online, the process seems to be moving faster.
If you hold an international license from a country which is a member of EU or European Free Trade Association, (EFTA - Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), or if your British or Northern Irish licence was issued prior to 2013, then you can use it to drive in France. However, you must take out third-party liability car insurance before you are allowed to drive. These licences are known as "permis de driving". They resemble a credit card and list your personal information and the vehicles you can drive.
You must also be above the legal driving age in your country of origin. You also have to be over the legal driving age in your country of origin. Then, there are other conditions that you must satisfy, like the fact that your license was issued prior to the time you arrived in France. The driving license must be in your name, written in your native language or with an official translation. It must be valid in the country in which you reside and must have been issued prior to the expiration date of your visa or residence permit.
New drivers in France begin with six points on their driving licences. They can earn up to 12 points in total. Every time you are found guilty of an offense, you can either get a fine or have points taken off your licence. Your license could be suspended depending on the amount of points you've earned. If you're planning to stay in France for a long period, you should take the trouble to learn how to drive in France.
Learn to drive in France
You can sign up for a driving school or learn to drive on your own if you are planning to move to France. Whatever option you choose it will require some significant hurdles to get through. The process to obtain your license in France can take up to three months due to a shortage of driving examiners. The actual test is similar to the UK's two-part theory exam and a practical test.
The first thing you'll need do is pass the 'highway code test', or 'lecode'. This is a comprehensive test that will take at least a few months to complete, so don't attempt to rush it or your French driver is likely to take a swipe at you (not as we have learned from personal experiences). This phase involves learning the rules of the road and taking a lot of'mock tests'. Then when you're confident enough you're ready to take on the real test.
The next step is to complete some time in a supervised driving with a professional driver. This is called conduite supervisee in France and you'll have to be registered with a prefecture before being recognized as such. Apparently you will need to complete at least 20 hours of this before you even think about taking the test.
You'll also need keep a log of all your journeys. This is to ensure that you don't simply drive to school and back every day (that would be 3000 kilometers but will not get you anywhere). The route must be varied, which means driving in your village every day for a whole year may not suffice. If you commit a major offense like driving drunk or speeding you will get a fine and lose points off your French driver's license.
Another thing to remember is that the left lane is only for cars passing by, not for driving at a snail's pace in. Be ready to be stopped in the event of driving too fast in the left lane on dual carriageways.
Insurance
If you intend to drive in France you'll require a French B driving license. This license allows drivers to drive cars up to 3.5 tons. The permit also allows you to drive vehicles that have less than nine seats. The permit is valid for 15 years from the date of the issue. You may have to undergo a medical examination to maintain your license depending on your age or vehicle category.
You will also need an insurance policy for third party liability for your vehicle. This policy will cover you in the event of an accident, or theft. In addition, you must carry your driving license, insurance documents, and the car registration documents with you at all times. In some cases you may also require carrying your passport.
It's not difficult to purchase and insure your car in France. It's easy and straightforward, particularly in the case of a foreign driving license from an EU/EFTA country. This is because some states have reciprocal agreements with France and France, which makes the process much easier.
A French driving licence (permis de driving) is an official document that contains your personal details as well as the type of vehicle you're permitted to drive, as well as the date of issue and expiration date. It also serves as a valid ID in most locations. It's a pink plastic credit card-sized card.
It's important to know that should your French permit is stolen or lost, you must report it immediately. You can do this by going to the ANTS website. Then, you will receive an interim license that is valid for two months. If you've committed an offense you may be fined or lose points from your license. The maximum amount is twelve points.