The problem is that French do *not* recognise standards, even European ones.
John, by the same thinking, a mechanic can go from one country to another, and suddenly decide he is fit to work as a dentist??? I doubt it. right to work, yes, but your credentials must be accepted in the country in which you wish to reside. This was not the case here. Not everything falls under european directive. I's not as simple as scuba diving where there are governing bodies OUTSIDE of the political realm.
The medical depends on your age, once you are over 45 then you have to have a medical to keep the 'extra' bits on your licence. I finally swapped mine over as the photocard had expired but had the medical (which was due anyway) to keep my bus licence, large vans and towing etc. I duly handed everything over, including my FCOS certification (specialist compulsory bus update required in France) which I had done, then the prefecture sent me a new licence but restricted my bus permit to a beginner permit restricting me to only driving within 50km of my home. On trying to query this - oh dear, never mind, can't change it now and this was with the French qualification! Definitely depends on the prefecture.
As i have said Zoe if its British it should be recognised by the EU there should be no argument no obstacles we are in the EU at this moment the right to travel the right to work the right to health care unless of course some office official decides to have a difficult day
I think it depends on the prefecture - I kept the lot (including the paper part as no one asked for it...) with no medical asked for.
The recognition of UK licences seems to be dependent on passing the medical examination, if your photo card has expired - my partner lost the right to drive heavier vehicles (vans, trailers, etc) and minibuses because the GP said that her eyesight wasn't up to the job, even with corrected vision - et hop ! two categories withdrawn !
I swopped mine (British) EU one with no probs! Like you say, everyone has a different story to tell! x
:-D
Fair Dinkum I say! In Australia the only things to look out for when driving are kangaroos. Here we have to contend with French drivers & therefor a much higher standard of driving is required ;-)
Fobbing me off by using the "Europe" card doesn't work, John, are his qualifications a European standard?? or just a british standard with certain other countries recognizing it.
Me To. The last medical I had the doctor took my BP, gave me a sight test & asked me to stand on tip toes with eyes closed whilst humming La Marseillaise. After he had passed me fit I asked him why I should hum a tune. He replied with a grin:- " no medical reason. I just wondered if you knew the French National Anthem." Great guy with a wicked sense of humour. I'm going back to him when another medical is needed :-)
perhaps, but sayn for a second, that it wasn't an EU seal on your document, as I had an Australian licence, and so, it was not recognised here. The ski instructor's documentation is the same... it doesn't seem to be officially recognised in Europe.
me too, had to go and have a medical to do so and will have to redo that every few years ;-)
When I changed my UK licence for a French one I asked for & got every category I was entitled to in the UK :- A,B,C,D & E all categories. Somebody I know didn't insist on their motorbike permit being included & lost it with no apparent appeal as it wasn't included on the first French licence.
Unfortunately not, Catharine. I have a German EU licence, yet if I exchange that for a French EU licence, I will lose the right to drive certain categories of vehicles. The Prefecture even told me that it might be worth my while not bothering, but let's not go there, each one has a different story to tell :)
Maybe life was a bit simpler in those days. You just had to watch out for the enemy!
Tim, travel a bit, the UK is the odd one out in the EU - most other countries work the same as France ;-)
Tim. Any chance you could translate your above post for me 'cos try as I may, I can't understand what you are saying?
Quite. Any any French moving to the UK won't have access to the NHS and have to supplied certified translations of their birth certificates (long form) and must pay for any treatment for 18 months whilst they are mucked about by the local health authority.
Oh yeah! & if it was in French imagine the confusion of ATC trying to tell someone a plane is above or below them. After 12 years here I still have trouble with that one without hand signals:-)