How to get a driving licence in France

Understanding the French driving licence system

Getting a driving licence in France follows a clear, structured path that every learner goes through, whether you are a complete beginner or retaking your test after a setback. The standard licence for a car is called the permis B, and it allows you to drive vehicles up to 3,500 kg with up to nine seats including the driver. Before you start, it helps to understand how the whole process fits together so you know what to expect at each stage.

There are two main routes to obtaining your licence. The traditional route means you register with a driving school, prepare for the theory exam, then complete practical lessons before sitting the driving test. The accompanied driving route, known as conduite accompagnée or AAC, is open to learners from the age of 15 and lets you drive with a supervising adult for a set period before taking the test. This second option often builds confidence and experience over a longer stretch of time.

The process breaks down into two examinations. The first is the Code de la route, a theory test covering road rules, signs, safety and driving attitudes. The second is the practical driving test, where an examiner assesses how you handle a real vehicle in traffic. You must pass the theory exam before you are allowed to take the practical test. Understanding this order early on helps you plan your lessons and budget sensibly, rather than rushing one stage and falling behind on another.

Step 1: Registering and getting your NEPH number

Your first practical task is to register as a candidate, which generates your NEPH number. NEPH stands for Numéro d'Enregistrement Préparatoire à l'Examen, and it is a unique identifier that follows you throughout the entire licence process. Without it, you cannot book either the theory or the practical exam, so obtaining it is the true starting point of your journey.

Most learners register through a driving school, which handles the administrative steps on their behalf. If you prefer to manage things yourself, you can register independently through the official government online service. You will need to create an account, upload your identity documents, provide a photograph that meets the required standard, and confirm your eligibility. For a car licence, you must be at least 17 to take the practical test, or 15 to begin accompanied driving.

Once your application is processed, your NEPH number is issued and remains valid across your attempts. Keep it somewhere safe, because you will refer to it repeatedly. A practical tip: double-check that the personal details you enter match your identity documents exactly. A mismatch in a name or date of birth can delay your registration and push back the date you can start booking exams. Taking care at this stage saves frustration later.

Step 2: Preparing and passing the Code de la route theory exam

The Code de la route exam tests your knowledge of the rules of the road. It consists of 40 multiple-choice questions displayed as photos or short video clips, and you need at least 35 correct answers to pass. The questions cover a wide range of topics including road signs, priority rules, speed limits, safe following distances, first aid basics, eco-driving, and how alcohol and fatigue affect driving.

Preparation is where flexible study habits pay off. Many learners use online question banks and mobile apps to practise little and often, fitting revision around work or studies. Working through mock exams under timed conditions is one of the most effective ways to prepare, because it mirrors the pressure of the real test and highlights the topics you still find difficult. If you keep getting the same category of question wrong, focus your revision there rather than repeating what you already know.

To sit the exam, you book a slot at an approved test centre and pay the examination fee. On the day, bring valid photo identification and your registration details. The test is taken on a tablet, and you receive your result shortly afterwards. If you do not pass, you can rebook and try again after further preparation. Your theory pass remains valid for a set period and for a limited number of practical test attempts, so plan your practical lessons to make good use of that window.

Step 3: Completing your practical driving lessons

With your theory exam behind you, the focus shifts to practical skills. French regulations set a minimum of 20 hours of lessons with an approved instructor for the traditional route, though in reality most learners need more before they are ready for the test. The number of hours you require depends on your starting point, how frequently you practise, and how quickly you build confidence behind the wheel.

Lessons progress gradually. Early sessions typically take place in quiet areas where you get comfortable with the controls, clutch, gears, steering and mirror checks. As you improve, your instructor moves you into busier environments: roundabouts, junctions, dual carriageways, and manoeuvres such as parking and reversing. Throughout, the instructor assesses your ability to observe hazards, anticipate the actions of other road users, and make safe decisions independently.

Flexible scheduling makes a real difference here. Booking lessons at a steady, regular pace helps you retain skills between sessions, whereas long gaps often mean revisiting ground you had already covered. If you are on the accompanied driving route, you supplement professional lessons with supervised practice, which lets you accumulate varied experience across different conditions, times of day and weather. Keep a simple log of what you practised and where you felt less certain, so you and your instructor can target the areas that still need work before test day.

Step 4: Taking the practical driving test

The practical test lasts around 32 minutes and is conducted by a qualified examiner. During this time you drive in real traffic while demonstrating that you can control the vehicle safely and independently. The test includes a period of autonomous driving, where you follow directions towards a destination or a signposted route without step-by-step instructions, showing that you can navigate on your own.

