top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

UK-France driving licence deal expected ‘very soon’ - French official

The British Embassy states it is waiting for the French to ‘implement legal changes’ before the final arrangements can be revealed

A Franco-British deal on post-Brexit arrangements for people in France who drive on UK licences should be imminent, says France’s Interior Ministry.

“The post-Brexit negotiations on UK licences should come to a positive conclusion very soon,” a spokesman for the Interior Ministry’s road safety section has told The Connexion.

It comes as British Ambassador to France Ed Llewellyn told readers in his June Connexion edition column: “I know the issue of driving licences is a source of concern and frustration. Implementing legal changes on the French side is taking longer than we had hoped, which is why we have not yet been able to publish details of new arrangements.

“We are pressing the French authorities for a rapid response. I have raised the issue in the last few days again with the Ministry of the Interior and the Prime Minister’s office, stressing the real difficulties that this matter is causing.”

At present there are no arrangements for drivers using UK licences in France to exchange their licences for French ones. It means those with UK licences that have already expired are now unable to drive legally as they cannot renew their UK licence to a French address.

Those with valid UK licences may under current rules use them until the end of 2021, or for one year from arrival for newcomers to France.

In the absence of a reciprocal deal, or a new unilateral French decree on UK licences, drivers using these licences would have to take a French driving test.

A UK-France deal is expected to include, as a minimum, confirmation that those holding valid UK licences may apply to exchange them for a French licence. 

An agreement that those already driving on valid UK licences may continue to do so is also a possibility as this has been agreed by the UK with some other EU states.

It is not known how the problem of expired licences will be addressed. 

The UK now has reciprocal agreements on driving licences in place with all EU countries apart from France, Spain and Italy. A spokesman for its Department for Transport previously told The Connexion the DFT spoke to all EU states last year in hopes of agreements being in place by January 1.

However a senior French official told The Connexion in January it was not possible to start such talks before full Brexit while the future relationship of the UK and EU was unclear, however the official said they expected that the issues would be resolved in the first half of this year.

In a poll in May 70 Connexion readers said they now cannot drive legally in France due to their UK licences having expired.

Previous articles

France-UK driving licence issue may force me to move, says diabetic 

French lawyer: Deal not essential for UK driving licence swap 

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France