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How can I exchange my Dutch driving licence in France?

If you live in France and your Dutch driving licence has expired (or has almost expired), you cannot renew it. Your only option is to exchange your Dutch licence for a French one.

Attention: Exchanging a driving licence can take a long time. Take this into account and arrange things well in advance. This will prevent your driving licence from expiring and you from not being able to drive.

Exchanging your driving licence

You can use your Dutch driving licence in France as long as it is still valid. If it is about to expire, you can exchange it online for a French driving licence. This must be done according to the European rules. You can only have 1 European driving licence. Visit the French government website for more information (in French and English). You don’t need to retake your driving test.

Attention: Your French driving licence may be valid for longer or shorter than your Dutch driving licence. 

Exchanged driving licence?

If your original driving licence was issued by a country that is not part of the European Union (EU) and you then exchanged it for a Dutch driving licence, you may not always be able to exchange your Dutch driving licence in another EU country. The French government information centre (information in French) can tell you whether you can exchange your Dutch driving licence for a French licence in this case. If this is not possible, you will need to take your driving test again.

Lost your driving licence?

Have you lost your driving licence? Then you will need a certificate of authenticity (echtheidsverklaring) from the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) if you wish to apply for a French driving licence. In France this is called an attestation des droits à conduire. The certificate shows whether your driving licence is listed in the Central Driving Licences Register. Visit the website of the RDW for information on how to apply for a certificate of authenticity. There is a fee for this service. Once you have paid you will receive the certificate of authenticity by post at your address. The certificate is in English. You will need to have it and your Dutch driving licence translated into French by a sworn translator.

Find a sworn translator (Legal Aid Council).

Other documents

Visit the French government website for information (in French and English) on the other documents you will need if you wish to exchange your driving licence.

Contact

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.