14 Smart Ways To Spend Your Extra French Driving License Budget
How to Get a French Driving License Before you can drive in France it is essential to be aware of the driving regulations. Also, you should be aware of the requirements for a licence. It can take anything from a few weeks to several months to get your French driving licence. It is a pink credit-card format that is valid for 15 years. Rules of the road With its stunning countryside and vibrant cities, France is a popular destination for road trips. However, it is important to know the rules of the road to avoid getting into trouble with the police. You must always carry your driving licence and proof of insurance. A driving permit for international travel (IDP) is also an excellent idea to make it easier for you to travel. The traffic in France is slower and there are more pedestrians. It is therefore important to drive with caution and be on the lookout for drivers who turn left in front of you. It is also not recommended to drive after having consumed alcohol. If you're caught driving while impaired and are penalized up to 135 euros or lose points on your license. In France, it is illegal to use your mobile while driving. You can only make hands-free phone calls if using an integrated headset in your helmet. You may also be punished for talking or texting while driving if you are stopped by an officer of the police. Also, you must wear a seat belt in both the back and front seats. If you have kids under the age of 10 in your vehicle, they must be seated in the back and secured with the use of a seat belt or an approved child seat. Additionally, you must carry a copy of your passport with you at all times. This is required by law and will be checked by the police if stopped for any reason. Another thing to keep in mind is that the speed limits on French roads differ by kind of road. Autoroutes, for example have a higher limit of speed than other roads. There are also tolls for driving on these roads that you can pay with cash or credit card. Prioritize a straight line is the most important rule to follow in France. This means that any vehicle coming from your right has priority. This rule applies even if the vehicle is joining a busy highway via a tiny village road. This is particularly important on country lanes that are narrow where cars frequently cross each other in the middle of the road. Passing the test After you have completed the written exam, it is time to take the driving test in the real world. This is a much more difficult portion of the test than the theory test, and you'll need to do a lot of practice before you pass it. You must find a driving instructor who will provide you with a variety of driving lessons prior to the test. Before you can drive in France, you should have at least third party liability insurance on your car. You can sign up for the exam by visiting the ANTS website and entering your NEPH number (your application number) and the photo ID. Contrary to American passport photos, French driving license photos must be in full-face color. If you're not a native speaker you can request the help of a translator to take your exam. You must request this at the very least two days prior to your test. You'll receive an CEPC (certificat exam de permis of driving) after you have passed the driving test. You'll need to present this to your local prefecture when you apply for the French license. Then, you'll be able start driving in France. If you fail your driving test, it will take between two and forty-five working days for you to retake the test. There's no limit on the number of times you may retake the driving test, but it's recommended to wait until you feel at ease enough to retake the test. A driver's license is essential for surviving life in France. If you're an expat and plans on living in France for more than a year, then you'll need to obtain a license before you can legally drive on France's roads. While some Americans opt to ignore this obligation and continue to drive with their US license after the one-year mark, this could result in serious accidents and fines. Fortunately, a few states have a reciprocal agreement with France. Kentucky, for example, permits its citizens to swap their U.S. drivers' licenses to French ones without undergoing the lengthy, lengthy procedure of passing a written exam and passing a driving test. Other Americans are required to jump through a lot of hoops just to obtain their French licenses. How do I obtain a license If you are an expat or a foreign national with an official driver's licence issued by a country with whom France has an agreement of reciprocity, you can exchange your licence to a French one without having to take the driving test. However, there are some guidelines you must know. Make sure you have a valid driver's license. Then, you'll have to complete a new application. The form is available online. Select the next step after selecting Renewal of Driver's License. Complete your information and select the reason why you require a license. If you're a licensed driver B, for instance you are able to drive vehicles that weigh up to 3,5 tons in weight and seat nine people or less. You can also tow a vehicle less than yours. The next step is to submit your application to the prefecture of your area. You need to fill in all the required information and attach copies of your identity documents. Include your passport or another photo ID as well as an address proof. If required, you will also need to provide a medical certification. The licences for the categories A and B are valid for 15 years. Those for the categories C, CE, DL, and D are valid for five years. In certain cases, it is possible to get an French license in a few months. This is particularly true for students from abroad who are studying at an French university. Students who aren't enrolled at a French university could be expected to wait much longer to be approved. Anyone who wants to learn how to drive in France should consider taking a driving course at a school that is able to teach English. The majority of schools in Paris offer courses in English however this is not the case everywhere. If you live outside the capital, you can contact your local prefecture to ask if a driving school offers lessons in English. Driving in France When driving in France, it is important to follow the rules of the road and adhere to the proper manners of conduct. A valid driver's license and third-party insurance for cars are required. Learning to drive with a professional driving instructor is a great method to master the rules and language of the road. It is also important to ensure that your vehicle has been properly maintained and fueled before your trip. Be aware of the different speeds on different types of French roads. In France traffic laws are rigorously enforced. The French utilize a points-based system to penalize traffic violations. New drivers start off with six points and must earn 12 points before their probationary period is over. If you receive a traffic ticket your points will be withdrawn and the fine will vary depending on the nature of the violation. The theory test is the initial step towards obtaining the French driving license. The test is comprised of 40 questions that cover the rules of the road and traffic safety. The second phase is the practical part of the exam. It requires at least twenty hours of accompanied driving under the supervision of an instructor. If you fail the practical part of the test, you will have to wait a year before taking the test again. For an French driving license you must be 18 years old and pass a medical test. For permis a – permis a2 who suffer from disabilities or health issues are required to take a special medical exam. If you are from a different country than the EU or EEA you will require an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your regular driving license. The IDP includes a driver's photograph and the translation in 12 languages of their driving licence. It is available at the airport, or from a car rental agency. Driving in France isn't easy, however you can drive legally with a foreign licence provided you have an IDP. It is essential to understand the driving rules and take some lessons before you try to drive on your own.