If you’re planning to make France your new home—whether for work, study, or retirement—one of the most practical steps you’ll need to take is sorting out your driver’s license. Driving in France as a resident requires a French license, but the process for exchanging your foreign one depends on where it was issued. Here’s a clear guide for those coming from the United States or Canada.
Driving Legally in France as a New Arrival
If you hold a valid driver’s license from the U.S. or Canada, you can legally drive in France using that license for up to one year from the date you establish residency (the date you receive your residence permit or carte de séjour).After that period, you must hold a French license to continue driving legally.
However, whether you can exchange your existing license or need to take a French driving test depends entirely on where your license was issued.
License Exchange Agreements
France
has signed reciprocal agreements with certain U.S. states and Canadian
provinces, allowing for a direct exchange of licenses without the need
for retesting.
For U.S. Drivers
Not every U.S. state has an exchange agreement with France. As of recent regulations, you can directly exchange your license only if it was issued in one of the following states (this list can change, so always verify with your local prefecture or the French government website):
Delaware
Maryland
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Virginia
South Carolina
Texas
Illinois
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Michigan
Florida
Connecticut
If your license was issued in one of these states, you can apply for a licence d’échange at your local prefecture (or online via the ANTS portal).If your state is not on the list, you’ll need to pass both the French theory (code de la route) and practical driving test to obtain a French license.
For Canadian Drivers
Canada has a broader exchange agreement with France, making the process easier for most Canadians. You can exchange your driver’s license if it was issued in one of these provinces or territories:
Quebec
Ontario
British Columbia
Alberta
New Brunswick
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland and Labrador
Residents from these provinces can exchange their licenses directly for a French one. Unfortunately, licenses from provinces or territories not listed above require you to retake the French driving tests.
When and How to Apply
Applications are processed through the ANTS website (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés): https://ants.gouv.fr
You’ll need to provide:
Proof of residence in France (e.g., utility bill, rental agreement)
A valid U.S. or Canadian driver’s license (with an official translation into French by a certified translator)
Proof of the date you became a French resident (residency permit, visa, or first residence card)
Passport or ID
Recent passport-style photos
Medical certificate (for certain license categories)
Driving record or abstract from your home DMV or provincial authority
The processing time can vary—sometimes taking several months—so it’s best to apply early.
Important Details to Remember
Your foreign license must be valid at the time of exchange. Expired licenses cannot be converted.
You must have obtained your original license before becoming a French resident.
Once exchanged, your foreign license is surrendered and returned to the issuing authority in your home country.
If you later move away from France, you’ll generally need to reapply for a license in your new country based on local rules.
Driving Confidence on French Roads
Adapting
to French driving norms may take a little time—especially with the
country’s network of roundabouts, strict right-of-way rules, and the
priority-to-the-right system (“priorité à droite”).
Still, once you’ve exchanged your license, you’ll enjoy full French driving privileges and peace of mind on the road.
