Buy the French B Driving License Online
If you're planning to drive in France, the first step is to obtain the French driver's license. This can be done online through the ANTS website.
The B license permits you to drive vehicles that weigh less than 3.5 tonnes and with a maximum of nine seats. This includes standard passenger vehicles as well as people carriers.
Driver's license test
You will need to pass a written exam called the code de la route (road code) and a driving test to obtain your driving license in France. In some cases, you may need to spend additional hours of driving lessons to prepare for the test. You can also enroll in a driving school that will prepare and teach you. There are no limitations on how many times you can take the exam and it's priced at EUR30 each time.
You may also take the code exam as an independent candidate, however this option is only valid for people with a driver's license from their home country that has been issued in English. In addition, you must provide a medical certificate or a document certifying your handicap, known as a "reconnaissance de qualite de travailleur handicape". You can then take the test at one of the special sessions designed for non-French speakers (examen ETG specifique).
To pass the practical driving test you must achieve at least 20 points and no eliminatory error. You will not be told if you have passed or failed the practical driving test by the test taker. However you can verify the results online for 48 hours after your test using your NEPH. After you've confirmed your pass or fail you can download a copy of the permit. The France Titres page to order your French driving license allows you to buy your physical French license online.
In France, a new driver's license is valid for five years. After five years, you will have to renew your licence by submitting a new application with the prefecture. You'll have to bring your previous driving licence, along with a passport photograph and an address in France. You can also apply for a new driving licence if your intention is to add a different category of vehicle, or change the name of your current licence. But you must have been in France for at least six months in order to be eligible. You must also hold a valid health insurance policy that covers third-party insurance for automobiles.
Exchange of driving licenses from abroad
If you're planning to move to France and already have a driver's licence from your home country, there are some requirements you must meet. You are able to exchange a licence only in the event of an agreement to reciprocate between France and your home country, and the license is still valid. If not, you'll need take an French driving test and pass it. The process of applying for a license can take up to two years but now that it is online, the process seems to be moving faster.
If your foreign licence is from a country that is an EU member EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA - Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) or If you have a British or Northern Irish license that was issued prior to 2013, you can use it in France. However you must get third-party liability car insurance prior to the time you are allowed to drive. These kinds of licenses are referred to as "Permis D de conduire." They are the shape and size like a credit card and include your personal information, as well as the vehicles you're allowed to drive.
You must also be over the legal driving age in the country you are from. You must also be older than the legal driving age of your country. There are also other conditions you must meet. For example, your license must be valid prior to the time you arrived to France. The license must be issued in your own name and in your native language, or it could be accompanied by a translation. It must be valid in the country where you reside and must have been issued before the expiration date of your visa or residence permit.
New drivers in France begin with six points on their driving licences. The maximum amount of points they can receive is twelve. Every time you are found guilty of an offense, you can either get a fine or have points removed from your license. Depending on how many you have, your licence could be suspended for a specified period of time. If you intend to remain in France for an extended period of time, it's a good idea to learn how to drive.
Learn to drive in France
You can take an instructor-led driving course or learn to drive on your own if you are planning to move to France. Whatever option you choose it will be a long process with serious hoops to jump through. The process to obtain your license in France could be as long as 3 months due to a shortage in driving examiners. However the actual test is similar to the two-part theory and practical test that is offered in the UK.
One of the first things you will need to pass is the highway code test, also known as 'le code' for short. It is a thorough test that should take at least a couple of months to complete. Don't hurry through it or your French driver might take you to court. This is basically learning about the highway code and taking a lot of'mock' tests. Once you're confident, you're ready to take on the real test.
The next step is to perform some time in a supervised driving with a professional driver. In France, this is called conduite supervisee and you must sign up with the prefecture in order to be able to get approval. It is believed that you must complete at least 20 hours before you even consider taking the test.
Another aspect of accompanied driving is that you will have to keep a log of every journey you take. This is intended to ensure that you are not just going to school and back every day (that would count for 3000 kilometres but it isn't going to get you anywhere!) These trips also need to be diverse, so driving around your community for a year might not cut it. You could be penalized and lose points on your French driving license if you commit a serious crime, such as drunken driving or speeding.
The left lane should only be used to pass cars and not for driving at a slow pace. If you're on the dual carriageway and you drive slowly in the left lane you're likely to get pulled over by a French traffic policeman, so be prepared.
Insurance
If you intend to drive in France you'll need a French B driving license. This permit allows drivers to drive cars up to 3.5 tons. It also allows you to operate vehicles with fewer than nine seats. The permit is valid for 15 years after the date of the issue. You may have to undergo a medical test to maintain your license depending on your age or vehicle category.
You will also require the third-party liability insurance for your vehicle. This policy will cover you in the case of an accident or theft. It is also essential to keep your driving licence along with insurance documents and vehicle registration documents at all times. In certain situations you'll need to carry your passport with you at all times.
Insuring and purchasing your car in France isn't easy however it doesn't need to be. It's simple and straightforward, particularly if you have an international driving license from an EU/EFTA country. This is due to the fact that some states have reciprocal agreements with France that make the process much easier.
A French driving licence (permis de conduire) is an official document that contains your personal details as well as the type of vehicle you're allowed to drive, and the date of the issue and expiry date. In most cases, it also serves as a proof of identification. It is an attractive pink plastic card that is about the size of a credit card.
It is important to be aware that if your French permit is lost or stolen you must notify the police immediately. This can be done by visiting the ANTS website. You'll then receive a temporary permit that's valid for two months. If you have committed an offence, you could be fined or lose points from your license. The maximum number of points is twelve.