20 Misconceptions About French Driving License: Busted

How to Get a French Driving License It is essential to know the driving rules of France before you can drive. Also, you should be aware of the requirements for a licence. Depending on the prefecture, it may take a few weeks to several months to get your French driving license. It comes in the form of a pink credit-card and is valid for 15 years. Rules of the road With its stunning countryside and lively cities, France is a popular destination for road trips. To avoid problems with the police, it is essential to be aware of the rules for driving. It is vital to have a valid driving licence and insurance papers with you at all times. An international driving permit (IDP) is beneficial to make it easier for you to travel. Traffic in France moves a lot slower than it does in the United States, and there are more pedestrians on streets. It is therefore important to drive with caution and keep an eye out for drivers who turn left in front of you. Also, it's not advisable to drive when having consumed alcohol. You could be fined up to 135 euros and lose points on your licence if you are caught driving while under the influence. In France it is not legal in France to use a mobile phone while driving. You are allowed to use hands-free phone calls if wearing a headset integrated into your helmet. If you are stopped by police, you could be penalized for texting or speaking while driving. You must also wear a seat belt in both the back and front seats. If you have children in your vehicle that are younger than 10 years old and older, they must be in the rear of the vehicle and be secured using a child seat or a seat belt. It is also essential to carry a copy your passport at all times. This is a requirement of the law and will be checked if you're stopped for any reason. It is important to remember that speed limits differ on French roads. For example, Autoroutes have a higher speed limit than other roads. You can pay the tolls by cash or credit card. Prioritize a straight line is the most important rule to follow in France. This means that any vehicle approaching from your right has priority. This is the case even if they're joining an important highway from a tiny village track. This is especially important on narrow country lanes, where cars often pass each other in middle of the road. Passing the test After you've passed the written exam then it's time to take the practical driving test. This is a much more difficult portion than the theory test and you will require a lot of practice before passing. It's essential to locate a driving school that offers plenty of driving lessons prior to taking the test. Before you can drive in France you must have at minimum third party liability insurance on your car. Sign up for the written test by visiting the ANTS website and entering your NEPH (your application number) along with an ID photo. The French driving license photo must be in color and full-face unlike the American passport photo. If you're not a native English speaker you can ask for a translator for your exam. However, you need to make the request at least two days prior to the date of the test. You will be issued a CEPC (certificat of examination de permit de conduire) after you have passed the driving test. This is what you'll have to show to your local prefecture in order to apply for the French driving license. After that, you'll be able to begin driving in France. If you fail the driving test, you'll need to wait between two and 45 days before you can retake it. There's no limit to the number of times you can retake the driving test, but it's recommended to wait until you are confident enough to take it again. A driving license is required to be able to reside in France. If you're an ex-pat who plans on living in France for more than one year, then you'll have to get a license before you can legally drive on French roads. While some Americans opt to ignore this requirement and continue to drive with their US license beyond the one year date, it could lead to serious accidents and fines. Fortunately, a few states have a reciprocal agreement with France. Kentucky is one of them. Kentucky allows its citizens to exchange their U.S. drivers' licenses to French ones without going through the lengthy, lengthy procedure of taking a written test and passing a practical driving test. Some Americans need to go through a long process to get their French licenses. How do I obtain a license If you're an expat or a foreigner with an official driving license from a country that has reciprocity agreements with France You can exchange it for an French licence without needing to pass the driving test. But there are a few rules that you need to be aware of. Ensure that you have a valid driver's license. Then, you'll need to fill out a new form. The form can be found online. Select Acheter le permis de conduire français B en ligne after selecting Renewal of Driver's Licence. Complete your information and select the reason why you require a licence. If you're a licensed driver B, for example you are able to drive vehicles that weigh up to 3,5 tons in weight and that seat nine people or less. You will also be able to tow a trailer that is not heavier than the vehicle you are driving. Next, you will need to submit your application to the prefecture that is in your region. Fill in all the required details and include copies of your identity documents. Include your passport or another photo ID as well as an address proof. Also, you will need to provide medical certificates in the event of a medical need. Licences for categories A and B are valid for 15 years while licences for categories C, CE, and DL are valid for five years. In some instances it is possible to obtain a French license in only several months. This is especially the case for students from abroad who are enrolled at the French university. Those who are not enrolled at an French university will have to wait a lot longer for their license to be approved. If you want to learn to drive in France, it is best to enroll in a driving school at a school which teaches English. The majority of driving schools in Paris offer driving lessons in English however it's not the case in all places. Residents who are not in Paris should contact their local prefecture and inquire if they have an driving school that can provide classes in English. Driving in France When driving in France, it is important to observe the rules of the road and observe the proper manners of conduct. You should also possess a valid driver's license and third-party liability insurance for your car in place. It's a great way to understand the rules of the road as well as the language by taking driving lessons with a professional instructor. Additionally, you must ensure that your vehicle is maintained and properly fuelled prior to embarking on your journey. Additionally, you must be aware of the various speed limits for various types of roads in France. In France, traffic laws are rigorously enforced. The French have a point-based system to punish traffic offenses. New drivers begin with six points and must accumulate 12 points before their probationary period is over. If you are cited for a traffic violation, your points will be taken away and the amount of fine will be different according to the type of the offense. The theory test is the first step towards obtaining a French driving license. This test consists of 40 questions about the rules of driving and traffic safety. The second part is the practical part of the exam. It requires a minimum of 20 hours of driving under the supervision of an instructor. If you fail the practical part of the test, you must wait for a year before attempting again. For an French driving licence, you must be 18 years old and pass a medical exam. People with disabilities or health issues must undergo a special medical examination. If you're from a different country than the EU or EEA You must possess an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your regular driving license. An IDP includes a photograph of the driver as well as a translation of their driving license in a dozen languages. It can be obtained at the airport, or from a car rental agency. Driving in France isn't easy, but you can drive safely there with a foreign licence in the event that you have an IDP. It is crucial to know the driving rules and take some lessons prior to attempting to drive alone.