By Foreign licence in France in 60 seconds
If your country is on the list
- Exchange within 12 months of becoming a French resident.
- Free via ANTS (online national administration portal).
- Insurance OK in the meantime : provide the foreign licence at subscription.
If your country is NOT on the list
- You must pass the French driving test within 12 months.
- French insurers usually require a French permis to subscribe.
- International driving permit only valid as a tourist, not as a resident.
Tourist vs French resident : the legal distinction
As a tourist (less than 6 months/year in France)
You can drive with your foreign licence indefinitely : no exchange required. Conditions :
- Licence in Latin alphabet (English, Spanish, etc.) : accepted as-is ;
- Licence in non-Latin alphabet (Chinese, Arabic, Russian, etc.) : bring an international driving permit (IDP) issued by your home country, or a sworn translation ;
- Same minimum age requirements as French drivers (18 for cars, 16 for scooters) ;
- Licence must be valid in your home country.
As a French resident (over 6 months/year)
You become a French resident as soon as you :
- Have your main home in France for over 6 months/year, OR
- Are registered for taxes in France, OR
- Hold a long-stay visa or carte de séjour.
From that moment, you have 12 months to either :
- Exchange your licence for a French permis if your country is on the reciprocal list, OR
- Pass the French driving test if your country is not on the list.
Reciprocal-exchange country list
France has bilateral agreements with about 75 countries and US states for licence exchange without a driving test. Most expat-relevant entries :
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EU / EEA member states | Recognised directly | No exchange needed (just for renewal). Brexit changed this for UK. |
| United Kingdom | Reciprocal exchange | Post-Brexit agreement of June 2021. Photo card licence required. |
| Canada (most provinces) | Reciprocal exchange | Confirmed for : Alberta, BC, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, PEI, Quebec, Saskatchewan. |
| United States (some states) | Partial reciprocity | Approx. 18 states have reciprocity (CT, DE, FL, IL, KS, MD, MA, MI, NC, NH, NJ, OH, OK, PA, SC, TX, VT, VA, WV) : others require driving test. |
| Australia | Partial | Some territories yes (NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD), others no. Confirm with your state. |
| New Zealand | Reciprocal exchange | Standard licence accepted. |
| Switzerland | Reciprocal | Direct exchange. |
| India, Pakistan, China, Japan | Not reciprocal | Must pass French driving test. |
Updated periodically. Verify the current list at service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1462.
How to exchange your licence
- Check your country/state is on the reciprocal list via service-public.fr.
- Apply via ANTS (Agence nationale des titres sécurisés), the national online portal : ants.gouv.fr. Free service.
- Documents needed :
- Original foreign licence (will be sent in) ;
- Sworn translation if not in French (UK : not needed, English-language original accepted) ;
- Proof of identity (passport) ;
- Proof of address in France (lease, utility bill — see our housing guide) ;
- Proof of residency for over 185 days ;
- 4 photos (official format) ;
- For US/Canada : "driving record" / "abstract" from your DMV/state authority dated within 6 months.
- Submit online and wait. Processing usually takes 3 to 9 months. You'll receive a "récépissé" (receipt) you can show police if stopped.
- Receive your French permis by post.
Impact on car insurance
During the 12-month grace period
You can subscribe French car insurance with your foreign licence. Most insurers accept :
- UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland licences without question ;
- US licences with driving record / abstract ;
- EU licences recognised as French ;
- Other countries case by case : Direct Assurance, Allianz, GAN Eurocourtage are the most flexible.
After the 12-month deadline
Critical : if you haven't exchanged or passed the French test, your foreign licence is no longer legally valid for driving in France. Insurance consequences :
- Your contract is technically void : fraud (article L113-8) for misrepresentation of legal status ;
- Claims can be refused : if you have an accident after the deadline, the insurer may refuse to indemnify ;
- Police can fine you for driving without a valid licence (€135 forfait, up to €15,000 in court) ;
- You're personally liable for any damage to others.
Don't gamble on this : start the exchange process early.
Live ranking : 7 insurers flexible on foreign licences
Selectra-vetted insurers known to accept foreign driving licences (with conditions per country). Sorted by partner status then by Selectra score.
| Insurer | Type | Score | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Traditional |  |
Free quote → |
 |
Neo-broker | |
Free quote → |
 |
Neo-broker |  |
Free quote → |
 |
Neo-broker | |
Free quote → |
 |
Online |  |
Free quote → |
 |
Online |  |
Free quote → |
 |
Traditional | |
Free quote → |
Live data from Selectra Insurance API · Updated 4 May 2026.
Country-by-country specifics
United Kingdom (post-Brexit)
Reciprocal exchange agreement signed in June 2021. UK photo-card licence accepted. Apply via ANTS within 12 months of becoming a French resident. Most insurers accept UK no-claims bonus with a translated certificate.
United States
Reciprocity is state-by-state. Approximately 18 states have agreements (Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia). For non-reciprocal states (California, New York…) : you must pass the French test. Provide a certified driving abstract from your state DMV dated within 6 months.
Canada
Most provinces have reciprocity (Alberta, BC, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, PEI, Quebec, Saskatchewan). Provide a "driving record" or "abstract" from your provincial transportation authority.
Australia
Reciprocity for NSW, Victoria, ACT, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania. Specifics vary by state. Generally : provide your Australian licence, no driving record needed.
Non-reciprocal countries
India, Pakistan, China, Japan, most African and Middle Eastern countries, most Latin American countries : no reciprocity. You must pass the French driving test within 12 months. The test is available in French only ; some test centres accept driving examiner translation services.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 12-month clock start ?
From the moment you become a French resident : typically the date of your long-stay visa, carte de séjour, or first French address registration. Tourists don't have a deadline.
Can I drive with a foreign licence as a tourist ?
Yes, indefinitely, while you remain a non-resident. Latin-alphabet licences accepted as-is ; non-Latin alphabet : bring an international driving permit or sworn translation.
My country isn't on the reciprocal list : what do I do ?
You must pass the French driving test (theoretical "code" + practical) within 12 months of becoming a French resident. Test centres in major cities ; instruction in French only. Practical test costs €40, theory €30, plus driving school fees.
Will I get my French licence before the 12-month deadline ?
Processing takes 3 to 9 months on average. The ANTS récépissé serves as proof of pending exchange : police accept it as a substitute. Your insurer should too.
Which insurers accept foreign licences ?
During the 12-month grace period : virtually all of them. Direct Assurance, Allianz International, AXA International, GAN Eurocourtage are particularly flexible. Mutuelles (MAIF, Matmut) are stricter : generally require a French permis.
UK : do I need to do the IDP ?
No, since the post-Brexit agreement of June 2021. Your UK photo-card licence is accepted directly for both driving and exchange.