Following the ratification of the withdrawal agreement, the UK’s exit from the European Union is effective as of 1 February 2020. The withdrawal agreement contains no specific provisions on driving licences. However, as already mentioned, it does provide for a transition period starting on 1 February 2020 and ending on 31 December 2020. This transition period could be extended from one year to a maximum of two years.

A French driving licence allows you to drive in EU Member States.

During the transition period, you will be able to drive in the other EU Member States with your British driving licence.

However, after the transition period or if there is no withdrawal agreement, if you have a British driving licence and wish to drive in other Member States you should contact those States. Each EU Member State has sovereign authority to determine the regulations applying to recognising and exchanging driving licences with non-EU countries.

Thereafter, there will be three main scenarios depending on whether you are driving in France as a tourist or resident:

• If you live in France, special and reciprocal provisions will set out the conditions of exchange for British driving licence holders who are resident of France
• If you are a tourist in France, you can drive with your licence obtained by means of a driving test in the UK for the duration of your stay accompanied by an international driving permit.
• If you intend to settle in France, after the transition period, your British driving licence will be recognised in France for one year but you will be required to apply to exchange it during this period if a reciprocal agreement is concluded between France and the United Kingdom.

However, after the transition period, if you have a British driving licence and wish to drive in other Member States you should contact those States. Each EU Member State has sovereign authority to determine the regulations applying to recognising and exchanging driving licences with non-EU countries.

Following the transition period, British driving licences will be regarded as non-EU driving licences.

Under national law, licences issued by non-EU countries are valid for a year from the date of taking up usual residence in France.  Individuals in this case have this same period of one year in which to apply to exchange their licence for a French driving licence, provided a reciprocal agreement exists between France and the country that issued the driving licence.

In the absence of an agreement, driving licences will be valid for a year from the date of taking up usual residence in France, but they will not be exchangeable. At the end of this period of validity, British driving licences will no longer entitle their holders to drive in France.