French driving licences: how to check if you have any points

A website in France enables drivers to check if they have any points on their driving licence (and how many) and their licence status in relation to road safety courses and recovering lost points.

In France, a newly-qualified driver starts with six points on their licence, increasing to 12 (at the rate of two points per year if no infractions are committed). Drivers then lose points for driving infractions.

This is the opposite to countries including the UK where drivers receive points for infractions (with 12 being the maximum allowed before suspension).

How can I check how many points I have on my French licence?

If you are the holder of the licence, you can check the online service Mes Points Permis (formerly called Télépoints).

You will need a FranceConnect login to access the site. You can also log in using your ‘NEPH’ (numéro d'enregistrement préfectoral harmonisé), which is a number that is sent to you by post when you are issued with your licence.

It has five to 19 digits, and is also noted on your driving licence. It may also appear on your certificate of driving rights provided by ANTS, if you have your licence taken away.

Infractions can take several days to appear on the platform, so any very recently-docked points may not appear immediately. This is also the case if you are given back points after the completion of a road safety awareness course.

Read more: How can I check how many points I have on my French driving licence?

What other details does the Mes Points Permis website show?

Along with your points, the website also provides access to:

• A relevé d'information restreint (restricted information statement)

This document certifies the validity of your driving licence and specifies the categories of vehicle that can be driven by the person in possession of the type of licence, e.g. D, B, A, C, etc.

Insurance companies can request a copy of this document as can taxi driving companies (when employing staff). You may also be asked for it if civil liability is incurred following an accident.

• A relevé d'information intégral (full information statement)

Since March 15, 2024, it has been possible to consult your relevé d'information intégral. This document is a full list of all relevant information on a driver.

It lists all offences, and:

• The reason for the offence

• The date

• The place

• The amount of the fine

• The loss of points.

There is also information on:

• Any points recovery courses followed

• Any licence suspensions and cancellations

• Medical examinations carried out in connection with the licence

• The current number of points

How many licence points do you lose for a driving offence in France?

Of course, this depends on the nature of the infraction.

It can range from one to six points, not exceeding eight points at once if you are found to have committed multiple infractions at one time.

For example, when it comes to speeding:

• Speeding less than 20 km/h over the limit, overlapping a solid line: one point

• Speeding less than 30 km/h over the limit, acceleration of a driver who is overtaken: two points;

• Speeding less than 40 km/h over the limit, lack of a safe distance from a vehicle in front of you: three points.

• Speeding less than 50 km/h over the limit, refusal of priority: four points.

• Speeding more than 50 km/h over the limit, and/or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: six points.

The loss of points may not be the only punishment for an offence; some may also result in a fine, or even a prison sentence.

Can drivers in France get points back after they have been lost?

Yes, depending on the type of offence, any other infractions, and the time after the points were lost.

How long does it take to get points back on your licence after losing them?

• For a minor offence: A period of six months for one point.

• Class 2 or 3 offences: Two years.

• Class 4 and 5 offences: Three years.

During this time, you cannot commit any other infraction.

Points for offences from Class 1 to 4 are automatically recovered after 10 years if you do not have your licence suspended.

In some cases, you can avoid having your licence suspended if you take a road safety awareness course. These are two days long, and enable you to recover up to four points (not exceeding your driving licence total of 12). However, you can only take one course per year and you must pay for it yourself.

Once you have successfully completed the course, you will receive a certificate of participation. Once this is logged on your file, you will be notified by post that you have recovered your lost licence points.

Read also

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Can I renew expired UK driving licence from France?
Where can I find my French driving licence number?