French Driving License: 10 Things I'd Like To Have Known Earlier
How to Get a French Driving License It is a great idea to take driving lessons at a school if you are an ex-pat. They will do all the paperwork for you and reduce the wait time to get an exam date. The French driving license (permis) is a pink credit-card. It could take anywhere from one week to several months to get. Theory test The driving theory test (le code) is an important step in the French license process. The test focuses on traffic laws and road safety regulations and you can prepare for it by studying the manual or using mobile apps to help you master. You can also take a free online test to practice. The test is administered digitally in the testing center with tablets. You must answer correctly 35 questions to pass. Like many countries as with most countries, the French driver's license can be obtained after passing both the practical and theoretical test. The French driving test is notoriously difficult. According to recent statistics, only 59.2 percent of males and 54.4 percent of women passed their theory test on their first attempt. The pass rate for the practical test was lower at 58.6% for men and 52.8 percent for women. People with disabilities or health conditions might require additional tests. You can take the theory test at a driving school, which will arrange your lessons and the test for you, or you could take it as an independent candidate. You must sign up for an “NEPH number of prefectoral registration harmonise” on the website of government agency ANTS. This number is required to reserve a theory test date. Many driving schools, including Pass Rousseau, offer online training courses that combine live classes and online practice. These courses can be expensive, but they can also save time. Some schools, such as Fehrenbach, are specifically geared toward English students, however they can be more expensive than a standard French driving school. If you hold an official driving license from one of the countries that is part of the European Union, you can exchange it for a French licence if you hold a residence permit in France. The process is lengthy and you'll need to provide a translation from an official translator. If you don't speak French however, you can take the theory test by using an interpreter. You can take the written test as many times you wish without waiting for a time. The standard theory test costs EUR30. Practical test If you are planning to drive a vehicle in France you must pass a theoretical test (known as le Code) and a practical test. You can either take the theory and the practical tests at a driving academy that will schedule your lessons and tests or you can take it by yourself. If licencefrancexpress decide to be an independent candidate, you'll be required to sign up for a NEPH (Nephro d'enregistrement prefectural harmonise) Numero d'enregistrement prefectural harmonise – on the official website of the government agency ANTS. The exam's theory is referred to as le Code and consists of 40 multiple-choice tests that cover issues like traffic laws and road safety rules, as well as driving rules. You can find study guides and practice apps online, or buy an Code de la Route book at a bookshop or on the internet. You can earn a pass grade if you score 20 or more points, provided that you don't make any elimination errors (such crossing an unmarked line or driving to the left, not obeying the stop sign, or not following the rules of priority). In the practical test the examiner will assess your ability to drive in normal traffic conditions and in your car of choice. The test is composed of 25 minutes of driving and lasts approximately two hours. Additionally, you will be asked to demonstrate your basic first aid knowledge. The practical test can be repeated up to five times over the course of three years. You can bring a tutor along to the test as an external candidate. But, they can't charge more than a single lesson. If you are enrolled in a driving school you can take an instructor with you to the practical test. If you fail the test, you may repeat it at as many times as you want in the next five years. The tests for practical and theoretical are both in French. You'll need a high level of fluency. It's best to plan ahead and begin learning early prior to moving to France. The test is difficult for non-French speakers Therefore, you should be fluent when you take it. Passing the test There are a few points that new drivers must be aware of prior to taking the test for their French driving license. Before they can drive in France they must pass the theory and practical exams. They also must have their car insured and purchase a pollution sticker (“conduit accompagnée”). The code is the first step. The exam is made up of oral and multiple-choice questions. The second part is taking the practical test, which is a more difficult test and requires a lot of practice. The examiner will test your understanding of the rules of the road and what to do if you encounter an emergency situation like someone who is unconscious or severely injured. After having passed the theory and practical test after which you will receive a document called a certificat exam de permis de conduire. The document is valid for a period of four months and can be downloaded onto your smartphone or tablet. If you are stopped by police, this is the document you will need to show them. The word “favorable” is going to appear at the bottom of the documents, will be indicated. You have to renew your driver's licence every 15 years. This can be done by filling out an administrative form and paying an amount. You must also show proof of your address and identification. You can complete this online or in person at the local prefecture. You can track the status of your license online by entering your file number and personal code. It is essential to be aware of the French demerit points system in addition the driving rules. You could lose your driving license if you commit a serious crime or accumulate too many points. You may also lose your license if do not pay fines or been involved in an accident that is serious. It is also important to be aware that France operates on the right side of the road and priority is given to traffic that comes from the right. You should also be aware that the speed limit on the departmental and national highways is 80 km/h. On local roads and in the cities, however, the speed limit is 50 km/h. Getting your license It can be difficult to get a driving license in France no matter if you've just completed your French test or are a new expat driver. There are specific regulations and licence prerequisites that you should be aware of to avoid being stopped by police or having an accident because of insufficient driving permits. In order to avoid any hassle, the best thing to do is obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) beforehand. This little piece of paper translates your license into a variety of languages and is required to be carried with you when you travel across the globe. They're inexpensive ($20) and easy to obtain at your local AAA office and even car rental companies will accept them. Fortunately for most expats, they can exchange their license to one with a French one if their country of origin has a reciprocal agreement with France. The process can take between a few weeks to several months, depending on the prefecture's work load. You'll also require two passport photos taken recently along with a medical certificate and two envelopes addressed to yourself. If you don't have a valid driver's license or your foreign driving license has expired, you will have to pass a theory and a practical test before you can obtain an official license. Individuals with disabilities or health conditions might have to undergo further tests. In the case of the latter, an exam will be administered by an expert doctor who will evaluate your ability to drive. The test includes a theoretical test, a driving test in a parking lot, and a conversation with the examiner. All French drivers must keep their driving licence and vehicle registration with them at all time. French drivers must also carry a policy of insurance for cars and other vehicles. Contact your insurance company to ensure that your policy covers driving in France and is current. The process of getting your license in the country where you have made your new home might seem daunting but with a little preparation and the help of a driving instructor it will be easy. Although you don't require a driving instructor to get your French license, they will make the process easier by taking care of all the paperwork and scheduling.