The examiner assesses several areas: vehicle control, observation and awareness, adapting your speed to conditions, respect for road rules, courtesy towards other users, and eco-friendly driving. You will usually be asked a question about vehicle safety or first aid, and to perform at least one manoeuvre such as parking or a controlled stop. Scoring is based on a points system, and you need to reach the required total while avoiding any fault serious enough to fail automatically, such as an action that endangers others.

On the day, arrive early, bring your identification and any documents your driving school specifies, and take a moment to settle your nerves. Adjust your seat and mirrors carefully before setting off, as examiners notice these routine safety checks. If you make a small mistake mid-test, stay calm and keep driving well; one minor error rarely means failure. You receive your result within a few days. If you do not pass, the examiner's report explains what to improve, giving you a clear focus for further lessons before you try again.

After the test: probationary licence and next steps

Passing the practical test does not immediately give you a full-strength licence. New drivers begin on a probationary period during which they hold a reduced number of licence points. This probationary phase lasts three years for those who took the traditional route, or two years for those who completed accompanied driving. During this time you must display an 'A' sticker on the rear of your vehicle to indicate you are a novice.

While you wait for your definitive licence card to arrive, you can drive using the temporary certificate issued after you pass. This document confirms your entitlement to drive and should be kept with you. Reduced speed limits apply to probationary drivers on certain roads, so make sure you know the lower thresholds and respect them, as they are enforced.

Driving carefully during the probationary years matters because your points balance increases each year only if you avoid offences. Keeping a clean record allows you to reach the full points total at the end of the period. If you accumulate penalties, the process of recovering points can be slow and may involve additional courses. Treat these first years as a continuation of your learning, staying attentive and building the safe habits that will serve you for the rest of your driving life.

Documents, costs and timelines to plan for

It pays to plan the paperwork, budget and time commitment before you start, so there are no surprises along the way. For registration you will need a valid identity document, a compliant photograph, and proof of residence. Younger candidates and those on the accompanied route may need additional forms, and if you register through a driving school, staff will guide you through exactly what to provide.

Costs vary depending on the route you choose and how many lesson hours you need. You should budget for the theory exam fee, the practical lessons themselves, and any additional practice hours beyond the minimum. The practical test fee is often included within a driving school package, but it is worth confirming this when you enrol. Some learners qualify for financial assistance schemes, so it can be worth asking whether any support is available to you.

Timelines are equally personal. Some learners complete the process in a few months of concentrated effort, while others spread it across a year or more, especially on the accompanied driving route. The pace depends on how often you study for the theory, how quickly you secure exam slots, and how many lessons you take each week. Booking regular, well-spaced sessions and keeping your documents organised are the two habits that most consistently keep the process moving smoothly from first registration to holding your licence.

Example

Overview of the main stages to obtain a permis B in France

Stage	What it involves	Key requirement
Registration	Create a candidate file and obtain your NEPH number	Identity document, photo, proof of residence
Code de la route	Multiple-choice theory exam of 40 questions	At least 35 correct answers to pass
Practical lessons	Lessons with an approved instructor	Minimum 20 hours, often more in practice
Practical test	Around 32 minutes driving in real traffic	Reach required points, no disqualifying fault
Probationary period	Novice phase with reduced points	Display 'A' sticker; two or three years

FAQ

What is a NEPH number and why do I need it? The NEPH is your unique candidate registration number for the licence process. You need it to book both the theory and practical exams, and it stays with you across all your attempts, so keep it safe from the moment it is issued.

Do I have to pass the theory exam before the driving test? Yes. You must pass the Code de la route theory exam before you are allowed to sit the practical driving test. Your theory pass remains valid for a limited period and number of practical attempts, so plan your lessons accordingly.

How many driving lessons will I need? The legal minimum for the traditional route is 20 hours with an approved instructor, but many learners take more. The right number depends on your starting level, how regularly you practise, and how confident you feel before the test.

What is the difference between the traditional route and accompanied driving? The traditional route follows registration, theory, lessons and test in sequence. Accompanied driving lets you start from age 15 and build experience with a supervising adult over a longer period, which can also shorten your probationary phase after passing.

What happens if I fail the practical test? You receive an examiner's report explaining the areas to improve. You can rebook and try again after further lessons focused on those points. A single minor mistake during the test does not usually cause a fail on its own.