JHead

Hello, I have decided to start a new thread.
I am wanting to exchange a UK driving licence for a French one. I have a question. One of the documents required by the French authorities is "justifcatif de résidence du demandeur en France depuis 6 mois". I called the French authorities who say that I should obtain a certificate from the UK authorities saying when I left the UK. I called the British Consulate in Paris who informed me that there is no register of UK nationals living in France. Does anyone have any experience with providing this documentation? This is different to a "Justificatif de domicile" which can be a utility bill. Many thanks for any advice.

Im_and_Er

That's a new one on me.

Both my OH and I have exchanged our licences and were not required to provide this nor have I heard of anybody else being asked for it.

As you are under no obligation whatsoever to inform the UK that you are leaving the country it's facile to expect people to get some sort of certificate from the UK.

If you are in the health system the date of your attestation will establish your assumption of residency.

Why do you want to exchange, is it because it is due to expire ?

If not then forget it and stick with the UK one, it's perfectly legal.

JHead

hi there, thanks a lot. The problem with the UK licence is that you are supposed to have a permanent address there. I have been using a relative's address and she is about to move so I would need to change the address on my UK licence to her new address. I have lived in France for a long time and thought that maybe it was time to get a French one/European format. It is due to expire in 2021.

loy loy

not really relevant, but our licenses still show the house we used to live at in England. So I probably wouldn't change it.

Im_and_Er

Not true.

You need to be UK resident to renew it but apart from that there is nothing at all wrong with driving on it anywhere in Europe so long as it remains in date.

InVinoVeritas

There's no obligation in France, even if you're resident, to exchange a UK licence for a French one and there's no obligation if you have a French licence to notify a change of address so ipso facto I would stay with the UK licence even if the address is no longer valid.

bigglesworth

DVLA require you to keep your address up to date.
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-20968886
Note also that you need to update your photo every ten years.
Most insurance companies also have it in the small print that your licence be up-to-date. Whatever that means.

So it is a bit of a tricky one for those of us who move between the two countries.
I keep my UK licence, as I spend a fair bit of time in the UK.

I read constantly that there is no need to change to a French licence, but am not sure that procedurally it is the safest option. Any thoughts, advice very welcome

InVinoVeritas

The French can require someone to exchange to a French licence but this is normally only if they want to impose a driving ban. I guess they would try and sort out a justificatif de residence for you as part of the process

JHead

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I will try to contact the prefecture again tomorrow to see what could be accepted as the "Justificatif de résidence".

JAJ

Not if the new address is outside Great Britain:
https://www.gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence

You should have your driving licence where your home is, normally. Although a GB licence (no such thing as a "U.K." licence by the way, since Northern Ireland has its own system) can be held as a basis to drive elsewhere in the EU/EEA, they will not issue a new GB licence without a GB address. So if you lose your licence, you won't be able to replace it easily and without it, you may not get a local licence easily or quickly.

jvc

I had this very same point clarified by the Prefecture this week! Myself, along with one or two friends have been pulled over during routine checks by the Gendermarie. He said all was good but I should "really" change my licence for a french one. The lady officer was happy with everything, the miserable male one suggested that I should change it. I queried it with him, as I have some friends who haven't been picked up on this, and some that have! So I emailed our prefecture, who suggested it is NOT necessary to change the licence, so long as it is in date. I admit it seems bizarre to have an old european licence with an address that has been invalid for many years. I think the DVLA should change the addresses on these. Obviously, when it runs out I will need to get a french one. I just wonder how easy it would be to get an english one again if I did replace it for a french one in time. I just wish the french would sort this ruling out once and for all. I have therefor copied the email and put it in the car, so that I won't get pulled up again with the same issue.

mentalist

Would the old pink GB paper driving licence without the photo be acceptable? I have a current UAE licence as well as an old paper GB licence and hope to retire to France later this year. I used the UAE licence when last renting a car in France, but that won't be valid once I permanently leave the UAE. Needless to say, the address on the GB licence is out of date as they wouldn't renew whilst I was working and living overseas. How easy is it to simply take a driving test and get a French licence once I arrive?

bigglesworth

Yes that is how I read it too. It has to be up-to-date, which must include ones CURRENT address. If one lives outside the UK,the address is not acceptable, so the licencee is not up-to-date.

Tweedpipe

The first step is to apply by completing form Cerfa 14866, available HERE.
You will then require a medical examination/delivery of a certificate. Then to take the theory exam by studying the Code de la route. Once you've passed this exam (hope your French is more than reasonable) you may then apply to take the driving test.
Rather you than me. Best of luck.

Chatter Static

A letter of entitlement from DVLA will suffice for a driving license exchange there would be no need to take the test again