Hello! The frist things I did went we came to France in 1989 was go to the sous-perfecture of Castres to switch my Americain Drivers licence for a french one. I was told that the state of CT was not on their list of changeable licences. New York was and other States but not mine, of course. And that I would have to take auto ecole and do the whole test.$$$$$$$$$$$
Recently I found out that CT was finally on their list. So off I went to the sous perfecture. They told me that yes indeed they accepted CT licences. So all happy I hand ovezr my licence and they said "But Madame you had to do this in your frist three months of living in France". I explained to them that thier list did not accept CT licences at the time. But this is what I was told "Sorry we can't do anything about that. You will have to go do the whole auto ecole thing and all the tests.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I told them that I thought this was all for the money. That I had been driving since I got my licence at the age of 16. But to no avail. I am 53 with no licence. Not fair.
Does anyone have any suggestions or know something that I may not know? Thanks.
You crack me up, good to know about all you wrote.
Say, do you know of a site where I can read about the traffic laws in France? My French hubby and I are going for a visit, (FYI, I've visited France about 10 times, now and use to live/drive in Italy, and been driving in L.A. for 37 years) just to say that I have experience. I would love it in English even though I speak French, it is so important to not misunderstand anything.
This is GREAT advice for me, Stacy. I am a Los Angeles native, married to a French man, (who's lived here in L.A. for 31 years), we've been together for over 10 years. One day within the next 5 years, (I hope), we'll be moving to France where he has ALL his family. We will be visiting in the fall and so I got an international DL from the Auto Club: AAA. It is good for a year from the date you specify. I thought it a good idea, since my hubby Vincent's parents are up there in age and don't want to HAVE to depend on them if we want to go into Montélimar, about 15 minutes away from their house. I thought it would be a good idea to get use to driving over there too before we move there. I have driven in Italy when I lived there for about 3 years in the mid-80's, and I've been driving in and around L.A. for 37 years. I've even driven around French visitors in L.A. who commented that I was a very good driver, (high praise from a European), so I'm confident about my skills.
I was thinking I would have to take the full course in France when we finally move over there so THANK YOU SO MUCH for letting me know all that info! So happy about that, and also how it was to have a few hours in the autoecole.
BTW, do you know of a website where I might get myself familiar with the driving laws in France. I'd like to study that before getting behind the wheel over there, LOL, ya think? It would be great if they have one where they have it in English too, for even though my French is fluent, this is important stuff that I don't want to misunderstand. If not, I can always ask my hubby.
Good that you know now what ABS is Catherine but your 2CV definitely doesn’t have it and I doubt that your Renault 11 has it either so don’t blithely hammer the brakes in wet or slippery weather just yet :-)
You have to go in with ammo. I went in with a copy of a decree the govt in France had circulated to offices to PROVE my NZ rights because in most cases, they (fonctionaires) don't know what they are doing and are not accountable for that. I still had to wait 6 months for something that should have taken a few weeks (fonctionaires re my license again) and have had plenty of other reasons to detest their lack of customer service.
If you can find anything supportive of your case that has an official French govt logo on it it's surprising what can be done. Transfer the fear onto them, I'd say, because yes, it depends on the officious persons.
I have a friend from New Zealand here who pretty much went through what I have had to go through. I guess it depends on the officials one has to deal with.
I don't understand why France is so unreasonable and bloody-minded about US driver licenses. I feel so grateful that for one thing here, being a Kiwi has worked in my favour. I was only without a license for 6 months and then never had to sit any exams. I can't understand the inconsistency in this global world.
I have been driving for 45 years! I first learned in the US with an automatic car, and then one day my Dad bought me a Mini in South Africa where I was a student and my Dad didn't like the idea of my having to hitchhike to classes every day. In Johannesburg, a hilly city, my Dad just said, "Here's the clutch and here's first, second, third, fourth and fifth gears. And here's reverse. See you later," and he left me to negotiate my way home! It's not that difficult to learn stick shift, though perhaps that's not the best way to learn. (My Dad also "taught" me to swim by throwing me in the deep end of a swimming pool.)
Anyway, you're jolly lucky to have found some way of being sponsored. I would just go ahead and do a few lessons and get it over with.
You HAVE to pass the Code de la Route test, which you can do as a candidat libre without going through a driving school. I studied for it by buying a book at my local librarie which had a CD of tests (updated every year and rules change so buy the most recent rather than get it out the library), and also subscribed to a site on the Internet called CodeClic which was very helpful. There are trick questions so you need to study for this test. I also learned quite a lot of good stuff. I have a 1978 Deux Chevaux and a 1985 Renault 11 I had no idea what ABS and fog lights were for example.
But the practical driving test in a dual control car is also compulsory, and the ONLY place you can get this car is through a driving school. The driving schools insist on a couple of hours of diving lessons- in my case six at 41 euros an hour- before they will give you access to one of their vehicles for the test, which will cost another 82 euros in my case.
I was supposed to take my driving exam on January 16th in Gramat, but it was cancelled due to the snow storm and I probably won't get another appt before March.
But at the end of the day, and quite a few temper tantrums on my part, you have to open your wallet and just go through the process. I started over two years ago, first having my NY driving license rejected, then being told I needed a Certificate of Authenticity for my South African one which took five months to get through the Embassy (my SA license was declared authentic but no longer valid as I had a NY license...)
It is a scam. There was even a program about it on French television a few months ago. But choose your poison. I prefer this kind of nonsense to living with the frighteningly armed population in the US.
International Driving Licence is still required some places. I needed it for Viet Nam and Kampuchea. Fortunately it was during our five years in Swansea so the DVLC was at hand. Even then it took the equivalent of a crowbar to open the official's mind to my application and seek out the form. He was convinced they no longer existed because he had not personally issued one for some years! Is it easy anywhere, that is the question.
I am sorry if it is complicated for you. I don’t have the answer of your question as I am just a frenchy living in the UK but as I know that my people are rude and arrogant sometimes I am happy to propose my help.
It is my punishment to be Frenc, let’s say
I am going to try my best to help you.
Good luck! bonne chance!
I keep you informed.
Yours sincerely,
Arnaud
Since most other countries (I think) give you points rather than deducting them and based on my limited experience of cross border cooperation the maths could be difficult Andrew. We could end up with bonus points :-)
Be careful Claire, an international driver's license isn't actually a license it is only an officially recognised translation of your license. The AAA (nor the AA nor RAC etc.) is not an recognised license issuing body.
It likes the agency I used in Toulouse (Win Driver) has shut down due to new regulations regarding French licenses. The auto ecoles have no doubt lobbied to have everyone go through them instead of renting a car on their own. Looks like the only agency in France that rents them is in Paris. Sorry.....
