"The Ultimate Cheat Sheet For French Driving License
How to Get a French Driving License
If you are an expat it is recommended to enroll in a driving school. They will do all the paperwork for you and decrease the wait time to get an exam date.
The French driving license (permis) is a pink credit-card. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to obtain.
Theory test
The driving theory test, also known as le code, is the most important step in the French licensing process for drivers. You can prepare for the test by reading a manual and using mobile apps to aid you learn. The test is about road safety and traffic laws. You may also take a free online test to practice. The exam is conducted digitally using tablets in the test center. You must correctly answer at least 35 of the questions to pass.
Like in most countries, you are able to obtain the French driving license after passing both the theory and practical tests. The French driving test is notoriously difficult. According to statistics, only 54.4% of men and 59.2 percent of women passed the theory test the first time. The pass rate for the practical test was lower, with 58.6 percent for males and 52.8 percent women. For those with disabilities or health issues may require additional tests.
You can take the test at a driving academy, which will organise your lessons and the exam for you, or you can take it as an individual candidate. To do so you must register for an "NEPH Prefectoral Number" harmonise" on the website of the government agency ANTS. This number is required for booking an appointment for a test in theory.
Many driving schools, such as Pass Rousseau, offer online training courses that combine live classes with online practice. These courses are costly, but can help you save time. Certain schools, like Fehrenbach are specifically designed towards English students, however they may cost more than a normal French driving school.
If you possess a valid driving licence from an area that is a member of the European Union, you can exchange it to a French licence if you hold a residence permit in France. The process can be lengthy and you will need to provide the official translator.
If you don't speak French, you can still take the theory test by using an interpreter. You can also take the written test for as many times as you'd like and there is no time limit between the attempts. The cost of a standard theory test is EUR30.
Practical test
You must pass both a theory test (known as le Code), and a practical test to be qualified to drive in France. You can pass both tests via a driving school, who will arrange the tests and lessons for you, or you can do it yourself as an external candidate. If you choose to be an independent candidate, you need to register for an NEPH number - Numero d'enregistrement Prefectural harmonise - on the official website of the agency ANTS.
The exam's theoretical component is referred to as le Code and consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, covering topics such as traffic laws regulations, road safety and driving rules. You can download free applications and study guides online or purchase the Code de la Route in bookstores. You can receive an A+ grade with 20 or more points, provided that you don't commit any elimination mistakes (such crossing a solid line, driving to the left, not observing the stop sign, or ignoring the rules of priority).
During the test an examiner will test your ability to drive in normal traffic conditions and in the vehicle of your choice. The test consists of 25 minutes of driving, and lasts for around two hours total. The examiner will also require you to demonstrate your knowledge of basic first aid. The practical test can be repeated five times over the course of three years.
As an external candidate, you may bring a tutor to the exam, but they cannot charge more than the price of a lesson. If you are enrolled in a driving school you are able to bring an instructor to the test. If you fail the test, you can repeat it in as many times as would like within the next five years.
The practical and theoretical tests are both in French. You'll need a high level of fluency. It is recommended to plan ahead and begin learning the language early prior to moving to France. The test is difficult for non-French speaking people Therefore, you should be fluent before you take it.
Passing the test
There are a few points that new drivers should know before taking the test for their French driving license. They must pass both the theory and practical exam before they can drive on French roads. They also need to be insured on their car and obtain a pollution certificate ("conduit accompagnée").
Le code is the first step. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and an oral explanation. The second part is taking the practical test, which is a harder test and requires a lot of practice. The examiner will test your understanding of road rules and what to do in the event that you encounter an emergency situation like a person who is unconscious or severely injured.
After passing the theory and practical test, you will be given an official document referred to as a certificate of examination for a permit to drive. This document is valid for 4 months and can be downloaded to your tablet or phone. This is what you need to show the police when you are stopped. The word "favorable", which will appear at the bottom of the documents, will be indicated.
click here now must be renewed every 15 years. You can complete this process by filling out an administrative form and paying the fee. You must also provide proof of your address and identification. You can do this via the internet or at your local prefecture office. Enter your file number and your personal number to monitor the status of your driver's license online.
In addition to driving rules, it is important to be aware of the French demerit points system. You can lose your license after a major offense or accumulating too many points. You may also get your license suspended if you have not paid fines or involved in an accident that is serious.
It is important to be aware that France operates on the right-hand side of the road, and that traffic that is coming from the left is given priority. It is also important to be aware that the speed limit on national and departmental highways is 80 km/h. However, the speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h on local roads and in cities.
Getting your license
If you've just completed your French driving test or are an expat driving driver moving to France getting a license in France isn't easy. You need to know the rules and prerequisites for a license to avoid being stopped by police or causing an accident due to insufficient driving licenses. In order to avoid any hassle the best thing to do is to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) beforehand. This small piece of paper has to be carried while driving in foreign countries. It can translate your driver's license into multiple foreign languages. They are cheap ($20) and easily obtained at your local AAA branch. Even car rental companies accept these.
For most expats, they can exchange their license to a French one if the country of origin has a reciprocal arrangement with France. The process could take from a few weeks to a couple of months dependent on how busy the prefecture is. You'll need a proof of identity and two passport photos from recent times, a medical certificate and two self-addressed envelopes.
If you don't have a valid driver's license or your foreign driving license has expired, you will be required to pass a theoretical and a practical test before you are able to obtain a full license. Those with disabilities or specific health conditions might have to pass additional tests.
In the case of the second scenario, a doctor will conduct a test to assess your driving ability. The test will consist of a theory exam, a practical driving test in a parking area and an interview with the examiner.
All French drivers are required to have their driving license and vehicle registration at all at all times. They must also have an insurance policy for cars and other motor vehicles. It is advisable to speak with your insurance provider to make sure your policy covers driving in France and is current.
It may seem difficult to obtain a license in the new country you're moving to, but with the assistance of a reliable driving school, you can do it. Although you don't necessarily need a driving school to obtain your French driving license, they can assist you in the process by doing all of the paperwork and scheduling your appointment for you.