Which driving licences are allowed in the Schengen Area?

Which driving licences are allowed in the Schengen Area?

Travelling, visiting, renting a car, temporary or long-term residency... Visitors to the Schengen Area with foreign driving licenses must verify their ability to drive in the Schengen Area. Here, see how you can drive with a foreign driving licence in France and the rest of the Schengen Area.

Driving in France...

with a driving licence issued in a European country

Example: Swiss licence in France. Regardless of the length of your stay, driving in France with a foreign licence issued by a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area is possible if:

- you are at least 18 years of age
- your licence is valid
- your licence complies with the medical information on it (glasses, adaptation of the vehicle for people with disabilities, etc.)
- your licence is not restricted, suspended or revoked
- you did not obtain your licence while you were in France, while you were prohibited from applying for or obtaining a driving licence, or while
- your licence had been legally revoked or invalidated.

Residents: if there is a reciprocal exchange agreement between France and the country where your licence was issued, you may apply to exchange your foreign licence for a French one, but this is not a requirement. This is only required if your licence is no longer valid, if you apply for a new category of licence (extension) or if you commit a traffic offence in France that results in a loss of points, restriction, suspension or revocation of your licence.

with a driving licence issued in a non-European country

Example: Moroccan licence valid in France.

Are you in France for a short stay? There is no need for a list of foreign driving licences valid in France: you can drive with your valid licence.

Are you in France for your studies? If you hold a student residency permit, you can drive with your valid foreign licence throughout your studies in France. Once you have completed your studies, if you decide to stay in France and obtain a regular residency permit, the rules change because you are now a resident of France.

Are you a French resident? You must have obtained your licence before the date of validity of your first residency permit in France or before the validation of your visa by the French Office for Immigration and Integration (Ofii).

For a short stay, studies or residency, you must meet several conditions to drive in France with a foreign driving licence,including:

- the minimum age required to drive vehicles in France under the equivalent category to your licence (e.g.: 18 years for licence B);
- respect the medical information on your licence (glasses are required, etc.);
- if you are a citizen of a country other than the country of issue, you must have obtained your licence during a period in which your normal residency was in that country;
- not be subject to any suspension, restriction or revocation of your right to drive in your country (or in the country of issue of the licence if different);
- have a driving licence written in French or accompanied by an official translation to facilitate any checks.

Residents. From the time you acquire normal residency in France, you will be able to use your driving licence under these conditions for one year. After this period, you must obtain a French driving licence. If there is a reciprocal exchange agreement between France and the country where your licence was issued, a simple request to the French government is sufficient. If there isn’t one, you must take the French driving test to continue driving. For more information, please visit French government website on road safety.

Driving in the rest of the Schengen Area (outside France)...

with a French driving licence

Driving licences issued by European countries* are mutually recognised. You do not need an international licence, nor do you need to exchange your licence to drive or rent a car in other Schengen countries. Your valid French driving licence is valid in all Schengen Area and European Union countries, regardless of the length of your stay.

* European countries (EU + Schengen) = Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.with a driving licence issued in a non-European country

The rules differ depending on the issuing country of the driving licence and the country in the Schengen Area in which you wish to use it. Each country in the Schengen Area is free to decide whether or not they will recognise foreign driving licences. Check whether your foreign (non-EU) driving licence is recognised in the Schengen country you wish to visit and under what conditions directly with the local authorities.

—

Remember, some foreign nationals are required to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa (type C). Find out here how to apply for a Schengen visa and which Schengen travel insurance policy you should choose.