If you are planning on driving while you’re in France, get ready for your first ‘Grand Prix’ experience, because that’s what it will feel like on the roads.  The French drivers are pretty wild, and you’ll need to be prepared. More importantly, you need to know the basic driving rule for France…the driver to the right has the right-of-way.  Traffic is frequently congested here.  Remember, that in turning circles, traffic entering the circle has the right of way in Paris.

If you are a resident of France (holder of a carte de séjour or carte de residence,) you may drive in France with a valid U.S. driver’s license for a one-year recognition period, beginning on the date of validity of the first carte de séjour (exception for students who are allowed to use their driver’s license for the duration of their studies.) In addition to having your U.S. driver’s license, residents are also required to attach a French translation done by a sworn translator (traducteur expert-juré) or an International Driver’s license. Students are allowed to use their drivers’ licenses for the duration of their studies.

NOTE: Persons with valid driver’s licenses, issued prior to their first entry into France as a resident, from the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia may directly ‘exchange’ their state driver’s licenses for French permits. This is because these 14 states offer a reciprocal privilege of exchange for French citizens holding French permits in the U.S.

French Driver’s License
Prefecture de Police
7 Boulevard du Palais
75004 Paris
01 53 71 53 71

You will relinquish your U.S. driver’s license when you choose the option of exchanging it for a French license. If you would like to keep your U.S. license you will have to pass both the written and road tests in France. A French license can be exchanged for a U.S. license if the original U.S. license was obtained in one of the 14 states mentioned below.

If you have a driver’s license from one of these 14 states: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia apply for the French driver’s license (permis de conduire) in your city of residence at least three months before the expiration of your first year of residency to allow sufficient time for the required formalities. Go to the Prefecture de Police to make the exchange. If residing in Paris, apply in person.