Have your foreign driving licence translated (both sides) by a sworn translator registered with a French Court of Appeal. An essential document for exchanging a foreign licence via the ANTS platform and for any prefecture procedure.
A certified translation of a driving licence is mandatory in several situations:
Since 2020, exchanging a foreign licence in France has been handled exclusively online via the ANTS platform (the French National Agency for Secure Documents). Here are the steps:
Licences issued in a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area are automatically recognised in France. Exchange has no longer been mandatory since 2013 (except in specific cases: an offence, loss, or renewal). A translation remains useful for licences written in Greek or non-Latin alphabets.
France has signed bilateral licence-exchange agreements with numerous countries. The most common: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Canada (most provinces), the United States (certain states only · Texas, Illinois, Iowa, South Carolina, etc.), Japan, South Korea, Madagascar, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Turkey, Serbia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Ukraine, Russia, Taiwan, Andorra, Monaco, Switzerland, the United Kingdom.
For countries without an agreement (mainland China · excluding Hong Kong and Macao, India, most sub-Saharan African countries, and certain Gulf countries), an exchange is not possible. The driver must retake the French driving test (theory + practical) within the year following their arrival.
An ANTS exchange application requires a certified translation that scrupulously meets the following requirements:
Unlike civil status documents or diplomas, the ANTS does not require an apostille on the licence itself. However, some prefectures may require a certified true copy (from the town hall or the consulate) for particularly old licences or those from countries considered at higher risk of fraud.
To find out more: see our apostille & legalisation page.
We translate driving licences from more than 60 languages. The most common requests:
See the full list on our available languages page.
The price is charged per page (about 250 words) according to the language of your licence. Translation of both sides, certification, stamp, signature and the signed PDF are included; the paper original is an option.
| Service | Delivery | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| English → French | 3 business days | €54 / page | Translation, certification, stamp, signed PDF |
| Spanish, German, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Chinese → French | 3 business days | €59 / page | Translation, certification, stamp, signed PDF |
| Italian, Romanian, Turkish → French | 3 business days | €39 / page | Translation, certification, stamp, signed PDF |
| Other languages | 3 business days | €39 to €139 / page | Exact rate shown in the instant quote |
| Priority option | 36h | +€19.72 / order | Faster delivery of the signed PDF |
| Paper original (optional) | 24–72h after the PDF | +€9.60 / order | Wet-stamped original by tracked post |
Instant quote through our online configurator.
Any exchange application via the ANTS requires a certified translation of both sides. The translation is also useful for roadside checks, renting a vehicle, or an insurance claim after an accident.
The price depends on the language of your driving licence, not on the type of document. It is charged per page (about 250 words), taxes included: €54 for English, €59 for Spanish, German, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian or Chinese, and €39 for Italian, Romanian or Turkish. Other languages range from €39 to €139. A licence with both sides translated usually fits on one page.
Standard delivery in 3 business days is included. Two options are available: 36h Priority (+€19.72 per order) and a paper original by tracked post (+€9.60 per order). The signed PDF, certification, stamp and signature are included in every price. VAT is not charged for billing addresses outside the EU. You see your exact price in the online quote before paying.
All EU/EEA countries, plus countries with a bilateral agreement: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Madagascar, Senegal, Lebanon, Turkey, Serbia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Ukraine, Russia, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and certain US states. Check the official list before applying.
12 months from obtaining your first residence permit (non-EU nationals) or from establishing normal residence (EU/EEA nationals). After this deadline, the exchange is no longer possible: you will have to retake the theory and practical tests in France.
No. The ANTS does not require an apostille on the licence. Some prefectures may ask for a certified true copy for old licences or those from specific countries, but this is rare.
No. The international driving permit (1949 Geneva Convention or 1968 Vienna Convention) is useful for driving temporarily abroad (maximum 1 year), but it cannot be exchanged for a French licence. For an exchange, a certified translation of the national licence remains mandatory.
Yes, for one year from establishing normal residence. Beyond that, you must have exchanged your licence (if your country is eligible) or obtained a French licence. A translation is nonetheless strongly recommended to avoid any difficulty during a check.
You must take the French driving test (theory + practical) within 12 months of your arrival. Translating the foreign licence will not lead to an exchange, but it remains useful to prove your driving experience during a check or for insurance purposes.
Order online, receive your certified translation in 3 business days from a registered translator. No travel required, 100% secure.