Driving licences between France and the UK

Driving licences
A French resident of the UK does not have to exchange a French driving licence for a British one, according to the consulate’s page. A British resident of France must exchange a UK licence issued after 1 January 2021 within 12 months of arriving, according to GOV.UK.

Two groups search for this, and the rules point in opposite directions. French citizens living in the UK can keep driving on their French licence; British citizens moving to France have a deadline to swap theirs.

French licence holders living in the UK

The consulate's driving licence page says that, to date, the British government treats the exchange of a French licence for a British one as optional for residents.

If you want to do it anyway, the exchange is made with the DVLA, which may ask for a statement of driving entitlement (ADCS, formerly RIR) from the French "Mes points permis" service.

If your French licence is lost or stolen while you live in the UK, you first declare the loss or theft at the consulate, with an ID and a copy of the licence if you have one.

You then fill in form D1 from a UK post office and send it to the DVLA as if you were exchanging the French licence; the DVLA posts a British licence within a few weeks.

Situation Rule Who handles it
French licence, living in the UK exchange optional DVLA
French licence lost or stolen in the UK declaration, then UK licence consulate, then DVLA
UK licence issued after 1 Jan 2021, living in France exchange within 12 months ANTS, online
UK licence issued before 2021, living in France exchange if expired or expiring within 12 months ANTS, online

UK licence holders moving to France

GOV.UK's Living in France guide says you can drive in France on a UK licence for short stays or as a student. Once resident, you must exchange a licence issued after 1 January 2021 within 12 months of arriving; one issued before that date must be exchanged if it has expired or will expire within the next 12 months.

Driving licences after a move: French licence, living in the UK; UK licence, living in France

The application is made online with ANTS, France's agency for secure documents.

French resident of the UK, licence still valid
Nothing to do. You may exchange it with the DVLA if you prefer a British licence.
French licence lost or stolen in the UK
Declaration at the consulate (London, or Edinburgh by appointment), then form D1 to the DVLA.
British resident in France
Exchange within the deadline through ANTS. Holidays and student stays need no exchange.
Moving back to France with a UK licence
If you first got your licence in France, the consulate’s page says you can ask to restore your French driving rights within a year of moving back.
For a lost French licence
  • Proof of identity
  • A copy of the licence, if you have one
  • The police receipt, if it was stolen
  • Form D1 from a post office, for the DVLA

The consulate records the loss of a licence as it does for a lost passport or ID card.

 A lost French licence is replaced by a British one through the DVLA, after a declaration at the consulate. 

Official sources: Permis de conduire; GOV.UK, Living in France.

All consular procedures
Requirements and fees

Details checked against the official pages on 10 November 2026.

This directory is run privately. frenchconsulates.co.uk does not belong to the Quai d’Orsay or to any consular office.

We publish what the official sources say and point out where they disagree. Before you go, check the detail with the consulate.

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