Documents in the file

You need to add supporting documents for your application to be complete.

• You can send up to 7 supporting documents (proof of accommodation, medical certificate, etc.).
• Supporting documents must comply with a maximum size (11 MB) and be in a specific format (JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, PDF).
• Furthermore, documents must not exceed a certain number of pages (e.g.: your proof of identity must not be more than 2 pages).

To add a supporting document:

1. Click "Attach a file";
2. Choose your supporting document file in the folder you saved it to;
3. Click "Open";
4. A message informs you that your supporting document has been added.

 

You don't have a printer to scan your documents? Don't worry, there are other ways of doing this.
 

1- A basic smartphone is all you need!

If you scan using an Android smartphone:

1. Open your "Google Drive" app.
2. Click the "+" logo at the bottom right of your screen.
3. Choose the "Scan" option.
4. Position your phone camera over your document (make sure you frame your document correctly and that there's enough light to ensure your document is readable).
5. Tap the button to start the scan. Repeat the steps above if there's more than one page in your document.
   • If you're happy with the result, confirm your scan via the "✅" button (confirm). Your document will be saved to your Google Drive library.
   • If you'd like better document quality, check out our recommendations in the "I'm not sure about the quality of my file" article.
6. Rename your document so you can find it easily (e.g.: "Proof_of_address_January2026").

If you scan using an iPhone:

1. Open your "Notes" app.
2. Create a "New note" by clicking the button on the bottom right of your screen.
3. Click the "paperclip" logo.
4. Choose the "Scan Documents" option.
5. Position your phone camera over your document (make sure you frame your document correctly and that there's enough light to ensure your document is readable).
6. Tap the button to start the scan or, when in Auto mode, let the app snap the photo automatically. Repeat the steps above if there's more than one page in your document.
   • If you're happy with the result, confirm your scan via the "✅" button (confirm) at the top right of your screen.
   • If you'd like better document quality, check out our recommendations in the "I'm not sure about the quality of my file" article.
7. Once you've scanned all the pages of your document, choose the documents you wish to save by clicking the arrow on the top right of your screen, then tapping "Keep Scan", then "Done" to save the document to your note.
8. Rename your document so you can find it easily (e.g.: "Proof_of_address_January2026").

If you scan using a dedicated smartphone app like "Adobe Scan":

1. Download a dedicated scan app for your phone via "Google Play" or "App Store".
2. Click the "Camera" logo at the bottom of the screen.
3. Choose "Scan".
4. Choose the type of document to scan.
5. Position your phone camera over your document (make sure you frame your document correctly and that there's enough light to ensure your document is readable).
6. Tap the camera button to take a photo or let the app take the photo automatically. If there's more than one page in your document, click "Keep Scanning" and repeat the steps above.
   • If you're happy with the result, confirm your scan by clicking the "Save to PDF" button. Your document will be saved to your smartphone Adobe Scan library.
   • If you'd like better document quality, check out our recommendations in the "I'm not sure about the quality of my file" article.
7. Rename your document so you can find it easily (e.g.: "Proof_of_address_January2026").

2- Places equipped to scan!

If you don't have a scanner or smartphone, you can scan anywhere that offers this service. For example:

• a France services contact point, where an adviser can help you with your administrative procedures and can scan documents for you;
• a copy shop;
• a library / media library;
• an internet café.

Here's some advice to ensure there's no issue when processing your application.
 

1- Your document must be readable

Make sure there's enough light to ensure your document is perfectly readable. 
 

Don't use blurred photos

• If you take a photo of your file, use at least two side sources of light to make sure the content isn't concealed by your shadow or that of your phone.
• IMPORTANT! If your supporting document contains a 2D-DOC code, make sure it's clear. It will be used to validate your supporting document.

Check how you've positioned your document

• Your document must be centred and correctly positioned.
• Check out our advice on how to create a file that complies in the "I can't submit my file" article.

2- Your document must contain all the information required

Your document must contain all the information required for it to be validated; so, you don't necessarily have to submit all the pages of your document.

• Do you want to submit your tax return to prove your address? Then, you only need to submit the first page.
• Do you want to submit your divorce judgement to prove you have parental responsibility? Then you don't need to submit all the pages of this document, only the ones relating to the dissolution of marriage, the exercise of parental responsibility and the home addresses of minors.
• Does your document contain a visual code? Then, make sure it has been scanned correctly and is readable as it will be required to validate your supporting document.

You're unable to submit your files? There are two main reasons for this: your file is too big or its format isn't accepted.
 

1- Your file is too big

The driving licence application teleservice sets a maximum file size of 11MB. Your file's bigger than this? You'll have to reduce its size.
 

It's best to avoid online compression services, such as "I Love PDF", as they involve uploading potentially-sensitive documents to external platforms, which may pose a risk to data privacy.
 

For Windows environments, a simple solution is to use the "Save to PDF" printer feature, which often creates a lighter version of the document.
 

When only some parts of the file are required, the "Screenshot" tool can also be used to take pictures of the elements required and then to create a smaller document that contains all the useful information.
 

If you don't have a device to scan your document, check out our "I don't have a scanner" article.
 

2- My file's not in an accepted format

The following file formats are accepted:

• .jpg
• .png
• .bmp
• .tiff
• .pdf

Are you trying to send a photo in .heic format from an iPhone but can’t get it to work?

The online platform doesn't accept this format. Convert your photo to a standard format like .jpeg. To do this, enable the "Transfer to Mac or PC: Automatic" in your iPhone settings. Your photos will be automatically converted to .jpeg when sending.
 

Are you trying to submit a Word format document but it's not working?

The online platform doesn't accept this type of file. To send your Word file, save it in another format that's accepted, such as .pdf.

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
• 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).
• and a copy of the host’s identity document.

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)

Find the contact details for your National Service Center on the website www.defense.gouv.fr.