Obtaining French Drivers License
thank you very much for all the tips elzevir! They are most helpful. I went to the prefecture today and as I thought I could not exchange my drivers license for a french one. I did find out however that I can take however many courses I like. I am not forced to take the 20 hours of driving. They recommended a school in my neighborhood so I am going to check that out tomorrow and get started. I am sure it is a lengthy process and since my first titre de sejour ends this month there is no way I can finish it before then. I will have a couple of months or so where I cant drive. I put it off to long!
There are some tricks that even if you speak fluently can fool you which hopefully the course covers. I think there is also now a computer tool for training also. I'll have to dig through my files to see if I have my notes. It sounds like your plan is good. If you could pay for 1 hr of road time before the drivers test, that might be helpful to understand all the tricks. Some of the things that I vaguely recollect are:
1) All the distances to Railroad tracks, etc. are all in meters and actually spaced differently even if you do a mathematical conversion. Must know speeds on all the different roads.
2) Knowing what a stop line and yield line looks like
3) The right of way rule or as the instructor called it the "american trap". They really try to get you on the driving test on this. In the pictures, how to recognize the right of way situation
4) Rules in cities, in towns and in hamlets. Also, how in the slide do you differentiate between them (hamlets don't have sidewalks). Where can you blow horns ?
5) Knowing the significance of the different colored poles (red and white, etc.). The best one is what marks an intersection in the country side.
6) Passing rules -- in the US you can pass on the right or left. Only on the left in France. Speed rules in different lanes.
7) How in a still picture can you tell if someone is about to cross the street or is waiting on the corner for a bus.
8) While driving, recognizing situations where you are forced to turn even though the examiner doesn't say anything. This was the hardest and failed 1-2 people on the test that I took. Essentially you end up making a lot of turns without indications by the examiner when you enter one-ways, etc.
9) Making a turn in multilane roads onto multilane roads and which is the *right* lane to be in.. I think it was a 3 lane road turning to a 2 lane road and do you go into the left or right lane of the two lane road if you are in the middle lane of the 3 lane road.
Just remember that even if you drive well, these tests can be quite a pain especially in the details they ask and the situations which you might not run across a lot.
1) All the distances to Railroad tracks, etc. are all in meters and actually spaced differently even if you do a mathematical conversion. Must know speeds on all the different roads.
2) Knowing what a stop line and yield line looks like
3) The right of way rule or as the instructor called it the "american trap". They really try to get you on the driving test on this. In the pictures, how to recognize the right of way situation
4) Rules in cities, in towns and in hamlets. Also, how in the slide do you differentiate between them (hamlets don't have sidewalks). Where can you blow horns ?
5) Knowing the significance of the different colored poles (red and white, etc.). The best one is what marks an intersection in the country side.
6) Passing rules -- in the US you can pass on the right or left. Only on the left in France. Speed rules in different lanes.
7) How in a still picture can you tell if someone is about to cross the street or is waiting on the corner for a bus.
8) While driving, recognizing situations where you are forced to turn even though the examiner doesn't say anything. This was the hardest and failed 1-2 people on the test that I took. Essentially you end up making a lot of turns without indications by the examiner when you enter one-ways, etc.
9) Making a turn in multilane roads onto multilane roads and which is the *right* lane to be in.. I think it was a 3 lane road turning to a 2 lane road and do you go into the left or right lane of the two lane road if you are in the middle lane of the 3 lane road.
Just remember that even if you drive well, these tests can be quite a pain especially in the details they ask and the situations which you might not run across a lot.
elzevir, thanks for the info concerning the test.
I speak French fluently so I don't expect to much difficulity as far as that is concerned. I do plan on taking the classes for the Code de la Route. However, I think 20 hours of driving is overkill. I have driven quite a bit in France over the past 10 year both in Paris, other cities as well as the autoroutes and countryside so I dont think I need 20 hours of instruction. 4 or 5 hours should suffice and would allow me to fill in any holes I might have concerning laws and signs.
One sign which I have no idea what it means is the triangular sign with a car that looks like it's motor is exploding.
I speak French fluently so I don't expect to much difficulity as far as that is concerned. I do plan on taking the classes for the Code de la Route. However, I think 20 hours of driving is overkill. I have driven quite a bit in France over the past 10 year both in Paris, other cities as well as the autoroutes and countryside so I dont think I need 20 hours of instruction. 4 or 5 hours should suffice and would allow me to fill in any holes I might have concerning laws and signs.
One sign which I have no idea what it means is the triangular sign with a car that looks like it's motor is exploding.
When I passed my driving test, my teacher was in the back, while the expert was sitting next to me. By coincidence, his German was excellent and he ended up giving me instructions what to do in German.
Ha, it's was too much fun, because my instructor in the back didn't understand a word. I think, it's was worse for him than for me.
Ha, it's was too much fun, because my instructor in the back didn't understand a word. I think, it's was worse for him than for me.
