Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
#1
Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
Just a quick query. I don't have a car, but just occasionally take out a hire car with my British license. If you're a resident here beyond a certain time, is it compulsory to take a French driver's license or can you keep on using your British one?
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Normandy, France and occassionally Nova Scotia!
Posts: 3,373
Re: Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
Hi Gav
no, it's not compulsory anymore to exchange your licence
http://ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en/help...iving-licences
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 241
Re: Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
dont you have to convert it if you get points?
i heard that you need to get a french license to take on points as the french system can't put points on a uk license
i heard that you need to get a french license to take on points as the french system can't put points on a uk license
#5
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
Thats a bit of a yes and no, The few people I know that have been forced to change licenses are HGV holders and people that are loosing their licenses. It kind of depends who is giving the points or removing them as in France, Your ok if its the Automated Speeding machines as the points removal is issued by a computer in paris but if a judge removes them then its an exchange of license.
#6
Re: Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
I'm sure one of our techie guys will let me know the web link to have a look at my hard earned point. I've never checked it! This is one of those times when points don't make prizes. "GROAN" Sorry couldn't resist.
#7
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: 06600 Antibes
Posts: 12
Re: Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
Another related question while we are at it...
I'm currently living in France for a couple of years on assignment from work, and driving on my UK licence. I noticed the other day that my UK licence expires in June next year, 4 months before I am due to return to the UK (10 years will have elapsed since it was issued).
I'm not clear whether I will be able to renew my UK licence in June (I can have it forwarded on from the UK address to which I will be returning if that helps), or whether I will have to get a French licence just for the 4 months till I return to the UK.
Anyone know?
Thanks,
Paul
I'm currently living in France for a couple of years on assignment from work, and driving on my UK licence. I noticed the other day that my UK licence expires in June next year, 4 months before I am due to return to the UK (10 years will have elapsed since it was issued).
I'm not clear whether I will be able to renew my UK licence in June (I can have it forwarded on from the UK address to which I will be returning if that helps), or whether I will have to get a French licence just for the 4 months till I return to the UK.
Anyone know?
Thanks,
Paul
#8
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2
Re: Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
Another related question while we are at it...
I'm currently living in France for a couple of years on assignment from work, and driving on my UK licence. I noticed the other day that my UK licence expires in June next year, 4 months before I am due to return to the UK (10 years will have elapsed since it was issued).
I'm not clear whether I will be able to renew my UK licence in June (I can have it forwarded on from the UK address to which I will be returning if that helps), or whether I will have to get a French licence just for the 4 months till I return to the UK.
Anyone know?
Thanks,
Paul
I'm currently living in France for a couple of years on assignment from work, and driving on my UK licence. I noticed the other day that my UK licence expires in June next year, 4 months before I am due to return to the UK (10 years will have elapsed since it was issued).
I'm not clear whether I will be able to renew my UK licence in June (I can have it forwarded on from the UK address to which I will be returning if that helps), or whether I will have to get a French licence just for the 4 months till I return to the UK.
Anyone know?
Thanks,
Paul
#9
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
yes, after my experience this week with the DVLC, you definatly have to be a resident of the UK,To replace,renew or whatever on your UK LICENSE.They will not deal with c/o addresses. You have to be resident in the UK, take my advice and tell them bugger all, I have lost my entitlement to drive HGV in UK and EUROPE, because of this,so have lost my right to work, having just been offered a job in Holland for 6 months. I live in Thailand,lost my plastic counter part,they will not replace,unless I am resident in the UK. I would rather have darts in my eyes, than go back there to live.
The subject has come up here many times before and at least one member I know of has contacted DVLA by phone in advance and the DVLA employee dealing with it said refrain from telling us where you don't live just give us an Address in the UK to send it to. Its an ongoing issue within Europe.
But if for example you have a HGV license and you wish to work in France the law here requires you retake the French Heavy Goods Test. Professional and recreational driving are different ball parks and license interchangeability is different.
Last edited by Ka Ora!; Jun 6th 2010 at 5:22 pm.
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: SE Dordogne France
Posts: 982
Re: Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
Apparently it's all done on some central European database now, so everyone knows I have a point on my licence. Oh, the shame!!
I'm sure one of our techie guys will let me know the web link to have a look at my hard earned point. I've never checked it! This is one of those times when points don't make prizes. "GROAN" Sorry couldn't resist.
I'm sure one of our techie guys will let me know the web link to have a look at my hard earned point. I've never checked it! This is one of those times when points don't make prizes. "GROAN" Sorry couldn't resist.
If you still have your UK licence then the point you have lost is not recorded anywhere therefore there is nothing to look up online. To lose points you must have a French licence and if you have one you can check your points here.
https://tele7.interieur.gouv.fr/tele...ntification.do
Strictly speaking the loss of a single point requires an exchange licence for it to be deducted but in practice it is generally only for offences attracting a loss of 2 points or more which will result in a demand for an exchange.
#11
Re: Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
For my sins, I have been caught a couple of times by the cameras on the 90 kmh section of the Toulouse Periphique. No excuse, but I just missed the signs when it changed from 110 kmh to 90 kmh.
On both occasions, I have been given a 45€ fine and the accompanying form said that one point would be deducted from my licence. I have a UK licence and have not been requested to exchange it for a French licence, as I feared may be the case.
Is the fact that I have lost points stored any where, even though I have not got a French licence? I was just wondering, if I have to exchange my licence for some reason, will the points be deducted then?
On both occasions, I have been given a 45€ fine and the accompanying form said that one point would be deducted from my licence. I have a UK licence and have not been requested to exchange it for a French licence, as I feared may be the case.
Is the fact that I have lost points stored any where, even though I have not got a French licence? I was just wondering, if I have to exchange my licence for some reason, will the points be deducted then?
#12
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
For my sins, I have been caught a couple of times by the cameras on the 90 kmh section of the Toulouse Periphique. No excuse, but I just missed the signs when it changed from 110 kmh to 90 kmh.
On both occasions, I have been given a 45€ fine and the accompanying form said that one point would be deducted from my licence. I have a UK licence and have not been requested to exchange it for a French licence, as I feared may be the case.
Is the fact that I have lost points stored any where, even though I have not got a French licence? I was just wondering, if I have to exchange my licence for some reason, will the points be deducted then?
On both occasions, I have been given a 45€ fine and the accompanying form said that one point would be deducted from my licence. I have a UK licence and have not been requested to exchange it for a French licence, as I feared may be the case.
Is the fact that I have lost points stored any where, even though I have not got a French licence? I was just wondering, if I have to exchange my licence for some reason, will the points be deducted then?
You will get a letter from Paris one day explaining the loss of points, You get another letter when you regain them The Oh was driving and she ticked the wrong box, So I got the points
#13
Re: Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
The original letters came from Rennes. I didn't return a form as I paid the fine online. I can only assume that the points loss is held against my name somewhere, but as I do not have a French licence in the first place it may slip through the cracks.
Be nice if French bureaucracy worked in my favour for a change!!
Be nice if French bureaucracy worked in my favour for a change!!
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: SE Dordogne France
Posts: 982
Re: Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
Never heard of that for a UK one and certainly still waiting for mine 3 years after a moments distraction on the Paris Periphrique
#15
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: Quick question regarding UK/French driver's license
I disagree I have a British/German and USA Driving Licenses purely because I have always chosen to take the test again instead of exchanging. Im good at taking the test. And have had a number of points deducted in France thanks to the wife, I had a letter when they were removed and one when they were returned. They are not very prompt with the letters though.
Last edited by Ka Ora!; Jun 7th 2010 at 11:20 am.