French Driver's License

Where was your licence issued, in which country??

I went through this a while back. I'm pretty sure you need to go to driving school, or at least that's what I was told. In any case, it probably would have been necessary to pass the written test. Driving school tuition is pretty steep.

The written test was much more difficult than comparable tests I've taken in several US states. The school's preparation was invaluable, as, in addition to differences in the law between the US and France, there were many terms which were unfamiliar to me. The road test went fine, but, then I'd been driving in the US for almost 20 years already.

You do the road test in the driving school's car, by the way. Or at least that's how it was where I was living.

Your username indicates you're in or from Oregon. There are a handful of US states which have a reciprocal agreement with France, permitting you to acquire a French license upon showing (or perhaps exchanging?) your US license. I don't see Oregon in the list, but if you're able to easily get a driver's license in one of the reciprocating states, it could be worth it.

The list can be seen here: [link under review]

On the other hand, I think French driving school helped me be a better driver, especially in Europe. My previous instructors many years before had been my father and my older big brother.

Hi,

I grew up in France and got my license there when I was 18.  Then I moved to the US where I had to take the written and practical test (Texas did not have an  »exchange » agreement with France).

Key differences I observed:

• Much faster and cheaper in the US where you can take both tests without a pre-requisite hours of classes (both for the theory and the practice)
• France requires a minimum number of hours of theory and practice classes before you can take the exams.  That’s why it gets expensive.
• The tests (both written and practical) are on a set schedule and each driving school has an allotted number of slots so you need to wait for them to schedule you in one of their open slots
• Practical driving classes are in the school’s car, which is equipped with dual controls (breaks etc.) and that is the car you take the exam in
• I don’t remember either being particularly difficult, especially if you’ve put in a minimum of effort in the theoretical classes and if you already know how to drive.  I’m assuming your French is good enough, I’m not aware that either test can be take in a foreign language but that may have changed.  Note that taking the test in a rural area will be probably be a restricting factor if you need language accommodations assuming that is an option at all
• That I remember the practical test including: starting from a parked position on a very steep hill with a stick, getting on and off the highway, a few round abouts and parallel parking
• Keep in mind…  This was euh… a long time ago, so things may be different now

Hope this helps!

Thanks for your reply - I have done a bit of research and it confirms your points.  my French is very limited but i am trying to brush up. i have 4 years before i hope to move so I have some time

I truly appreciate your response.

Thanks a lot

@sharoncook2004- Oregon in the US - I know i will have to take the written and practical tests. i am planning on attending s school

@chaslaw- thanks. I have thought about moving to a state that had an exchange agreement with France. On the other hand, I know driving school would be useful.

Language and driver’s license are probably my biggest concerns. My French id rudimentary at best but I have 4 years to work on it.

i have read that you can bring a translator on the practical. But I have also read that you can’t.  I have driven manual but it has been a few years.

Again, thanks for your response it was very helpful

    Thanks for your reply - I have done a bit of research and it confirms your points.  my French is very limited but i am trying to brush up. i have 4 years before i hope to move so I have some timeI truly appreciate your response. Thanks a lot        -@jayinoregon

So glad it  was helpful!!!  Don’t hesitate to reach out in private messages (I can share my email) if I can help in any other way   Some of the  »driving » vocabulary can be daunting but I can help w that.  You’ll be just fine.  i went to business school in Normandy and it is lovely.  take it one thing at a time and holler if you have questions or need help.

Found this:

https://www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/p … lexamen-du

Can be helpful to prepare the theo part and confirms you need to have passed it before being eligible to take the practice test (and if I remember right there is an expiration date eg you must take the driving test within x months of passing the written one though that may have changed)

One more thing I forgot to mention: I think you CAN take an  »automatic » driver’s license test if you’re not comfortable with a stick but while in the US I feel sticks are the exception, in France, automatic transmissions are the exceptions (unless, of course that has changed since I left)

I have a Portuguese drivers license, does that make things simpler? Do I just keep renewing my portuguese one or is there a simple exchange?

    I have a Portuguese drivers license, does that make things simpler? Do I just keep renewing my portuguese one or is there a simple exchange?
   

    -@Sepharad

You can keep your Portuguese driver's license as it is valid in France. If you want to, you can exchange it for a French one.

Thank you. A swap is in order.

@chaslaw

Here are the US states that have reciprocity with France.

Driver’s licenses from the following states are eligible for exchange: Arkansas (limited to Class B), Colorado (limited to Class B), Connecticut (limited to Classes A and B), Delaware (limited to Class B), Florida (limited to Classes A and B), Illinois, Iowa (limited to Class B), Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio (limited to Class B), Oklahoma, Pennsylvania (limited to Classes A and B), South Carolina, Texas (limited to Class B), Virginia (limited to Class B), West Virginia.