Basically at least a limited French knowledge is esential to get a permit, otherwise you may not be able to follow some of the driving wasrniongs or signs (although the trafic signs are fairly international in Europe.
BP Chuck
BP Chuck
Hi!
I did get my license while living in France and did take a course at a schoole. I found it quite valuable though it *does* sound like overkill. A couple things:
1) The written test is not just multiple choice but can be a, b, c, d, a+b, a+c, b+d, etc. . The advantage of all the hours is that you essentially memorize the full test.
2) They provide a translator at the written exam for all the people
3) At the driver's test, they provide a translator in the car
4) During the practicing for the driver's test, they give you all the hints about where the inspector may try to catch you. In fact, when they did the translation they threw in some extra details that wasn't in the original French.
5) It helps you learn French
6) You meet some nice people
7) The license is good for life!
I went to this school
Fehrenbach International Driving School
53, boulevard Henri-Sellier
92150 Suresnes
01 45 06 31 17
01 47 28 81 89
fehrenbachinternationaldrivingschool@wanadoo.fr
My company paid for it so the cost didn't bother me.
Cheers
Bill
I did get my license while living in France and did take a course at a schoole. I found it quite valuable though it *does* sound like overkill. A couple things:
1) The written test is not just multiple choice but can be a, b, c, d, a+b, a+c, b+d, etc. . The advantage of all the hours is that you essentially memorize the full test.
2) They provide a translator at the written exam for all the people
3) At the driver's test, they provide a translator in the car
4) During the practicing for the driver's test, they give you all the hints about where the inspector may try to catch you. In fact, when they did the translation they threw in some extra details that wasn't in the original French.
5) It helps you learn French
6) You meet some nice people
7) The license is good for life!
I went to this school
Fehrenbach International Driving School
53, boulevard Henri-Sellier
92150 Suresnes
01 45 06 31 17
01 47 28 81 89
fehrenbachinternationaldrivingschool@wanadoo.fr
My company paid for it so the cost didn't bother me.
Cheers
Bill
QUOTE (MorganB @ Mar 4 2005, 12:41 PM)
The problem is all the drivers schools try to make you take the full 20 hours.
Morgan,
I'd check out different auto-écoles. Forget about the ones which want you to take 20 lessons.
It's just not fair. Maybe, some other board, with more expats in Paris, can make you some good suggestions on where to go.
PS: I hope your French is good enough for the written test. When I did it, it was the multiple choice style with 4 options for each question. Two options were usually out, but the two others could be tricky, when you weren't really sure.
Yikes Ursula! I hadnt seen the message as I only check that address once a week. Thanks for the info. What a nightmare. Here in France it's 600 euros for all the lessons and costs related to getting the license. However, i think I am only required to pass the test written and driving test. I would probably take the classes for the written part but I dont need 20 hours of driving. Maybe I would take 3 or 4 hours just to make sure I am not missing something. The problem is all the drivers schools try to make you take the full 20 hours. We will see but I do need to get moving on it! ICK!
Morgan,
I hope my friend's story, I had e-mailed you, didn't make you lose all the courage.
I think, her first mistake was, that she had been waiting too long - as she said, BTW.
Keep us informed, please.
Good luck.
I hope my friend's story, I had e-mailed you, didn't make you lose all the courage.
I think, her first mistake was, that she had been waiting too long - as she said, BTW.
Keep us informed, please.
Good luck.
It is much easier as it used to be. Many years ago several European countries did test you also on the "mechanics" of an automobile. You had to know how a car operates, and fix smaller problems, and even change a tire.
BP Chuck
BP Chuck
Ursula, thank you for the website. I will start at the prefecture as you suggested. I am going to try to see if they will exchange my US DL first. Who knows, I might get lucky but I doubt it. I just want to go through the pain of lessons and of course the $$$ involved.
Thanks for your replies BP Chuck and Oursdor. I should have been a little more specific in my post. I am actually a resident of France. I have had my resident card for almost one year. At the end of one year our US drivers liscense is considered invalid by the French Gov and you have to get a French one. There are about 8 US states that have an agreement with France where you just go to the prefecture and exchange your US liscense for a French one. Mine isnt one of them. I am sure I could rent cars without a problem although technically my DL would not be valid and if i had an accident that could cause problems.
I've actually driven alot in France so I am not worried about passing the permit. I've even driven the Etoile a few times! Surprisingly not as scary as it looks.
Thanks for your replies BP Chuck and Oursdor. I should have been a little more specific in my post. I am actually a resident of France. I have had my resident card for almost one year. At the end of one year our US drivers liscense is considered invalid by the French Gov and you have to get a French one. There are about 8 US states that have an agreement with France where you just go to the prefecture and exchange your US liscense for a French one. Mine isnt one of them. I am sure I could rent cars without a problem although technically my DL would not be valid and if i had an accident that could cause problems.
