On a lighter note, and I agree with your intention, but I had to giggle at that sentence. ‘Blessed’ was the nearest thing my Grandma came to swearing, it was her replacement for ‘bloody’ or worse in modern parlance, indeed quite the opposite of what you mean. 
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If you had a french licence and lost it then yes that would be right, but if you have a non-french licence then no you get nothing to drive with until you are asked to submit your actual licence.
I don’t know, many people would describe me as that .. 
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i’d lost my UK licence, so had to convert to French and i downloaded an attestation cover up to a year i think for the French licence
That was a long time ago, you no longer get an attestation for a year for anything. If you lose a non-French licence you get nothing until you receive your French licence.
Hi all, a little update..
I finally had my meeting with France services this morning, the lady was very understanding, she called Ants for me (via a direct line for France services) and the guy said there’s nothing that can be done I just have to wait ! He said be careful though because it is technically an offence but depends on the gendarme that that stops me.
I have kids and work so I don’t have much choice but hope that I’m not stopped…
It’s not a full-on crime, just a €135 fine. Still not to be welcomed of course, but you won’t end up in mire.
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It,s a really poor system here in France for all things licence or vehicle related.Since they moved it all online it has been terrible,they weren,t anywhere near ready for it here.I used to think the DVLA were a bit slow sometimes,not now,i think the DVLA are streets ahead of ANTS.
I suggest you go to your local gendarmarie and ask them. Take your application acknowledgement with you and ask can you continue to drive as your licence is still valid, see column 11 on the back. I’ve yet to find someone in 9 years say no it isn’t.
Your licence is NOT invalid only your picture has expired. The problem is that the people on the phone lines don’t understand the nuances, they are told that an expired card non-French and French means the licence is invalid, it’s not.
The only one you need to check with is your insurance is happy with an expired card.
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The DVLA used to be terrible also. However, if you have a French licence and you are applying for a renewal you will generally get the text that your new licence will be with you within 15 day abo24 hour after you submit your renewal so no the DVLA is not better or worse than the French at renewals.