Got my French Driver's License Today

[dijid]

I thought I would share my story of exchanging my US Driver's license. Everyone's experience is so different, and it was helpful that I was able to read some stories here before attempting to exchange myself.

I had a valid license from a reciprocating state. I was relieved that I was able to work through my sous prefecture, as the prefecture is a zoo and takes hours to do anything. I picked up the required paperwork in person, but they wanted everything mailed back. They required I hand over my license & a translation, justification of my residence, as well as fill out three forms. One of those forms was to be copied and serve as my temporary license. Instead of an official translation, we had been counseled by others that they would accept the notarized form the US Embassy provides (which we had received prior to the price increase)

I had renewed my license just over a year ago, so I was concerned about having to get an "A" sticker. There was some place on the paperwork that asked about the date I obtained my license, so I put a note and gave the date of my first license.

DH and I submitted our paperwork at the same time, but we interpreted some questions differently and thus answered them differently.

Submitted both of our papers December 31st with return recept required and today we both received our licenses in the mail - with no requirements for the A sticker (and we both received the full 12 points limit for violations).

I worried for nothing and never thought it would have been that easy. I seriously expected I would have to go back for one thing or another. Especially since I submitted my cell phone bill as my justificatif and my DH submitted an EDF bill more than 3 months old.

So glad that is over. I just hope my CdS renewal goes as smoothly.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by dijid

I had renewed my license just over a year ago, so I was concerned about having to get an "A" sticker. There was some place on the paperwork that asked about the date I obtained my license, so I put a note and gave the date of my first license.

Thanks for that report, I'm sure many lurkers here will be happy to hear how someone else's license exchange went.

Just one comment - because you don't renew licenses here, whenever they ask you "when" you got your license, it's your first license they're interested in. I've always had to estimate (was it junior or senior year in high school, I forget?) but I've never been asked for any sort of proof of this date.
Cheers,
Bev

[Coton90]

Originally Posted by dijid

I thought I would share my story of exchanging my US Driver's license. Everyone's experience is so different, and it was helpful that I was able to read some stories here before attempting to exchange myself.

I had a valid license from a reciprocating state. I was relieved that I was able to work through my sous prefecture, as the prefecture is a zoo and takes hours to do anything. I picked up the required paperwork in person, but they wanted everything mailed back. They required I hand over my license & a translation, justification of my residence, as well as fill out three forms. One of those forms was to be copied and serve as my temporary license. Instead of an official translation, we had been counseled by others that they would accept the notarized form the US Embassy provides (which we had received prior to the price increase)

I had renewed my license just over a year ago, so I was concerned about having to get an "A" sticker. There was some place on the paperwork that asked about the date I obtained my license, so I put a note and gave the date of my first license.

DH and I submitted our paperwork at the same time, but we interpreted some questions differently and thus answered them differently.

Submitted both of our papers December 31st with return recept required and today we both received our licenses in the mail - with no requirements for the A sticker (and we both received the full 12 points limit for violations).

I worried for nothing and never thought it would have been that easy. I seriously expected I would have to go back for one thing or another. Especially since I submitted my cell phone bill as my justificatif and my DH submitted an EDF bill more than 3 months old.

So glad that is over. I just hope my CdS renewal goes as smoothly.

Felicitations and happy motoring!

[paris19th]

HI Dijid:

Felicitation on your french driver's license. However for me, it's been a difficult time. I want to share a little of what to expect if you sign up to une ecole de voiture dans le province. Firstly, I came from New York, a non recipr state. To add insult to injury, I did not realize I had until one year to sign up for a driver's school to take only the written part of the exam.

Now after several years living in France, I'm required to attend the school and take both written and driving test. I've been signed up thus far for over seven months and it's been hard; the school director woman speaks no english and is not too friendly or tolerant of my bad french. Even when I can ask a question, her french is too fast for me to fully comprehend. She will not let me take the exam unless I score at least 35 out of 40 correct answers, 4-5 consecutive times. This seems unfair because apparently the actual exam is much easier than these prep video ones. So even though I've consistently have scored 31-33, it's no go. The video review exams seem very trite and a sort of second guessing game. That's because a lot of the ambiguous questions are judgement calls, not strictly according to rules of the road.

I have learned a lot I must confess. Particularly, I've learned that one must surrender to the "french" way of thinking. The paradox is that the french are some of the worse drivers of western europe. I hope to take the written exam in February and will let you know what happens.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by paris19th

I have learned a lot I must confess. Particularly, I've learned that one must surrender to the "french" way of thinking. The paradox is that the french are some of the worse drivers of western europe. I hope to take the written exam in February and will let you know what happens.

Ah, the Truth has been revealed to you, grasshopper. It sounds like you're very nearly ready to take the test!

It often seems like the national motto of France should be that of the Borg: You WILL be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

Actually, as I understand it, they now use the computer video version of the "written" test at most of the testing stations, so you should be in good shape if you've prepped on those.
Cheers,
Bev

[Newyorkaise]

Paris19th, I am also a New Yorker and am interested that you say you would have had a year to "sign up for a driver's school to take only the written part of the exam."

My understanding is that persons holding non-exchangeable licenses may use them in France for up to one year, after which (or perhaps more accurately, by which time) it is necessary to obtain a French license by passing both the written and the driving portions of the test. Is it in fact possible to obtain a French license by passing merely the written exam if one acts within that inital year?

It would be very interesting if this were true, as it seems likely that doing merely the written exam would minimize the cost of driving school.

Can anyone confirm whether this is the case?

[dorothyokay]

Congrats.

Now the million questions ; Is it the USA license which is non recpcrating, or specifically NY. If spicifically NY, how do you find out if say a PA license is ok?

Or would it be better to get an irish licnese and then change it?

Congrats again

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by dorothyokay

Congrats.

Now the million questions ; Is it the USA license which is non recpcrating, or specifically NY. If spicifically NY, how do you find out if say a PA license is ok?

Or would it be better to get an irish licnese and then change it?

Congrats again

There is a list of the states in the US who have reciprocity with France for driver's licenses. Best source for the list I know of is the US Consulate website: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/fr...is-driving.pdf
Cheers,
Bev

[paris19th]

Hi :

Bev linked the correct info that one must past the written and road tests after one year of residency in France from the states. PA is a reciprocating state. Here is a catch though, I can still rent a car in Italy. I probably can still rent in France too although I never tried it here.

[Newyorkaise]

Although I am not an expert in this area, I believe that techically and legally you are driving without a valid license if you are relying on your US license after having been resident in France for more than one year.

While the rental companies in Italy may have accepted your US license, they may have done so without realizing that you are no longer a US resident - or the laws in Italy may permit any unexpired license to be used, despite your change in residence.

I don't know how this would affect the validity of any insurance coverage you may carry, were you to be involved in an accident, but if you are planning to continue driving until obtaining a French license, it may bear looking into.