I've actually driven alot in France so I am not worried about passing the permit. I've even driven the Etoile a few times! Surprisingly not as scary as it looks.
I agree with Chuck. I have never had problems using my California drivers license to rent cars in France, UK, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Austria, or Hungary. They usually make a photocopy of the license, and some even use the magnetic stripe on the back of the license. The French driving tests are more difficult than most American ones, and may require you to drive a manual shift. One thing that would terrify my wife is the part where they test you on your ability to navigate a large traffic circle. Plus, if you don't drive a lot, you don't need to know some of the more funky, ideosyncric rules the French have
QUOTE (MorganB @ Mar 1 2005, 07:46 PM)
I debated on putting this topic under "driving in France" or "living and working in France". Feel free to move it if need be. If there is another topic on this already, i didnt manage to find it.
Has anyone gone through the process of getting a drivers license in France? I will have to get one soon and my state does not have an agreement with France for exchange. Of course the auto school that i went to tells me i have to take 20 hours of driving and they have a flat rate of 600 euros for the whole deal. However I have read on non official sites that you dont have to do the driving part at all if you have a foreign license. That would of course be alot cheaper but I suspect the auto schools will try to strong arm you into the lessons. Has anyone tried to exchange a license that is not on the list of states and managed to get it done anyway?
Any info or links would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
Morgan
Has anyone gone through the process of getting a drivers license in France? I will have to get one soon and my state does not have an agreement with France for exchange. Of course the auto school that i went to tells me i have to take 20 hours of driving and they have a flat rate of 600 euros for the whole deal. However I have read on non official sites that you dont have to do the driving part at all if you have a foreign license. That would of course be alot cheaper but I suspect the auto schools will try to strong arm you into the lessons. Has anyone tried to exchange a license that is not on the list of states and managed to get it done anyway?
Any info or links would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
Morgan
Why not renew your drivers licence before you leave. I never new anyone who had problem driving with a drivers licence issued by one of the 50 states of the US. If you want and have the renewed drivers licence, you can also go to the AAA and get for a few $$$ an "International Drivers Licence". This alone may not be acceptable but in combination with any US state drivers licence is allways accepted to my kowledge. And as Ursula said, to get a French licence is sort of a pain in...., Also I am not shure if you are entitled to one as you are not a resident(?)
BP Chuck
Morgan,
I believe, you need to start with the Préfécture de Police. Expect it to be pretty much a drag and a lot of paper work. I have an American friend who went through that in Munich. Must have been a pure nightmare. She had to take driving lessons again and had to pass a written and a practical test. Can't believe, it's easier in France vs. Germany though. Think French bureaucracy vs. German efficiency.
However, I believe, if she had applied for it right after her arrival, it would have been a lot easier than after some four years she's been waiting to go for it.
Bonne chance!
Here's a web site that may be helpful.
http://www.code-route.com/echange_en.htm
BTW, I did my driver's licence IN Paris and had to go through that, once back in Switzerland. That was a pretty smooth thing, probably because I am a Swiss citizen.
I believe, you need to start with the Préfécture de Police. Expect it to be pretty much a drag and a lot of paper work. I have an American friend who went through that in Munich. Must have been a pure nightmare. She had to take driving lessons again and had to pass a written and a practical test. Can't believe, it's easier in France vs. Germany though. Think French bureaucracy vs. German efficiency.
However, I believe, if she had applied for it right after her arrival, it would have been a lot easier than after some four years she's been waiting to go for it.
Bonne chance!
Here's a web site that may be helpful.
http://www.code-route.com/echange_en.htm
BTW, I did my driver's licence IN Paris and had to go through that, once back in Switzerland. That was a pretty smooth thing, probably because I am a Swiss citizen.
I debated on putting this topic under "driving in France" or "living and working in France". Feel free to move it if need be. If there is another topic on this already, i didnt manage to find it.
Has anyone gone through the process of getting a drivers license in France? I will have to get one soon and my state does not have an agreement with France for exchange. Of course the auto school that i went to tells me i have to take 20 hours of driving and they have a flat rate of 600 euros for the whole deal. However I have read on non official sites that you dont have to do the driving part at all if you have a foreign license. That would of course be alot cheaper but I suspect the auto schools will try to strong arm you into the lessons. Has anyone tried to exchange a license that is not on the list of states and managed to get it done anyway?
Any info or links would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
Morgan
Has anyone gone through the process of getting a drivers license in France? I will have to get one soon and my state does not have an agreement with France for exchange. Of course the auto school that i went to tells me i have to take 20 hours of driving and they have a flat rate of 600 euros for the whole deal. However I have read on non official sites that you dont have to do the driving part at all if you have a foreign license. That would of course be alot cheaper but I suspect the auto schools will try to strong arm you into the lessons. Has anyone tried to exchange a license that is not on the list of states and managed to get it done anyway?
Any info or links would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
Morgan