I do actually feel slightly better, thank you. 
Hi Kim. I am in Minnesota and hold a MN license. I am a dual citizen (France/USA), bilingual and have both passports. I have driven rental cars in France several times. I wonder who could be contacted in the state of Minnesota to ask about adding the state to the reciprocal list. It’s kind of ridiculous that it seems as if the 18 states were haphazardly chosen and others were left out. We all follow the same driving rules here, so if one state can be allowed to exchange their licenses in France, why can’t all states? Who is in charge of making this reciprocal process a reality for different states? Thanks.
My understanding of the situation is quite different. I thought that the states which issued the licences that are allowed to be exchanged for a permis de conduire were those deemed to have a driving test of a similar rigorous as the test in France. The example given to me was that a California driving licence was too easy to get and it was no proof of the holder’s ability to meet the required standard.
That can’t be it. I came from Florida and (it has been 50 years since I took the test), it is a joke. My daughter got her license a few years ago (I taught her!) and she passed, no problem. The written test is far less challenging and the driving test is a breeze. I don’t even think parallel parking is examined. I don’t think any other state is much different- nothing like France or most EU countries.
I heard the same thing from two different Americans resident in France. Their explanation made it easy to understand why the distinction exists.
Hello Alecross
It will be your DMV/Governors dept and the Ministère de l’intérieur here.
There have been campaigns for other states for years which don’t appear to have moved any further, no one has the interest in it other than those holding a non-reciprocal licence.
Have you considered moving to a reciprocal state for a short time to exchange your licence?
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Well, if that’s the case then “snow” states should be at the top as we can drive in snow, ice, sleet, blizzards and not get stuck in snow.
I can’t move elsewhere as my job is in MN and right when I retire I will move to France (2 years).
I don’t think it comes down to like for like tests as the exchange process is one the hardest I’ve come across.
However, having said that, not all reciprocal states have the same agreements, not all of them exchange all categories and some can only exchange a B category, so there must be some sort of criteria for reciprocation.
And not all states are interested in the admin or so it seems.
Yes, the key word here is “reciprocal”. A group of us who moved here from a non-reciprocal state spent a lot of time talking to the guy at the DMV who would have facilitated the agreement. He told us that if France was interested, he would help make it happen, but since there were not enough French people in our state, France didn’t really care. He was not going to make the first move; France didn’t either, so here we are. If there are a lot of French people in Minnesota, it might be worth trying to see if anyone besides you is interested.
Then unfortunately you will be looking at the two part test here as I think it’s unlikely you will get your state on the reciprocal list in 2 years.
Thanks, Kim, I may choose not to have a car there at all. Being French I know what it’s like there and how, sometimes, things just don’t make sense.
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I know nothing about the reciprocity or otherwise of US States but wondered if those who don’t have it have an easier time to countries like Ireland and the UK.
As I understand that swaps are still possible between those 2 and France, are they(?), how are the exchanges between US States and them? Maybe the immigration from the US is difficult, I don’t know, but if not would that not be a way to go rather than changing states in the USA?
I can’t comment on Ireland but these are the only licences that the UK exchanges so even worse for any US licence.
Oh well, thanks @kim, worth a try. How about Minnesota to Canada? 
How far away from the border are you @Alecross ? 
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It is certainly easier for an American to move to a reciprocal state than to immigrate to IE or UK first (unless he/she holds one of those passports). I think it is near impossible for anyone of retirement age to get into the UK (or Canada)- they don’t want to deal with end of life medical expenses.
I am in St Paul.
Perhaps a bit too much as a daily commute then.
Yes, too far! I do have friends in Ohio but I have no idea when I would stay with them. A few months may be too much for me and them. It would have to be after I retire and before I move to France. Could be a hassle and not worth it. I’m not afraid of the code and the conduite tests at all. I just don’t want to shell out that money.
Seems like a voiture sans permis (electrique?) might be the best option.
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