Buy the French B Driving License Online

If you're planning to drive in France the first step is obtaining a French driver's license. This can be done online via the ANTS website.

The B license permits the driver to drive vehicles that weigh less than 3.5 tons and can accommodate up to 9 seats. This includes standard passenger cars as well as people carriers.

Driver's license test

No matter if you're an EU driver or not, the process of getting your driving license in France requires passing a written test (code cerfa permis de conduire la route) and a practical test. You may need to attend more driving lessons to prepare for the test. You can also attend an driving school that will schedule and train you. There are no restrictions on the number of times you can take the exam and it's priced at EUR30 per time.

You may also take the test as an independent candidate however, this option is only available for people with a driver's license from their country of origin that is issued in English. In addition, you must provide a medical certificate or a document certifying your handicap, known as a "reconnaissance de qualite de travailleur handicape". You can then take the test in one of the special sessions for non-French speakers (examen ETG specifique).

To pass the driving test in the practical you must achieve an at-least 20 points and no eliminatory error. It is not possible to tell if you have passed or failed the practical driving test by the test taker. However you can examine the results online 48 hours after the test using your NEPH. You can download the digital version of your permit after you have confirmed your success. The France Titres page for ordering your French driving license allows you to buy your physical French license online.

A new driver's license in France is valid for five years. After that, you'll need renew it by submitting an application for a fresh one with the prefecture. You will be required to bring along your old driving license, a passport photograph and permis D a French address. You can also submit an application for an additional licence if you would like to add a different category of vehicle or alter the name on your existing driving licence. To be eligible you must be living in France for at least six months. You must also hold a valid health insurance policy which includes third-party coverage for vehicles.

Exchange of a foreign driving license

There are certain requirements you must meet if you're moving from your country of origin to France with an active driver's license. For instance you are able to exchange your licence only if your country has a reciprocal agreement with France and it's still valid. Otherwise, you'll have to take the French driving test and pass it. The process can take a year or two however, it appears to be moving much more quickly now that the application is available online.

If you have an international license issued by a country which is a member of the EU or European Free Trade Association, (EFTA – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or in the event that your British or Northern Irish licence was issued before 2013, then you are able to use it to drive in France. However you must get third-party liability insurance on your car before you are allowed to drive. These kinds of licenses are called "Cerfa permis de conduire de conduire." They have the size and shape like a credit card and they list your personal information as well as the vehicles you are allowed to drive.

You must also be over the legal age for driving in the country of your origin. You must also be above the legal age to drive in the country you are from. There are other requirements that you must meet. For example your licence should be issued prior to when you arrived in France. The driving license must be in your own name and in your native language, or it could be accompanied by an English translation. It must also be valid in your country of residence and must be valid prior to the date you receive your residence permit or visa.

In France new drivers are able to start with six points. They can get 12 points. You could be fined for each violation or lose points from your license. Your license could be revoked dependent on the amount of points you've accrued. If you are planning to remain in France for a prolonged period of time, it's worth learning how to drive.

Learn to drive in France

You can take a driving course or learn to drive on your own if are moving to France. Whichever option you choose it will require some serious hoops to jump through. The process to get your license in France will take a lot of time and waiting times are of up to three months due to the shortage of driving examiners. The actual test is similar to the UK's two-part theory exam and practical test.

The first thing you'll need complete is pass the 'highway code test', or 'lecode'. This is a lengthy test that should take at least a few months to complete, so don't attempt to rush it or your French driver might give you the finger (not as we have learned from personal experiences). This phase involves learning the highway code, and taking lots of'mock tests'. When you're confident enough, you're ready to take on the real test.

The next step is to complete some time in a supervised driving with a professional driver. In France this is known as conduite supervisee and you must sign up with the prefecture to be able to pass. You must complete at least 20 hours before you are even permitted to take the test.

You'll also need to keep a record of all your journeys. This is to ensure that you don't simply go to school and home every day (that would be 3000 kilometers but will not get you anywhere). The route must be varied, so driving in your community every day for a whole year may not be enough. You could be fined and lose points on your French driving license if you commit a serious crime like drunk driving or speeding.

One other thing to note is that the left lane is only for cars passing by, not for driving slowly in. Be aware that you could be stopped when you drive slowly in the left-hand lane of a dual carriageway.

Insurance

If you plan to drive in France, you will need a French B driving license. This permit allows you to drive vehicles that are not larger than 3.5 tons. It also permits you to operate vehicles that have fewer than nine seats. The permit is valid for 15 years from the date of the issue. You may be required to take a medical exam to renew your license based on your age or category of vehicle.

You'll also need the third-party liability insurance for your vehicle. This policy will protect you in the case of an accident or theft. Additionally, you should carry your driving license as well as insurance documents and the car registration documents in your vehicle at all times. In certain situations you'll have to carry your passport with you as well.

It's not difficult to purchase and insure your vehicle in France. In fact, it can be easy and painless, especially when you already have a foreign driver's license from an EU or EFTA country. This is because certain states have reciprocal agreements with France and France, which makes the process even simpler.

The French driving license (permis a – permis a2 d'conduire) is an official document that contains your personal information, along with the type and date of expiry of the vehicle you're permitted to drive. In most cases, it also serves as a form of official identification. It's an oversized pink plastic credit card card.

You must report your French permit immediately if it's lost or stolen. This can be done by going to the ANTS site. Then, you will receive temporary licenses that are valid for a period of two months. If you have committed an offense you may be penalized or lose points from your license. The maximum number of points is twelve points.