What NOT To Do Within The French Driving License Industry
How to Get a French Driving License It is a great idea to take driving lessons at a school if are an ex-pat. They will handle all the paperwork for you and cut down on the wait time to get the test date. The French driving license (permis) is a pink credit card. It could take between several weeks to a few months to receive. Theory test The driving theory test, or the code, is the most important step in the French driving license process. You can prepare for the test by reading an instructional manual and using mobile apps to aid you learn. The test covers traffic safety and road laws. You can also take a no-cost online test to practice. The test is conducted digitally at the testing center using tablets. You must answer 35 questions correctly to pass. Like many countries in the world, a French driver's license can only be obtained after passing both a theoretical and practical test. However, the French driving test is known for being difficult. According to the latest statistics that only 59.2 percent of men and 54.4 percent of women passed their test on their first attempt, while the pass rate for the practical test was even lower at 58.6% for men and 52.8 percent for women. Those with certain disabilities or health conditions might have to undergo additional tests. permis b1 can take the test in conjunction with a driving school that will arrange your classes and test or as an independent candidate. To do so permis b1 must sign up for a “NEPH – numero d'enregistrement prefectoral harmonise” on the website of the government agency ANTS. This number is required for booking a theory test date. Many driving schools such as Pass Rousseau offer online preparation courses that include live online practice and live classes. These courses are costly, but can save you time. Some schools, such as Fehrenbach are specifically designed towards English speakers, but they can be more expensive than a standard French driving school. If you possess an official driving licence from a member state of the European Union and a residence permit, you are able to exchange your license for one in French one. permis b1 is lengthy and requires a translation by an official translator. You can still take the test even if you do not speak French with a translation. You can take the test any number of times you wish, with no waiting period. The regular theory test costs EUR30. Practical test If you are planning to drive a car in France you must pass a theory test (known as le Code) and a practical test. You can take both exams at a driving school which will organise the tests and lessons for you or on your own as an external candidate. If you choose to be an independent candidate, you need to sign up for an NEPH number – Numero Prefectural harmonise number – on the website of government agency ANTS. The test, referred to as le Code, consists of 40 questions with multiple-choice answers covering topics such as traffic laws, road safety regulations and driving rules. You can find study guides and practice apps on the internet, or purchase an Code de la Route book from a bookshop or online. It's possible to get an “A” grade if you score 20 or more points, as long as you don't make eliminatory mistakes (crossing an established line, driving on the left, not observing the stop sign or the priority rules). During the practical test, a judge will evaluate your ability to drive in normal traffic conditions in the vehicle of your choice. The test is comprised of 25 minutes of driving. It lasts for around two hours total. The examiner will also ask you to demonstrate your knowledge of basic first aid. The test can be repeated five times in three years. As an external candidate you can bring a tutor to the test however, they are not allowed to charge more than the cost of a lesson. However, if you are studying at a driving school, they are able to assign an instructor to accompany you on the test. If you fail the practical test, you may repeat it up to five times. Be aware that the theory and the practice tests are conducted in French and you'll need an excellent level of proficiency in the language. It's best to plan ahead and begin learning as early as possible prior to moving to France. The test may be difficult for non-French speakers, and you should aim to have an acceptable level of proficiency by the time you take it. Passing the test Before taking the test to earn their French driving license, new drivers must be aware of certain things. They must pass both the theory and the practical exam before they can drive on French roads. They also need to be insured for their vehicle and obtain a pollution certificate (“conduit accompanye”). The first step is to take the theory exam, also known as the code. The test consists of multiple-choice and oral explanation questions. The next step is to take the practical test which is a more difficult test that requires a lot of practice. The examiner will want you to show your understanding of the rules of the road and what to do in an emergency situation, such as if someone is seriously injured or unconscious. Once you have passed the theory and practical tests, you will be issued an official document titled the certificate d'examen du permis de conduire. This document is valid for a period of four months and can be downloaded to your tablet or phone. This is what you need to show the police when you are stopped. The word “favorable” that will be at the bottom of the document, will be indicated. You must renew your driver's licence every 15 years. You can do this by filling out an administrative form and paying the fee. You will also need to provide proof of your identity and address. You can either complete this online or in person at your local prefecture. You can check the status of your license online by entering your file number and personal code. In addition to driving rules It is essential to be aware of the French demerit point system. You can lose your driving license if commit a serious offense or accumulate too many points. You could also lose your license if you do not pay fines or been involved in an accident that is serious. It is important to know that France drives on a right-hand side of the road, and that traffic that is coming from the left is given priority. It is also important to be aware that the speed limit on the national and departmental highways is 80 km/h. However the speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h for local roads and in cities. Getting your license If you've just passed your French driving test or are an expat driver who is moving to France, getting a license in the country isn't easy. You need to know the rules and prerequisites for the license in order to avoid being stopped by police or getting into an accident due to invalid driving permits. To avoid any trouble the best thing to do is obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you leave home. This tiny piece of paper is required to be carried on your person when traveling abroad. It converts your driver's permit into several foreign languages. They're cheap ($20) and easy to obtain from your local AAA office and even car rental companies accept these documents. For most expats, they are able to exchange their license to a French one if their country of origin has a reciprocal agreement with France. The process can take between a few weeks to a few months, based on the prefecture's work load. You'll also need two passport photos taken recently and a medical certificate, and two envelopes addressed to yourself. If you don't have a valid identification or your foreign driving permit expires, you'll have take a theoretical and practical test prior to obtaining the full license. People with disabilities or other health issues may need to pass additional tests. In the event of the second scenario, the doctor will conduct an exam to evaluate your driving abilities. The test will consist of a theory test and a drive on a parking lot and an interview with the examiner. French drivers must have their driver's license and vehicle registration at all times. Drivers in France must also have an insurance policy for their cars and other vehicles. Check with your insurance company to ensure that your policy covers driving in France and is current. Getting your license in the country of your new home might seem daunting however with a bit of preparation and the assistance of a driving instructor it will be easy. While you don't require an instructor to obtain your French license, they can make the process easier by managing all the paperwork and scheduling.