Pauline Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Hi could anyone tell me if you need to change your UK driving licence for a French one if you live in France, I am getting conflicting advice., and if so what do we need to do.Thanks Pauline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 No - Unless.You reach 70 years of age.You commit a traffic offence and the Gendarmes tell you to. Normally only for offences attracting more than 1 point.Trouble is some Gendarmes don't even know the rules and will tell you that you must change within a year if you live here which is not true.EDIT:I'll add to that that if you have a UK photo licence and it expires then technically at least you cannot renew it and would therefore have to take out a French one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceni Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 FWIW - I changed mine as I could envisage circs when the UK address might lead to conflict with a man with a gun. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maricopa Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 If you do have a photocard style licence, then you need to exchange it before it expires, as the licence has to be vaild when exchanged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Yes you should but it's not quite the full story as you can always get a letter of entilement from the DVLA which is acceptable to get a French licence.It's what you would have to do if your current UK licence was lost or destroyed say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pauline Posted May 2, 2009 Author Share Posted May 2, 2009 Thanks for the replies, next question, sorry to seem a bit slow but how do we go about changing it to a french driving licence, is it just at the post office? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maricopa Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 [quote user="Pauline"]Thanks for the replies, next question, sorry to seem a bit slow but how do we go about changing it to a french driving licence, is it just at the post office?[/quote]No, either at the Sous Préfecture or Préfecture, though some Mairie's will do it by post I believe.See here for more information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicandJo Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 If your driving licence is issued by another EU member state then no you don't need to exchange it for a French one, unless you meet the criteria above ie 70 yrs or commit an offence.If it's issued by a country outside of the EU then you have 1 year in which to exchange it for a French one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debnfamily Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 But how do you get around the address being wrong on it then? Its ok if you still have a UK address but it feels a bit dodgy once you have tenants living there, who may not forward official looking mail! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday Driver Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Once you have left the UK, the old address on your licence is no longer relevant. Any correspondence the DVLA send will be a reminder that your licence is due to expire so it'll be up to you to remember for yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicandJo Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 .......or a speeding fine from a UK car rental...........[:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkster Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Just been to exchange my licence and been told I need a medical. According to the form it is if I want a E(B) Licence. Well since I do not tow a caravan do I need this additional piece or would a standard B licence cover most things such as transit vans, cars etc. (from website anything less than 3.5T). Also, my UK licence covers me to drive a minibus up to 16 people but seemingly not on a French licence (max 9 people including driver).Also, if I were to go for the permis b and in the future went back to a UK licence would the entitlements reappear on my licence? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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