If you’re taking a non-French car to France, and need to register it in the French system, we’ll explain how, as well as how to get help. And, if you need to exchange your foreign driving licence for a French one will explain the process for that too – and again how to get help if you need it. France is notorious for its bureaucracy and when it comes to the administration processes for car registration and licence swaps, well, let’s just say this is the perfect example of just why that reputation exists. Plenty of people run into difficulties with the French system, but thankfully there is help at hand. We asked Eric Donjon of The European Concierge company, which helps people with all aspects of their move to France, to explain.
Registering a car in France
If you have a foreign registered car (or any other type of vehicle but NOT commercial type vehicles) and want to register it in France, the process is all online and managed by Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS). And it has to be said, the system is far from easy to use and many people, even French people, find it easier to appoint a specialist to apply and see the process through to the end for them. It’s a time-consuming process, you have to answer questions, provide paperwork from various sources and you may (very likely) be required to provide authorised translations. It is complicated, confusing and onerous if translations are required. If your vehicle isn’t of standard manufacture (mobile home for example), you will probably need to liaise with the Regional Environment, Planning & Housing Directorates (DREAL) too. After having completed a multipage application form, they conduct inspections and are responsible for signing your car off as EU compliant.
“Every region has a different way of dealing with applications and inspections” says Eric. “And because everything is online, if questions or issues arise, the process can take longer and longer and become more complicated. Getting the paperwork, translations and facts right up front can make things run much smoother.”
Driver’s licence exchange in France
New residents in France must check to see if their Driving Licence needs to be exchanged for a French one (or not). The list of countries of reciprocity (where exchanges are allowed) is a live and often updated document – you check via the following link, just enter the country of issue of your licence: www.service-public.fr/simulateur/calcul/PermisEtrangerPermisFrancais
If your country has no agreement in place, you will need to re-sit your driving exam in France and most likely attend a few hours of road sign lessons (Le Code). For those lucky enough to be on the list of exchangeabilities, the process takes around 8 months from start to finish though can take longer depending of the country of origin of the original licence.
“There’s no one size fits all” says Eric. “The list of documents to be provided varies. A US Driver’s Licence holder will, for example, need to provide a recent copy of his/her “Driver’s Record” from the State where the DL was issued. And it gets complicated if the Licence holder isn’t of the nationality of the country where the Licence was obtained. Generally, those licence holders will need to have it exchanged within 12 months of arrival.”
All supporting documents will need to be translated by a French administration approve, authorised translator that Eric has had in his Team since 2016.
British licences issued before 1/1/2021 are accepted without the need to exchange except if the licence is expiring and/or the licence holder has been caught speeding. Then the French Police will want to take points from it so you will be forced to swap your licence for a French one. UK licences obtained after the 01/01/2021 will need to be exchanged for a French one within 12 months of arrival.
Once the online exchange request has been made to swap your licence, the French Driver’s Licence authorities will write to you asking you to send your original licence by post whilst giving you a receipt to show the traffic Police if and when required.
The exchange of your Driver’s Licence is free of charge.
As with car registration, the licence exchange process sounds deceptively simple. You apply via ANTS and it’s all online. It’s time-consuming – 8 months is normal. You will need to fulfil certain criteria without which you may need to pass the French driving test. And it can seem frustratingly complicated.
If you’re finding the system hard to navigate (you’re not alone), or wondering if the hassle is worth it, don’t have time or would like help with registering a car or swapping your driver’s licence for a French one, get in touch with Eric Donjon at The European Concierge who offer a service to apply and conclude the process for you (along with his successful visa applications service), keeping you up to date and dealing with all the questions and paperwork needs as they arise: theeuropeanconcierge.com
