driver's license
France
EU citizens driver's licenses are valid here.
Non-EU citizens may stay for 3 months without exchanging their drivers license. However, it is highly recommended to obtain an International Drivers License.
Non-EU citizens have 1 year to exchange your driving license. Depending on agreements between your country (or US state) and France, your current license may have to be surrendered. Check the French Embassy site for requirements. AngloInfo lists steps to follow in English on how to exchanging your Non-EU driving license.
Instructions for obtaining a French drivers license - Pays de Gex
The closest place to apply is at the Sous-Préfecture located at 26 rue Charles Harent, Gex. Tel : +33 450 41 51 51. Opening hours: Monday & Tuesday 8:45 - 11:45, closed Wednesday, Thursday 8:45 - 11:45 and 13:30 - 16. Friday 9 - 14. You may download the form or fill it out at the Sous-Préfecture. It is in French.
The form asks for your name, address, place and date of birth, and nationality.
If you are a foreign national, you must also provide the number and origin of your residence permit.
The category of vehicle you wish to drive is: Voiture (car). You will need to apply for a Permit B.
Here is a list of things to bring with you:
Your current license is required to be translated by an officially approved translator, but we have found some of them do read licenses in English. Contact details of sworn translators (traducteur expert-juré) is available at the Mairie and Préfecture.
When a License Exchange is Not Permitted
If the license may not be exchanged, a full French theory and practical driving exam must be taken.
If you need to take a driving test to get your driver's license, this website has a driving study guide - in English.
Here you can test your knowledge online in French.
Check your “driving points"
Every time you get a driving ticket, you accumulate points which depend on the severity of the infraction. If you accumulate too many points you will lose your license. Interieur (in French) tells you where you stand vis-à-vis the cut-off point. To use this site you will need a security code.
EU citizens driver's licenses are valid here.
Non-EU citizens may stay for 3 months without exchanging their drivers license. However, it is highly recommended to obtain an International Drivers License.
Non-EU citizens have 1 year to exchange your driving license. Depending on agreements between your country (or US state) and France, your current license may have to be surrendered. Check the French Embassy site for requirements. AngloInfo lists steps to follow in English on how to exchanging your Non-EU driving license.
Instructions for obtaining a French drivers license - Pays de Gex
The closest place to apply is at the Sous-Préfecture located at 26 rue Charles Harent, Gex. Tel : +33 450 41 51 51. Opening hours: Monday & Tuesday 8:45 - 11:45, closed Wednesday, Thursday 8:45 - 11:45 and 13:30 - 16. Friday 9 - 14. You may download the form or fill it out at the Sous-Préfecture. It is in French.
The form asks for your name, address, place and date of birth, and nationality.
If you are a foreign national, you must also provide the number and origin of your residence permit.
The category of vehicle you wish to drive is: Voiture (car). You will need to apply for a Permit B.
Here is a list of things to bring with you:
- A valid, original drivers license and international license, if any;
- Photocopy of your residence permit;
- Proof of residency for 6 months: a utility and/or telephone bill works best;
- Two recent, identical, original passport photos of face, format 4 X 4 cm. Write your first and last name on the back;
- Two envelopes labeled with your name and home address:
1 with a stamp of 3.35 euro;
1 with a stamp of 0.48 euro.
Your current license is required to be translated by an officially approved translator, but we have found some of them do read licenses in English. Contact details of sworn translators (traducteur expert-juré) is available at the Mairie and Préfecture.
When a License Exchange is Not Permitted
If the license may not be exchanged, a full French theory and practical driving exam must be taken.
If you need to take a driving test to get your driver's license, this website has a driving study guide - in English.
Here you can test your knowledge online in French.
Check your “driving points"
Every time you get a driving ticket, you accumulate points which depend on the severity of the infraction. If you accumulate too many points you will lose your license. Interieur (in French) tells you where you stand vis-à-vis the cut-off point. To use this site you will need a security code.
Switzerland
You may obtain a drivers license at the Services des Automobiles, in Geneva located at Route de Veyrier 86, Carouge.
For the procedure and list of documents to take with you, click on Echange d'un permis de conduire étranger.
You may obtain a drivers license at the Services des Automobiles, in Geneva located at Route de Veyrier 86, Carouge.
For the procedure and list of documents to take with you, click on Echange d'un permis de conduire étranger.
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