How to Change a UK Driving License for a French one
Since the DVLC in the United Kingdom do not allow nationals to hold a driving license with a permanent foreign address, those nationals who go to live in France will be required to change their driving license for aFrench driving license. Those who go to France to live should be aware that if they commit an infraction on French soil, the French police can insist upon changing your License to a French one and putting the points for the infraction onto the French license. One of the advantages of having a French license is that it is valid until the age of 75, though measures may be taken in the future for all drivers to pass age related tests due to health issues.
The French love their paperwork, and it's essential to have all the paperwork needed when you visit to change your driving license. You will need your old license, proof of where you reside, a Passport or Carte de Sejour which is current, two passport photographs and fiscal stamps to pay the fee. These can be purchased at a bar tabac.
The proof of where you reside is usually in the form of household bills in your name, showing the address of the property which is your main residence. If in doubt, take more than you need, as some may not give your first names and they prefer those that give full information. You can also take your Birth Certificate although this may not be asked for. It really depends upon the complexity of the person who deals with you, since some are stricter than others on what you need.
Do note down the date that you got your original driving license in the UK as this information may be needed in the future, and having a photocopy of the original may also be wise, in case you wish to go back to the UK and get a copy of the original license.
When you have all the information that you need, you will need to visit the Prefecture for your region. To locate the address, simply use Yellow Pages (Pages Jaunes) for the town in question or make local inquiries to find out which Prefecture covers your area.
On arriving at the Prefecture, you will need the department which deals with Driving Licenses and may have a long wait. Many Prefectures have hundreds of different communes that they cover, so do arrive in plenty of time as the Prefectures close between midday and two thirty each day and will not delay closing to suit you.
You will be asked to fill out a form for the exchange of your driving license and if you do not speak French, nor understand it, it is a good idea to have someone with you that does understand the language.
You may not get your driving license straight away, but what the officials do is to take a photocopy of the UK license so that if you need to produce the License while driving, you can explain that you are waiting for the French License to arrive, and that you have indeed applied for it.
It is an offense in France to drive without your documentation on you, and this should be adhered to at all times. This includes the Control Technique for the vehicle, Insurance documentation and driving license.
While you may be accustomed to dealing with theDVLC, they are not interested in giving you information on changing your British license for a foreign one and state on their website that if you take up residence in another country, then the onus is with you to adhere to local regulations. The British Embassy may be able to assist, though their assistance will most likely be limited to telling you the regulations as opposed to doing the work for you.
It is a legal requirement that the French driving license should hold the current address of the holder so if you do move while in France, it's worthwhile changing the license to reflect your current information. This is done at at the Prefecture and is a relatively easy process. If in doubt, ask at your local Mairee for the current requirements. The Gendarmerie or local Police Station will also be aware of current regulations concerning your License.
