License RequirementsUK Licence in France 2026: Issue Date Decides for Residents
Yes, no IDP for a photocard. If you live in France, a UK licence issued before 2021 works until it expires; one issued from 2021 must be exchanged within 12 months.
Yes — a UK photocard is all you need to drive in France. GOV.UK: “you do not need an international driving permit (IDP) to visit and drive in the EU, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein” (GOV.UK). For people who live in France, what matters is the issue date printed on the licence.
On holiday
The photocard is recognised in France as it is. The only British drivers who may need an IDP are those still using an old paper licence, and then only in some EU countries — updating to a photocard removes the doubt. Traffic keeps to the right.
Living in France: it depends on the issue date
GOV.UK’s living-in-France guidance splits residents into two groups (GOV.UK):
| Your UK licence | What you can do in France |
|---|---|
| Issued before 1 January 2021 | Drive on it until it expires; exchange once it has expired or will expire within 12 months |
| Issued on or after 1 January 2021 | Exchange it within 12 months of arriving |
In both cases a UK licence cannot be renewed or replaced from France, so renew before you move if the expiry date is close.
How the exchange works
Applications go online to ANTS (Agence nationale des titres sécurisés). You will need a check code from the DVLA (or from the DVA for a Northern Irish licence). The receipt ANTS issues after you hand in your licence lets you keep driving while the French licence is made.
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Related Questions
No, not with a photocard. GOV.UK says you do not need an international driving permit to visit and drive in the EU, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein. A paper licence may need one in some EU countries.
A visitor can use it for the whole trip. For residents, GOV.UK says a UK licence issued before 1 January 2021 can be used until it expires, while one issued after that date has to be exchanged within 12 months of arrival.
Online through ANTS, the French agency for secure documents. You need a check code from the DVLA, and the deposit receipt lets you keep driving while the French licence is produced. A UK licence cannot be renewed or replaced while you live in France.