Letters: Readers share their experiences of taking the French driving test

To the Editor,

I had a New South Wales (NSW) Australian driving licence, which I was not able to swap for a French permis de conduire when I came to live permanently in France.

In early 2023 I decided to study for the French driving exams using various Code de la route books, in which I found the photographs too small and often of poor quality. 

I subsequently found one that was supplied with a DVD so I could display the images on my computer – a vast improvement!

I then read that Sécurité routière had issued a new bank of 120 possible questions together with new photographs and videos. 

Rather than buy more books and DVDs to study these new questions, I thought I would just pay the €30 and try the Code de la route exam. I passed on my first attempt.

Living in Paris, I decided it would be best to arrange the practical exam via a driving school.

Although I can get by in French, I fortunately found a school that had English-speaking instructors and would propose me for the practical exam after only four two-hour training sessions if they felt I met an acceptable standard.

Although I am a reasonably experienced driver, the training sessions were useful to learn many little tips for which the examiners look.

In fact, because my practical exam was not scheduled until several months later, I took a two-hour additional training session to refresh my memory and give me some actual driving practice just before the exam.

I managed to pass with only a few minor faults. Perhaps I had some luck, but I obtained my permis de conduire just before my NSW licence expired!

David Young, by email

Read more: Foreign drivers in France: three ways that new licence rules could impact you

To the Editor,

For me it was an infuriating experience. 

Driving schools in France are a real racket. Even though I officially only needed one driving lesson before taking my driving test, one has to take the test in a dual-control car which only the driving schools have. 

The teachers – I tried several – kept telling me I was not ready and needed more lessons, at roughly €50 a pop! I was about 65 at the time and had been driving for roughly 50 years.

Getting a French licence was stressful, time-consuming and cost me well over €500 in the end, whereas friends with licences from US states with reciprocal agreements (mine was from New York State, which has not) were just able to swap theirs for French ones.

Catherine Stock, by email

Read more: New roadside boxes puzzle drivers in south-west France: what are they?

To the Editor,

I just read the article about taking a French driving test to avoid giving up a British licence.

When I needed to get a French licence I simply told the DVLA I had lost my licence and they sent me a replacement. 

Problem solved! This was in the 1980s so may not work now.

Jenny Newton, by email

Do you have a French driving licence? How difficult were the tests compared to those in your home country? Let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com