This is the page from Service Public that explains the French vehicle classifications for licenses.

Driving license

Driving license: Certificate and certificate of road safety, Motorcycle license, B license (car or heavy quadricycle), Permit for the transport of goods and passengers, Loss, theft or deterioration of the driving license, Medical check

www.service-public.fr

You'll notice they are divided into categories - Motorcycles, B licenses (basically passenger cars), permits for transport of goods and persons (considered the "professional" licenses)

The "poids lourds" start at 3.5 tons. Click on the various license types for the specifics - usually a combination of weight, purpose (hauling goods or passengers) and some maximum limit of the number of passengers. I think all of the "professional" vehicle classes require medical exams at regular intervals.

Anyhow - start with the page cited above and if you get links that are all in French, look for the language button to get an automated translation into English.

 

Thank you. I'd already visited that, but missed the obvious. Your highlight of "poids lours" start at 3.5t was the key- that's a big help, thank you. I'll book a doctors appointment and get that sorted. Many thanks.

 

All driving licence categories are the same EU wide and were adopted by the UK

One point though-do you actually eligible to exchange your driving licence? A Uk licence is valid in France until it expires/is lost or stolen or you get points Or is it the HGV bit that is/has expired