Documents in the file

You should return your driving licence to the prefecture where you live by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt.

If you wish to obtain a duplicate of the reference 44 form, please email a copy of both sides of your valid identity document, stating your home address.

You should return your driving licence by post (registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt).

If your document is lost, you should write to your prefecture to obtain a form for declaring the loss.

For applications for a new driving licence after losing driving rights, a certificate of entitlement to drive will be available after verification by the government.

 

You will be notified by letter and text message as soon as the certificate is available.

 

Until you have this document, you are not allowed to drive a vehicle.

 

To obtain the certificate, follow the steps below.

• Step 1: Text message/email received after analysis by the government
• Step 2: Log in with the account you used to apply for your new licence: https://ants.gouv.fr/monespace/s-inscrire
• Step 3: Access your application online by selecting "view" in the "Actions" menu 

Once you're in your application, download your certificate of entitlement to drive by clicking on the link

    The driving test certificate (CEPC), together with proof of identity, allows you to drive anywhere in France for 4 months following the date of the test.
    In the event of a police check, this certificate can be presented in paper form or directly on a smartphone or tablet.
    If your driving licence has expired, you must wait until you receive a new one before you can drive again.
    No other documents will be issued.

The file number is also known as the permit number or NEPH code.

 

This number is made up of 1 to 15 alphanumeric characters. It is written on the back of your driving licence, at top left.

 

There are two possible scenarios:

 

Scenario no. 1: You obtained your first driving licence after 1 June 1975: you will see two rows of 6 characters one above the other

To see how many points you have, you must enter it without spaces (example: 051227308989) in the first box only.

 

Example:

051227   

308989

NEPH code to enter: 051227308989

 

Scenario no. 2: You obtained your first driving licence before 1 June 1975:  You will see two rows of characters, one above the other , with four digits on the second line

To see how many points you have, enter the characters shown on the top line, followed by the two pairs of two digits on the bottom line in the three boxes provided.

 

Example:

82214

6819

NEPH code to enter: 82214    68   19

The file number is also known as the permit number or NEPH code.

• Scenario 1: You obtained your first driving licence after 1 June 1975

Your 12-digit driving licence number is next to your photo.

To see how many points you have, you must enter it without spaces (example: 051227308989).

 

• Scenario 2: You obtained your first driving licence before 1 June 1975

Your driving licence number is made up of 1 to 15 alphanumeric characters followed by two pairs of two digits. It can be found next to your photo.

To see how many points you have, you need to enter the characters on the top line and then the four characters on the bottom line.

 

• Scenario 3: Your driving licence is older

Your driving licence number is made up of 1 to 15 characters and is located next to your photo.

To see how many points you have, you need to enter this number in the first field (822 114 in the example), then in the next 2 boxes:

• The two-digit year when the licence was issued (68 in the example)
• The two-digit département number (19 for Corrèze in the example)

When you apply for your driving licence online (for the first time), you will be asked to provide your ASSR2 (Attestation Scolaire de Sécurité Routière de Niveau 2)/ASR (Attestation de Sécurité Routière).

 

If you no longer have this document in your possession, you can:

• contact the school where you took the exam to obtain a duplicate,
• attach a sworn statement (standard form attached) that you have passed the knowledge test leading to the issue of the second-level school road safety certificate (ASSR2) or road safety certificate (ASR).

There are three ways to buy a tax stamp:

• buy it using the online procedure (if you have an online payment method)
• buy it at a tobacconist's
• buy it online at https://timbres.impots.gouv.fr/

The electronic (digital) stamp is used only for the formality for which it was purchased, i.e. obtaining a new driving licence. It is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, even if the formality fee changes. 

1. If you have a home address:

• a tax or non-tax notice
• or a non-handwritten rent receipt
• or a bill less than 6 months old (landline or mobile phone, gas, electricity or water).

2. If you are a lodger:

• a sworn statement, dated and signed by both the lodger and the host, certifying the accommodation.
• and proof of address of the host from one of the documents listed in (1).

3. If you are a minor:

• a sworn statement of accommodation from one of the parents, dated and signed
• and the copy of the identity document of the parent who signed the sworn statement
• and proof of address for that same parent from among those listed in (1).

4. If you are travelling in France and have no fixed address:

• a certificate of election of domicile under the conditions set out in Article L. 264-2 of the Code de l'Action Sociale et des Familles (French Social Action and Family Code) or a special travelling worker permit
• and a bill less than 6 months old (landline or mobile phone, gas, electricity or water).

5. If you are staying at a hotel or campsite

• a certificate from the manager or director of the hotel or campsite
• and one of the documents listed in (1) that is less than 6 months old.

6. If you live on a boat that you rent or own:

• one of the documents listed in (1) in your name
• and a certificate less than 6 months old issued by the harbour master's office, or for bargemen and boatmen, a certificate of residence issued by the company that employs you.

The photo must be recent and taken by a professional or in an approved photo booth.

It must be 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm in size and comply with the following specifications:

• In colour, on a light, plain background
• Front view, no headwear
• Centred, uncluttered face
• Eyes visible and open
• Scanned or photocopied photos will not be accepted

To send by post, the photo should be stuck on, preferably using double-sided adhesive or strong glue. Do not use staples or simple adhesive tape, which could lead to your photo being rejected because of the marks they cause.

If the photograph on your driving licence is rejected (for the reason "Images rejected" in the case of an online application, or on the advice of the processing department), you must reapply for a driving licence with new identity photographs.

 

You need to take new identity photos, preferably from an ANTS-approved professional.

According to instructions from the Road Safety Delegation, a theft report filed abroad is an official document that is admissible when applying for a driving licence following a theft.

To apply for a driving licence after passing your driving test, you will need the following documents in digital format (scanned or photographed):

• Proof of identity
• Proof of address less than six months old
• a photo/signature code from an "ANTS-approved online service" photo booth or photographer, or a passport photograph. View the map of approved photographers and photo booths
• the driving test certificate (CEPC)

For all online applications, you must provide at least the following documents:

• A valid identity document 
• Proof of address less than six months old
• Passport-size photo in digital or paper format

Depending on the reason for the request, other documents may be required. 

 

All documents must be scanned or photographed. 

 

Please note that poorly legible images may result in rejection. 

 

 

Loss

• An online payment method (credit card) or a digital tax stamp 

Theft

• The theft report (to be made at a police station) 
• An online payment method (credit card) or a digital tax stamp 

Damage 

• Your damaged driving licence (front and back) 

Vital records change

• Your “Livret de Famille” family record book (in the event of divorce) or court ruling (adoption, change of marital status), justifying the change

Expiry 

• Your driving licence front/back
  • For an application for a heavy-vehicle category or following surgery: Medical opinion issued by an approved general practitioner 

Anyone registering to take the driving test who has reached the age of 17 but not yet 25 must attend the Defence and Citizenship (JDC) training.

 

This document is not required to apply for a licence.

• If you are waiting to take the JDC course, you should provide the provisional certificate pending your invitation to the Defence and Citizenship course (JDC),
• If you are exempt from the JDC, you must provide the individual exemption certificate. These certificates can be requested from the National Service Centre (CSN). To obtain the contact details of the National Service Centres, download the contact details of the National Service Centres
• If you live abroad, you will need to provide
  • the certificate of JDC attendance from abroad (provided by the consulate)
  • or the certificate of JDC attendance in France
  • or if you are not returning to live habitually in France before the age of 25: a certificate stating that you are provisionally in good standing with regard to the JDC (provided by the consulate)