Translating a Foreign Driving Licence in Paris

Need to translate a foreign driving licence in Paris? The Île-de-France prefecture and the ANTS (National Secure Documents Agency) process driving licence exchange applications for Paris residents. A certified French translation is required for licences in non-Latin scripts or from non-EU countries. This guide explains the procedure and how to get your translation quickly.

When is a driving licence translation required in Paris?

In France, a certified translation of a foreign driving licence is required when:

• The licence is written in a non-Latin script (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Cyrillic…)
• You are a resident of France for more than one year and wish to exchange your non-EU licence
• Your country of origin is not covered by a bilateral driving licence exchange agreement with France
• The prefecture or ANTS requests a translation as part of the exchange dossier

EU licences are mutually recognised without translation. For countries with a bilateral agreement (Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Ivory Coast and others), an exchange is possible without taking a driving test, but a translation of the original licence may still be required.

Île-de-France prefecture and ANTS: exchange procedure

Since 2019, driving licence exchanges in France are processed by the ANTS(Agence nationale des titres sécurisés) online at ants.gouv.fr. The Île-de-France prefecture handles applications that require in-person processing. The dossier must include:

• The original foreign driving licence
• A certified French translation of the licence (for non-Latin scripts or non-EU countries)
• Proof of French residency (more than six months)
• A sworn statement of non-simultaneous use

Most requested driving licence languages in Paris

Paris is one of the world's most international cities. The most frequently translated driving licence languages include Arabic (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Gulf States), Chinese (Simplified), Russian, Japanese, Korean, Turkish, Persian, Thai and Vietnamese. TranslateBE covers all these languages with express delivery options.

Frequently asked questions

Does the ANTS accept driving licence translations ordered online?

Yes. The ANTS accepts certified translations from any sworn translator registered with a French Court of Appeal. The online ordering method does not affect the translation's legal status. The translation must bear the translator's signature, stamp and court registration number.

Does France have bilateral exchange agreements for all countries?

No. France has bilateral agreements with a number of countries (including several African nations, some South American countries and certain other states). For countries without an agreement, licence holders must typically pass a French driving test — but a certified translation is still required as part of the process. Check the full list on the French government's official website or with the ANTS.

How quickly can I get a driving licence translation in Paris?

Standard delivery is 1–2 business days. Express delivery within 24 hours is available for most languages and standard licence formats. Contact TranslateBE for same-day urgent requests.