Hi,
I’m working on getting a reciprocal driver’s license. That is, a driver’s license from the US, from Massachusetts, a state that France allows people with a driver’s license from that state to get a French driver’s license. My license has an allowance for driving a motorcycle, and I’m hoping that this allowance would also carry over onto the driver’s license I obtain in France. Does anyone know if this is the case?
Thanks.
Your French licence should cover you for all the categories that you are eligible to drive. It’s a big plus having a licence issued by a state accepted by France.
When I exchanged my UK licence I wanted to keep all the categories I had (not including motorbike) so had to have a medical. Not sure why and it was never adequately explained by the dragon, sorry fonctionnaire, at the Prefecture.
It was a simple blood pressure, eye test examination and the paperwork/writing the cheque took longer.
I have all my categories so I imagine you should be able to do the same.
I found this, it may help.
https://permis-moto.ooreka.fr/fiche/voir/143009/echanger-son-permis-moto-non-europeen-contre-un-permis-francais
Thanks for your responses regarding your experiences and suggestions!
It will probably take a while before I can register a vehicle in my name; I’ve been reading posts on SF and wading through the documentation about eligibility. I really appreciated the step-by-step process described in another post on SF. By the way, how do I put in a link to that post, as a reference? I feel a bit silly asking as I am usually pretty tech-savvy. Do I just copy and paste something into this post, to make it a link? Hope that makes sense…
Anyway. I will be sure to update with my progress on getting the France driver’s license. Also, I will keep you posted on progress toward eligibility for purchasing/leasing a car or motorcycle in France (but I figure this won’t happen until later on next year.) Hoping to find other ways to get groceries, in the meantime. Good opportunity to make friends with the neighbors, I guess! 
I can’t over-emphasize how helpful SF posters’ progress reports on stuff like this, has been. Cheers.
You’re very welcome Mary.
With regard to linking another post what I usually do (and there’s probably an easier way) is have this post open in one tab and then open SFN in another tab and find the post I want to link. Then I just copy and paste that link into this post. Not sure I’ve explained that properly or not.
If you can’t do it then just make a comment on the other post and it will come to the top of the list and I will do it for you if you want.
GD group4
Please amend your Registration to give Full Name as per our Terms and Conditions.
If you are not sure how to do this… simply put your Full Name on this thread and I will amend it for you…
Cheers
Think you might have the wrong thread Stella?!
xxx
No his comment was there.
He has left the building… and taken his posts with him…
Hi!
Just updating my experience with getting the license.
I’d submitted the paperwork successfully back last fall in person in Angouleme at the Préfecture office there. In preparation for submitting the application and documents, I’d had to have my US driver’s license translated into French, and obtain a history of my driving record with an attestation from the US registry of motor vehicles. I submitted these and some other documents including handing over my US drivers license (now, due to Covid19, the ANTS site states that one can do this application online, at: https://permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr/) .
I received an email on July 6 from the Centre d’expertise et de ressources pour les certificats d’échange de permis de conduire étrangers, Préfecture de Loire-Atlantique (www.loire-atlantique.gouv.fr), stating that my application had been received, all papers were in order, and I’d be receiving the license by the post which I’d need to sign for upon receipt. The email also included a NEPH which is a reference number if I wanted to contact ANTS in the meantime. I was also able to set up an ANTS account (which I’d tried to do back before March but hadn’t had success…).
I just received the license by mail, today. It states that I can drive: AM, A1, A2, B1, and B vehicles which are mopeds, small motorcycles, small trucks, and cars.
Here’s the rub: my US drivers license states that I can operate any size motorcycle. However, my France drivers license only states that I’m allowed to operate up to A2 level motorcycle: up to 40 BHP. That’s a shame, since I ride a Suzuki V-strom 650cc (70 BHP) nowadays. So…the French drivers license doesn’t allow me to ride the V-strom.
Hmmmm.
For now, until I (hopefully) get this updated to ‘A’ status for all sizes of motorcycles, I guess I’ll have to carry the US drivers license, the France drivers license, the translation of the US drivers license to French, and any documentation with ANTS about the process to obtain ‘A’ status.
That’s my story for now. I’ll update with any info that’s pertinent to this saga. Onward.
My word, Mary… thanks for the update… keep fighting the good fight… 
Hi,
In other threads, it’s been discussed about motorcycle licenses. @kim is so knowledgable. Thanks as always for the input and the expert advice she provides.
This update is a long time in coming, but I might have some information…
My personal situation: I’ve had my A2 motorcycle license (on my French driver’s license) for over 2 years now. My husband had arranged the bridage on my Suzuki V-Strom, years ago, and got the changes authorized so I am riding a legal motorcycle conforming to my A2 level.
This week, I found an auto/moto school nearby (actually, the problem was that over the past year or so I kept passing by when it was closed…) and I had a helpful discussion with the enseignant/owner of the auto/moto school.
The discussion was all in French. At this point my French language level is probably not quite B1 but much better than it was 2 years ago! I asked him if my level of french would be an impediment but he thought it would suffice. Fingers crossed!
The upshot: Whereas I’d thought it would cost over 1000 euros and require over 10 hours of course time, it turns out I was wrong. Due to having the A2 license for 2 years, the cost is 290 euros, for the 7 hours course.
I must provide:
2 ID photos (ANTS) e-signature
2 enveloppes (Format A5)
2 enveloppes (DL 11x22 cm)
5 Timbres-poste
1 photocopie recto-verso de la carte d’identite
1 photocopie d’un justificatif de domicile de moins de 5 mois (EDF, eau)
1 photocopie recto-verso du permis de conduire.
Each lesson will last a maximum of 2 hours, for a total of 7 hours. “7 heures de formation dont 2 heures theoriques et 5 heures pratiques.” During the practice lessons, I’m required to provide my own protective riding gear (of course).
It appears that I will ride one of the motorcycles supplied by the auto school, a Honda 750 perhaps.
So, I’m gathering all of the copies and photos, and in the next week I will submit and pay the registration fees for the course.
I can send an update, after I have finished the course.
For now, I’m pleased because it’s cheaper, and my french is much better so perhaps given my riding experience in France plus the improvement in speaking/understanding french, I have a good chance at success. And, if nothing else, I’ll be learning more about riding a motorcycle in France.
Something good to look forward to, in these days and times…
Cheers.
Well done Mary, I wish I had seen this sooner as if I understand you got A2 by exchange of your US licence, if yes, then if you had held your A (equivalent) licence for 2 years or more, you were eligible to do the 7 hour course as soon as you liked.
The requirement is that you’ve held A2 for more than 2 years, which the start date of A2 should attest to, therefore, making you eligible immediately that you get your French licence, not that you must hold a French licence for 2 years.
Anyhow, if you feel you’re more equipped to do the 7 hour course now then nothing lost.
Good luck with your A and lets us know how you get on.
Hi Kim,
Yes, it’s my confusion, that led me to wait so long… That, and my husband’s willingness to do the bridage.
Your explanation was clear, I recall having read your explanation about eligibility. I had held the A level equivalent license in the US for over 2 years, so I was eligible as you indicated.
I think it was just that I was a bit hesitant, a bit overwhelmed by the idea of trying to do a moto course with limited French language level… I may still be lacking in the latter, but it’s better.
I’ll send an update as/when. Thanks again!