UK to French driving licence

[Fred]

Has anyone done the new French driving licence ?

My old UK one is about to run out and I was wondering if anyone had changed to the new French card ones, Mrs Fred had done the old one a few years ago but they are no longer available and apparently it's all changed.

Any info thanks.

[Admiral]

Tricksy old subject this one.

When we first came out here, quivering with the excitement of it all and wanting everything to be French, we mentioned it to a group of friends who looked horrified and said "DON'T"

The reasons for this seem to be many and various ranging from different towing weights in France compared to the UK, different size of truck you can drive/hire etc etc.

The didn't bother me because I don't drive trucks, tow trailers or have a tractor to run around in.

Now, I don't know if a lot of what we were told is truth or fiction, ex-pat urban myth etc.

But.....the only blinding bit of logic that made sense was this; if you have a French licence our chums in the Gendarmarie can whack points on willy nilly and do all the other things they love to do. They can't with a UK licence.

That little waffle was probably of no use whatsoever but the moral of the story is that we kept our UK driving thingies...

[Fred]

Tricksy old subject this one.

When we first came out here, quivering with the excitement of it all and wanting everything to be French, we mentioned it to a group of friends who looked horrified and said "DON'T"

The reasons for this seem to be many and various ranging from different towing weights in France compared to the UK, different size of truck you can drive/hire etc etc.

The didn't bother me because I don't drive trucks, tow trailers or have a tractor to run around in.

Now, I don't know if a lot of what we were told is truth or fiction, ex-pat urban myth etc.

But.....the only blinding bit of logic that made sense was this; if you have a French licence our chums in the Gendarmarie can whack points on willy nilly and do all the other things they love to do. They can't with a UK licence.

That little waffle was probably of no use whatsoever but the moral of the story is that we kept our UK driving thingies...

No not overly useful but entertaining as usual none the less.

Re The Trailer and weight issue: You need to go to your GP and he will sign to say you can drive them.

Re the points: It was like that but I think now they have a reciprocal agreement, and let each other know so they can make you change your licence.

Re Keeping an English one: You now have to have proof of British residency and 3 years proof of living at the address.

I've got my forms and the lady said it could take 4 months so get it in quick, my licence runs out in 5 weeks so she wont be happy by the time of gone through it, gone to my GP, got my photos, etc.

Oh well this is France so I will take my time just as they do and report back when I figure it all out.

By the way I had a bit of a shock!
[sp]There is only THREE pieces of paper to fill in. That must be a first[/sp]

[Fred]

UPDATE: Got signed form from GP (he asked me to read the top line of an eyesight test, checked my blood pressure and said all was fine) got the papers filled in to the best of my knowledge, reported to the Prefecture with the paperwork and photos, the lady was very helpful and spoke a little English. She checked through it all, stuck my photos on for me, didn't ask for a translation (though it said on the form one may be needed) and said you should get phone call when it's available in Poitiers.

What I have to go to Poitiers to get it ?
"No just tell them you cant get there and they will send to Montmorillon."

Will now wait and see.

[Admiral]

I await the outcome with a frisson of excitement.

My UK credit card style licence runs out in a couple of years and if it's as easy as you seem to think I may go down the French route. There again I may not.

Must say your visit to the Prefecture seemed far too easy for France. Maybe she threw your papers in the bin as you left?

[Fred]

I await the outcome with a frisson of excitement.

My UK credit card style licence runs out in a couple of years and if it's as easy as you seem to think I may go down the French route. There again I may not.

Must say your visit to the Prefecture seemed far too easy for France. Maybe she threw your papers in the bin as you left?

Oh ye of little faith, she wouldn't do that. .............................. Would she!

[Fred]

Update time:

Had a letter back form Poitiers saying they needed a translation of my driving licence and proof of the categories I can drive.

I reported back to the nice lady in Montmorillon and asked for help, she said did you send them a copy of your card driving licence ? No you did I replied after you checked my application.

Do you have your British card licence with you ? Yes here it is. Well there is nothing to translate and the categories are listed on the back, so they must have lost the copy. Off she went with my licence and came back with two photocopies about three times larger, pinned them to the letter they sent from Poitiers, stamped it and said that's done.

Is that it then? Yes unless you have another question ? Mmmmmm No Bye.

I suppose I just wait and see what comes back next.

[Admiral]

Well....c'mon Fred.

What happened next?

Did it take several months and you're still waiting?

Or did they "lose" your paperwork?

Did the renowned French rulebook get the better of you, and you're now mired in a swamp of bureaucratic nightmare proportions?

Gosh the excitement.............

[Fred]

I was going to update after Wednesday, but as you've asked.

I got a letter on Friday saying my licence was available at the Poitiers prefecture for collection

The lady at Montmorillon said I could phone them and get it delivered to her for collection, but I have to go to hospital on Wednesday at Poitiers so I though I would get it then. I also thought I could check it whilst there to make sure it was right.

I'll report back after I have it in my hand, but for the moment it seems you can get one without going through translations and conformation of vehicle you can drive. All you need do is go back to the lady in Montmorillon and ask what they want translated as it's a European licence and the categories are listed on the back, she makes a giant photo copies rubber stamps it and sends it back.

13 March I put it in at Montmorillon, 17 March they asked for translation and proof of categories, 8 June got letter it's ready.

*Tip to anyone reading this, when they ask for translation and proof of categories you can drive, tell them it's a European driving licence and has the little blue flag with gold stars and there is nothing to translate. Also tell them if they opened their eyes and turn the licence over the categories are on the back.

PS: This was for replacing a British Card type photo driving licence that runs out every ten years, I don't know how it would go with the old paper ones. But the lady at the Montmorillon office was very helpful

[Fred]

Update one my last post above.

All done and dusted, I'm the proud owner of a new French driving licence complete with all the categories I had on my British one. Plus one additional one I can also ride a tiddly widdly moped, I don't know why they added that as I have a full motorcycle licence. So if you hear a faint Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Pu Put Spluter Spluter, that'll be my poor little tiddly widdly moped trying to get me up the hill.

What have a I learnt from this?

1. Get your application in quick as it can take 3 months.
   
2. Go to the office in Montmorillon, the lady is very helpful and it will save you a lot of hassle.
   
3. When they ask for a translation & proof of categories, go back to the office in Montmorillon don't deal with Poitiers.
   
4. Don't go to Poitiers to collect your licence you will quee for ages, get them to send it to Montmorillon.
   
5. Be patient, very patient, very very patient, this is France.
   

Also by what I found out it is now illegal and you may get done by the French if you renew your British licence in the UK with a fake address and live in France. So my advice would be keep an eye on your British licence as they only last 10 years, check the date on it and apply for a French one 6 months in advance. It could save you a lot of problems later on.

Good luck and remember this is talking about the British card type driving licence with a photo. If anyone has more info on changing from British to French please add it here as it will help others.

Happy safe motoring, Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Pu Put Splutter Splutttttttttt Phtttttttttttttttttttt Oh that didn't last long Oops. Won't get a job as a pizza delivery boy now.