Have your foreign driving licence translated (both sides) by a sworn translator registered with a French Court of Appeal. An essential document for exchanging a foreign licence via the ANTS platform and for any prefecture procedure.
When must a foreign driving licence be translated?
A certified translation of a driving licence is mandatory in several situations:
Exchanging a foreign licence in France via the ANTS · once you establish normal residence in France, you must exchange your licence for a French one within 12 months of obtaining your residence permit (or the date you settle in France for EU/EEA nationals).
Roadside checks · in the event of a check by law enforcement, a certified translation greatly simplifies verifying your right to drive.
Car rental · some rental companies require a translated licence for licences written in a non-Latin alphabet (Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese, Thai, Greek, Hebrew).
Accidents and insurance claims · in the event of a claim involving a foreign licence.
Applying for an international driving permit from France (rare), or administrative regularisation.
ANTS exchange: timeline and procedure
Since 2020, exchanging a foreign licence in France has been handled exclusively online via the ANTS platform (the French National Agency for Secure Documents). Here are the steps:
Check your licence's eligibility based on the country of issue (see the official list from the DSR, the French Road Safety Delegation).
Gather the documents: original licence (both sides), certified translation, valid residence permit, proof of address, ID photo, and where applicable a certificate of driving entitlement issued by the licensing authority.
Create an online application at ants.gouv.fr: "I am requesting the exchange of a foreign licence."
Send the original licence by post to the relevant regional CERT (Centre for Document Expertise and Resources).
Receive your French licence within 2 to 6 months depending on processing volumes.
Important: the one-year deadline runs from the date you obtained your first residence permit (non-EU nationals) or from establishing normal residence in France (EU/EEA nationals). After this deadline, the exchange is no longer possible: you will have to retake the theory and practical driving tests to obtain a French licence.
Recognised countries and bilateral agreements
EU / EEA licences
Licences issued in a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area are automatically recognised in France. Exchange has no longer been mandatory since 2013 (except in specific cases: an offence, loss, or renewal). A translation remains useful for licences written in Greek or non-Latin alphabets.
Countries with a bilateral agreement
France has signed bilateral licence-exchange agreements with numerous countries. The most common: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Canada (most provinces), the United States (certain states only · Texas, Illinois, Iowa, South Carolina, etc.), Japan, South Korea, Madagascar, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Turkey, Serbia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Ukraine, Russia, Taiwan, Andorra, Monaco, Switzerland, the United Kingdom.
Non-recognised countries
For countries without an agreement (mainland China · excluding Hong Kong and Macao, India, most sub-Saharan African countries, and certain Gulf countries), an exchange is not possible. The driver must retake the French driving test (theory + practical) within the year following their arrival.
Warning: the list of eligible countries changes over time (an order is published every year). Check the official list in force on the date of your application on the Ministry of the Interior's website before starting the process.
Types of licence accepted
Plastic card licence
European format or equivalent, both sides. Covers all categories (A, B, C, D, BE, CE, etc.).
Pink paper licence (old format)
Older fold-out licences (Eastern European countries, older French format, some African countries).
Bilingual licence
Licences already drafted in two languages (e.g. Arabic/French for Morocco, Chinese/English). Translation is often simplified.
Provisional / temporary licence
A licence issued pending the final document (e.g. a US learner's permit, a UK provisional licence).
Certificate of driving entitlement
A supplementary document sometimes required by the prefecture to verify the validity of the licence.
International driving permit
1968 Vienna Convention or 1949 Geneva Convention. Translation possible for specific checks.
ANTS and prefecture requirements
An ANTS exchange application requires a certified translation that scrupulously meets the following requirements:
Translator registered on the list of a French Court of Appeal · a mandatory statement at the bottom of the translation.
Both sides translated: every entry on the licence (categories, restrictions, administrative stamps) must appear in the translation.
Certification, stamp, signature, date, and the translator's unique registration number.
Binding to the copy of the licence (both documents are initialled).
Paper original recommended (although the ANTS accepts a PDF for most digital applications).
Apostille and legalisation
Unlike civil status documents or diplomas, the ANTS does not require an apostille on the licence itself. However, some prefectures may require a certified true copy (from the town hall or the consulate) for particularly old licences or those from countries considered at higher risk of fraud.
Upload a clear scan or photo of both sides of your licence. PDF, JPG, PNG, or HEIC format. Make sure every entry is legible, including the categories and the dates obtained.
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Choose the language and turnaround
Select the source language and the turnaround time. Secure payment straight away. The all-inclusive price is shown before you confirm.
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Receive your certified translation
Signed PDF by secure email, then the paper original by tracked post. Ready for immediate use in your ANTS application or during a roadside check.
Plan ahead: don't delay. The ANTS exchange deadline is strict (12 months). As soon as you have your residence permit, order the translation. Need your licence while the original is at the CERT? You can pair the translation with an international driving permit to keep driving in the meantime.
Frequently asked questions about licence translation
Why translate a foreign driving licence?
Any exchange application via the ANTS requires a certified translation of both sides. The translation is also useful for roadside checks, renting a vehicle, or an insurance claim after an accident.
How much does it cost to translate a driving licence?
€39 all-inclusive for a licence with both sides translated (plastic card or pink paper). 24h Express at €59, 10h Urgent at €79. ANTS Pack (licence + certificate of entitlement) at €69.
Which countries allow an exchange without retaking the test?
All EU/EEA countries, plus countries with a bilateral agreement: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Madagascar, Senegal, Lebanon, Turkey, Serbia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Ukraine, Russia, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and certain US states. Check the official list before applying.
What is the deadline to exchange a licence in France?
12 months from obtaining your first residence permit (non-EU nationals) or from establishing normal residence (EU/EEA nationals). After this deadline, the exchange is no longer possible: you will have to retake the theory and practical tests in France.
Does the licence need an apostille?
No. The ANTS does not require an apostille on the licence. Some prefectures may ask for a certified true copy for old licences or those from specific countries, but this is rare.
Does an international driving permit replace the translation?
No. The international driving permit (1949 Geneva Convention or 1968 Vienna Convention) is useful for driving temporarily abroad (maximum 1 year), but it cannot be exchanged for a French licence. For an exchange, a certified translation of the national licence remains mandatory.
Can I drive in France with my untranslated foreign licence?
Yes, for one year from establishing normal residence. Beyond that, you must have exchanged your licence (if your country is eligible) or obtained a French licence. A translation is nonetheless strongly recommended to avoid any difficulty during a check.
What happens if my country has no agreement with France?
You must take the French driving test (theory + practical) within 12 months of your arrival. Translating the foreign licence will not lead to an exchange, but it remains useful to prove your driving experience during a check or for insurance purposes.