Are French driving licences valid for life?
Rules around renewing depend on which kind you have
Old-style pink card driving licences are valid until 2033
aurelie le moigne / Shutterstock
Many Connexion readers have expressed confusion about the validity of their French driving licences.
The rules around renewing them depend on which kind of licence you have.
The old-style pink card driving licences are valid until January 19, 2033 but can be replaced earlier if they are damaged, lost or stolen.
Plastic licences, which have been issued since 2013, must be renewed every 15 years.
You can find the expiry date on the card.
The renewal process is simple, and does not involve any medical checks.
Drivers just need to update the photo and, if necessary, the home address.
Licence renewals can be done online via the website of the Agence nationale des titres sécurisés (ANTS).
If you have a medical condition, you may be required to renew your licence more often.
If you develop a condition that could affect your ability to drive, you must declare this, and may have to have a medical examination to keep your licence.
French driving licences can include extra information on the back, for example if the driver needs to wear glasses or hearing aids when driving.
Those caught not wearing them can face fines, loss of driving licence points, and complications with insurance in case of an accident.
Changes to come for driving licences?
A bill tabled in April 2025 would make medical checkups compulsory for drivers every five years over the age of 70, and every 15 years for under 70s.
A doctor would test for cognitive and physical health, and issue a certificate confirming the person is fit to drive.
The bill says visual and hearing problems, and chronic illnesses, can worsen with age.
Supporters say it will make the roads safer and put France in line with 14 other European countries that require medical assessments for driving.
The French bill comes amid wider EU changes; the European Parliament and member states agreed to change driving licence regulation in March 2025.
Medical examinations, including the testing of eyesight and cardiovascular health, will now be required before obtaining a licence from 2030.
However, each EU member state will be able to decide whether they would prefer to substitute a medical examination with a driver self-assessment.
