mint Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 I know this subject crops up now and again but none of the old threads actually address what I need to know so I hope someone can help.OH now needs to change his licence as his UK one will expire in about 5 months time.Now, is it to the Sous Prefecture or the Prefecture to get the necessary paperwork to complete?Is his passport OK for identification and does he need proof of address as well?Is there an upper age limit for just changing the licence or will a medical be necessary?As he has slight glaucoma, would he need a specialist report to say he is OK to drive?Many thanks for your patience. Hope it all goes well and he can get his new licence. Don't fancy having to be chief cook, bottle-washer as well as Chauffeuse in Chief. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Basic requirements here.My experience here. It is done by your préfecture and the form is available online here. You can request that the licence is sent to your nearest sous-préfecture for collection.Eyesight requirements discussed here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 You might be able to go to the office and have the new licence made up within the afternoon - this is possible here. Good idea to ring up and ask what they need.They are fussy about the photo and ask that the face fills the square ie no neck or space above. I had to have the photos redone and dash home for both parts of the UK licence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 Thank you, Clair and Pat.Anyone's got any idea of upper age limit and about the medical condition? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parsnips Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 [quote user="sweet 17"]Thank you, Clair and Pat.Anyone's got any idea of upper age limit and about the medical condition?[/quote]Hi, Provided the UK licence is still valid when changed there is no upper age limit for a normal car licence in France. As for any medical condition--presumably this was acceptible for the UK, so I wouldn't say anything about it unless asked. Obviously if he himself ever has doubts about his visual ability and driving , he should seek medical advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbles Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 We recently changed our licences to French ones since our British ones were about to expire and it seemed easier.And - guess wot - it was very very easy. We went to our Mairie equipped with the usual - proof of identity, proof of address and photos (although we dug these out from the bottom of the drawer and they were at least 5 years old).We filled in a form which asked surprisingly few questions. The only notable one was whether we wore specs for driving.Two weeks later we got a notification that our licences were ready for collection and THEY WERE FREE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 Parsnips, many, many thanks.Of course, he has no doubt about his eyesight or he would voluntarily not drive. We just want to do the right thing.The glaucoma is very mild and is under control so, we will just do as you have advised.Bubbles, perhaps we WILL ask at our Mairie and hope to avoid the trip to the prefecture.Thank you, everybody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert the InfoGipsy Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 I don't know what the rules are, but considering the number of very elderly, nay doddery, French drivers on the roads around hereI wouldn't worry unduly. When I was in hospital recently I shared a room with a guy who was about 80 and definitely well past it but he still drives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 Albert, they are in the UK as well. You only need to go to one of those "retirement" towns such as Bournemouth and you'd see all the doddery ones.No worries about my OH though as I have for years threatened him that the moment he goes doddery, I confiscate his car keys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardbk Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I just completed this yesterday !! I was told that to exchange a license that requires a medical examination (to transfer additional categories such as E (trailer), C1(small lorry), C1E, D1(minibus), D1E) categories you need to apply at the prefecture that is designated for your commune. In my case I went to see them first and a few days later I received a letter to go for a medical. I then returned to change the license. Note that not all prefectures know how to change a UK (or other EU license). It took time and patience(40mins) to ensure that all categories were properly transferred - not helped by their IT system. The same morning another Brit had changed his licenses and they admitted that he'd lost all his additional categories and I have a colleague that also lost his additional categories when changing.regsRichard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted January 20, 2010 Author Share Posted January 20, 2010 Thanks for the info, Richard. I don't think OH wants to tow trailers or drive lorries or mini-buses so let's hope it will be a straightforward procedure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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