Converting French driving license
I have a Greek driving license and I want to convert it to French one. Can I request an exchange of my Greek licence even if it’s not close to expiring? Between do I need to translate my license in French since they are in Greek? Do I just find a certificated translator online or it must be sworn translator? Thanks
What? I have done my research and I found contradictory answers so I come here to ask.
I have already read the government website, it doesn’t mention can I exchange it even it’s not expiring soon, don’t be a jerk.
I’m no expert but the rules for exchanging EU licences are clearly set out on the service-public site.
I don’t know what nationality you are but I’m guessing it’s the fact your licence is Greek - and not your nationality- that counts when initially determining what the correct procedure is (so in the website just keep opting for “Vous êtes européen”).
Note that if you’re not Greek, you’ll have to provide proof you were resident in Greece when the Greek licence was issued.
When it comes to doing the actual application to exchange on the ANTS site, I imagine you would begin by choosing the appropriate option for your nationality (eg British) and just be prepared to provide all the above paperwork once they see that your licence is Greek. Hopefully others will contradict me if this is wrong.
John, I adore you. You make me look like Mother Teresa.
If you are having difficulties with understanding the French language on the government site and/or accessing ANTS you can use France Services.
You will find they offer a personal service as well as online.
Working through the exchange procedure might well be easier face to face and they will be able to answer all and any of your questions.
Best of luck
My question is can I still convert the license if my license is not expiring soon or lost/stolen? For some reason I need the French license.
If you’ve been in France more than 6 months, it would seem you MUST exchange your Greek licence, whether it’s expiring or not. And you need to do it before the 18-month mark.
If you’re asking CAN you exchange it BEFORE spending 6 months in France, I suspect the answer is “No”. Why don’t you just call ANTS and ask? They have humans who answer the phone.
I changed my Finnish driving licence to French about 2 years before it expired. No problem.
My understanding is that there is no obligation to change a licence from an EU country to French, even if you’re permanently living in France.
Unless you have points.
Ah yes, if you get speeding fine, for example. Which did happen to me (twice the same day), but they forgot tick the box for points reduction. 
That’s interesting. In that case the info on the service-public site (see screenshots above) is misleading. Not surprised the OP’s Bob is discombulated.
If I recall correctly, t’s quite clearly advised to whomever is involved..
If one is guilty of an infringement which “touches” the Permit… then the foreign permit should be changed to French (with all the necessary hassle or easy peasy depending..)
That answers the OP’s main question then: yes, they can apply now to swap.
I can only imagine trying to prove that one was resident in another EU country more than 30 years ago when one’s driving licence was obtained in that country…no wonder French bureaucracy has a reputation for being kafkaesque !
Indeed. But I promised I wouldn’t whine about French administration any more so I better keep quiet.
The answer is generally not unless you meet the criteria for obligatory changes.
Your licence is legal and valid therefore there is no need to change until about a year before it expires.
As Greece is in the EU there is no need for translations, your licence sits on the EU RESPER database so France have sight of it.
Unless urgent the advice is to wait.
There is no 6 month requirement that you must exchange any licence.
If you hold EU citizenship of any sort, not French, you have to live in France for 6 months before you can exchange and if it’s an EU licence there is no requirement until about 12 months before the licence expires.
Indeed. I don’t know how the service-public site came up with that nonsense about having to exchange EU licences before the 18-month mark.
Thank God you’re here to keep us straight!
