It's The Ugly Truth About French Driving License
How to Get a French Driving License It is a good idea to learn driving at a driving school if you are an ex-pat. They will take care of all the paperwork and cut down the time it takes to take an exam. The French driving license (permis) is a pink credit-card. It could take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to get. Theory test The driving theory test, or the code, is a key step in the French licensing process for drivers. You can prepare by studying the manual and using mobile apps to help learn. The test is about road safety and traffic laws. You may also take a no-cost online practice test. The test is administered digitally in the testing center with tablets. You must answer 35 questions correctly to pass. As in many countries, you can only get a French driving licence after passing both the theoretical and practical tests. However the French driving test is known to be difficult. According to statistics from the last few years, only 59.2 percent of men and 54.4% of women passed their theory test on the first attempt. licencefrancexpress for the practical test was even lower at 58.6 percent for males and 52.8% for women. People with disabilities or health issues may have to undergo additional tests. You may take the theory test at a driving school which will arrange your lessons and the exam for you, or take it as an individual candidate. To do so, you must sign up for an “NEPH Prefectoral Number” harmonise” on the website of the federal agency ANTS. This number is required to make a reservation for the theory test. Many driving schools, like Pass Rousseau offer online preparation courses that combine live and online classes. These courses can be costly, but they can also reduce time. Some schools, such as Fehrenbach, cater to English speakers. However they are more expensive than a standard French driving school. If you possess a valid driving licence from a country that is part of the European Union, you can exchange it to a French licence if you hold an residence permit in France. The process can be lengthy and you'll need to provide an official translation from a translator. You can still take the test even if you don't speak French with a translation. You can take the test in writing at any time you want, and there is no waiting time between the attempts. The cost of a regular theory test is EUR30. Practical test You must pass both a theory test (known as le Code), and a practical test to be legally able to drive in France. You can take both tests at a driving school which will conduct the tests and lessons for you, or on your own as an external candidate. If you decide to be an independent candidate, you will be required to sign up for an NEPH – 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 questions, covering topics such as traffic laws and road safety rules, as well as driving regulations. There are free study guides and practice apps online, or buy an Code de la Route book at a bookshop, or online. It's possible to get an A+ grade with 20 or more points provided you don't make any mistake that could be considered to be a grave error (crossing a solid line, driving on the left, not obeying the stop sign, or not following priority rules). During the practical test, a judge will assess your ability to drive in normal traffic conditions in the vehicle of your choice. The test will last for 25 minutes of driving. It lasts for around two hours in total. The examiner will also require you to show your knowledge of basic first aid. The practical test can be taken five times over the course of three years. As an outside candidate, you may bring a tutor along to the exam however they cannot charge more than the price of a session. If you are an instructor at a driving school, you can take an instructor with you for the test. If you fail the test, you may repeat it as many times as you want in the next five years. It is important to note that the practical and theory tests are conducted in French and you'll need to have an adequate level of proficiency in the language. Begin to plan ahead and start studying the language before you move to France. The test can be difficult for non-French speakers. You must aim to attain an acceptable level of proficiency by the time you take the test. Passing the test Before taking the test to get their French driving license, prospective drivers should be aware of some important points. They must pass both the theory and practical test before they are able to drive on French roads. They must also be insured on their car and purchase a pollution sticker (“conduit accompagnée”). Le code is the initial step. The test is comprised of multiple-choice and oral explanation questions. The next step is to take the practical test, which is a more challenging test that requires a lot of practice. The examiner will test your understanding of road rules and what to do if you are faced with an emergency such as someone who is unconscious or severely injured. Once you have passed the theory and practical tests, you will receive an official document titled the certificate of examination du permit de conduire. This document is valid for a period of four months and can be downloaded to your phone or tablet. If you are questioned by the police, this document is what you must present to them. The word “favorable” will appear at the end of the document. You must renew your driver's license each 15 years. You can do this by filling out an administrative form and paying the fee. You must also show proof of your address and identity. You can either do this online or in person at your local prefecture. You can track the status of your license online by entering your file number and personal code. In addition to driving rules It is also important to be aware of the French demerit point system. You could lose your license following the commission of a serious offense or when you accumulate too many points. You can also have your license suspended if have unpaid fines or are involved in an accident that is serious. It is important to know that France operates on the right-hand side of the road, and that traffic coming from the left side is given priority. Also, you should be aware that the speed limit on the national and departmental highways is 80 km/h. However the speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h for local roads and in cities. Getting your license It can be difficult to obtain a driving licence in France no matter if you've just passed your French test or are a new expat driver. There are certain regulations and license requirements that you should be aware of in order to avoid being stopped by police or having an accident because of insufficient driving licenses. To avoid any hassle the best thing you can do is get an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you leave home. This tiny piece of paper translates your license into a variety of languages and is a requirement to carry when driving abroad. They're inexpensive ($20) and easy to get from your local AAA office, and even car rental companies will accept these documents. Fortunately for the majority of expats, they can swap their license to one that is a French one if their country of origin has a reciprocal agreement with France. The process can take from a few weeks up to several months, depending on the prefecture's workload. You'll also require two passport photos taken recently, a medical certification, and two envelopes addressed to yourself. If you don't have a valid identification or your foreign driving permit is expired, you'll need to pass both a theory and practical exam before obtaining a full licence. Individuals with disabilities or other health conditions may have to take additional tests. If you are the latter, an exam will be conducted by an expert doctor who will evaluate your ability to drive. The test consists of a formal examination and a test drive on a parking lot and an interview with the examiner. French drivers must carry their driving license and registration for their vehicle at all at all times. French drivers also need to carry an insurance policy for their cars and other vehicles. It is advisable to contact your insurance company to confirm that your policy covers driving in France and is current. Getting your license in the country where you have made your new home might seem daunting however with a bit of preparation and the help of a driving school, it will be a breeze. While you don't need an instructor in driving to obtain your French license, they will assist you in managing all the paperwork and scheduling.