RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in France

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence, category B

Getting your licence in France

Theory questions40
Pass mark35 correct
Time for the theory test~30 min
Theory test fee~€30
Driving test (schools charge to accompany you)Free
Driving test length32 min

The driving test is scored out of 31 points: you need at least 20, with no eliminating mistake.

Before you start driving

2
Learner registrationYou register with ANTS and get a learner number (NEPH). Lessons and practice use a learner's logbook.
Medical checkNo doctor's exam for a car licence, unless you have certain medical conditions.

Required lessons

2
Driving lessonsAt least 20 hours with a driving school, or 13 hours for an automatic-only licence.
Accompanied driving (AAC)From 15: at least 20 hours of lessons, then at least 3,000 km with a supervisor over at least 1 year.

Good to know

8
Minimum age17 for a car licence. You can register from 16, or from 15 for accompanied driving (AAC).
Licence validity15 years for category B. Your right to drive doesn't expire: you just renew the card.
Exam languagesThe theory test (code) is in French.
If you failTheory: book and pay again (about €30). Driving: your driving school books a new date, which can take weeks.
Automatic or manualPassing in an automatic limits you to automatics. A 7-hour course at a driving school lifts this, without another test.
New driversA probationary licence for 3 years (2 with accompanied driving). You start with 6 points instead of 12, and an 'A' sign goes on the back of the car.
Already have a licence from abroad?EU and EEA licences stay valid. Licences from countries with an exchange agreement (the UK, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and some US states) are exchanged without tests if you apply within 1 year. Others take the French tests.
Also worth knowing
  • Driving test slots can be scarce, and your school decides when you're presented. Ask about waiting times before you sign up.
  • The theory pass is valid for 5 years.

Step by step

  1. Register with ANTSGet your learner number (NEPH), usually through your driving school.
  2. Theory test (code)At an approved test centre: 40 questions, 35 correct.
  3. Driving lessonsAt least 20 hours (13 for automatic).
  4. Driving test32 minutes with an examiner, scored out of 31 points.
  5. Probationary licence3 years with the 'A' sign and 6 starting points.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • Over 94% of failed driving tests end on an eliminating mistake, according to the French road safety delegation. Learn the list with your school.
  • Stop completely at every stop sign. A rolling stop is an eliminating mistake, with no exceptions for learners.
  • Never cross a solid line, and never drive in a lane reserved for buses or emergency vehicles. Both end the test.
  • Keep right on two-way roads and watch for one-way streets: driving on the left or the wrong way also ends the test.

Based on: Roole: No rolling stops at the driving test, says French road safety (March 2026, French) ↗

Official links

Service-Public.fr: Driving licence ↗Légifrance: Code de la route ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

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An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

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