The préfecture says you can drive. The police officer on the highway says show me a translation. Your Ukrainian neighbor says “I’ve been driving for three years with no issues, never changed anything.” And the forum says you need to retake the French exam from scratch. Who’s right? Actually - everyone, just in different situations. Let’s figure out when your Ukrainian license works in France, when you need to exchange it, and what to do in your specific case.
When your Ukrainian license works in France without exchange¶
It all comes down to one thing - your legal basis for staying in France.
Temporary protection (APS / protection temporaire)¶
If you came because of the war and hold an APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) marked “bénéficiaire de la protection temporaire” - your Ukrainian driving license is automatically recognized in France. This is established by EU Regulation 2022/1280 of July 18, 2022.
In practice, this means:
- No translation of your license needed
- No international driving permit needed
- Even if your license expired after February 24, 2022 - it’s still valid
- You can drive anywhere in France (including DOM-TOM overseas territories)
Temporary protection has been extended until March 4, 2027 by the EU Council decision. So until that date, you can drive with your Ukrainian license and nobody can fine you for it.
But there’s a catch. Temporary protection will end eventually. If you’re planning to stay in France long-term - it’s worth figuring out the exchange process or exam preparation now.
Regular titre de séjour (work visa, salarié, vie privée)¶
If you’re in France on a titre de séjour - say, a carte de séjour salarié or vie privée et familiale - the rules are completely different. Your Ukrainian license is valid for only 1 year from the date you receive your first titre de séjour.
After that year - that’s it. Driving with Ukrainian license becomes illegal. Fines in France are serious - up to 15,000 euros and 1 year imprisonment for driving without a valid license (Article L221-2, Code de la route). In practice, it’s usually a fine of 800-1,500 euros, but it’s not worth the risk.
The “4-year rule” for those transitioning from APS to titre de séjour¶
If you initially had temporary protection and then got a regular titre de séjour (like carte de séjour salarié) - the 1-year countdown starts from the date your first titre de séjour was issued, not from when you arrived in France. So theoretically, your Ukrainian license can be recognized for up to 4 years: 3 years of APS + 1 year after your first titre de séjour.
But after those 4 years - only two options: exchange your license (if the Ukraine-France agreement is in effect by then) or take the French driving exam from scratch.
The new Ukraine-France agreement: what’s changed¶
Previously, exchanging a Ukrainian license for a French one was simply impossible - there was no bilateral agreement on mutual recognition of driving licenses between the two countries. Unlike Spain (agreement since 2010) and Italy (since 2016), France had no such deal.
The Declaration of June 2, 2025¶
During Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal’s visit to Paris, a Declaration on simplifying mutual recognition and exchange of driving licenses was signed. It was signed by the Ukrainian Ambassador to France and the Director of European and International Affairs at the French Ministry of Interior.
What this means:
- Ukraine and France confirmed their shared intention to conclude a full agreement
- Once signed, Ukrainians will be able to exchange their licenses without taking any exams
- A delegation from the French Ministry of Interior has already visited Ukraine to study driver training standards
When will it take effect¶
As of March 2026, the full agreement hasn’t been signed yet. The Declaration is a statement of intent, not a binding treaty. The process could take anywhere from a few months to a year. The French Senate has raised this issue multiple times (notably in February 2025), emphasizing that the lack of an agreement threatens the autonomy and employment of Ukrainians in France.
What to do now? Follow the news on the Ukrainian Embassy in France website - they’ll announce it first when the agreement takes effect.
Driving license translation: when you need it and how much it costs¶
Translating a driving license is one of the most common requests to sworn translators in France. And there are clear rules here.
When translation is required¶
- For any license exchange procedure through ANTS (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés)
- If police stop you and want to check your license (for those driving on a regular titre de séjour)
- For car rental at some companies
- For insurance - some companies require a translation
When translation isn’t needed¶
- If you have temporary protection (APS) - your license is recognized automatically, no translation needed
- If you have an international driving permit (IDP) issued in Ukraine - it already includes French
Who can translate¶
Only a traducteur assermenté - a sworn translator registered with a French Court of Appeal (Cour d’appel). A translation by a Ukrainian notary or a German beeidigter Übersetzer won’t work - French authorities only accept translations from their own registered translators.
Where to find a Ukrainian-French sworn translator:
- Official translator registry: annuaire-traducteur-assermente.fr - select “ukrainien” and your region
- Ukrainian community directory: paris-ua.com - convenient search by language
- Court of Cassation website: courdecassation.fr - official search
Your translator doesn’t have to be from your city. Living in Lyon? You can order from a translator in Paris. Many work online: you send a scan of your license, get the translation by mail or courier.
How much does translation cost¶
| Service | Price | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Driving license translation | 30-45 € | 2-5 days |
| Translation of attestation des droits à conduire | 35-50 € | 2-5 days |
| Rush translation (24-48 hours) | +50-100% surcharge | 1-2 days |
Prices vary by translator and region. Paris is more expensive, provinces are cheaper. There are currently about 187 sworn translators for Ukrainian registered in France - that’s not a lot, so you might have to wait sometimes.
On a forum for Ukrainians in France, one guy wrote: “Looked for a Ukrainian translator in Toulouse - couldn’t find a single one in the region. Ordered from a translator in Paris, she did everything in 3 days and sent it by courier. Paid 40 euros for the translation plus 8 for delivery.” That’s a typical situation - most Ukrainian sworn translators are concentrated in Paris and Île-de-France.
The exchange process: step by step¶
Right now, with no full agreement signed, you can’t directly exchange your Ukrainian license for a French one. But it’s worth knowing the process - when the agreement kicks in, you’ll need exactly this checklist.
What you need to submit through ANTS¶
| Document | Translation? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driving license (original) | Yes | Traduction assermentée |
| Attestation des droits à conduire | Yes | Certificate that your license hasn’t been revoked, issued by Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, valid for 6 months |
| Titre de séjour (valid) | No | Copy of both sides |
| Proof of address | No | Utility bill or attestation d’hébergement, less than 6 months old |
| Photo 3.5×4.5 cm | - | e-photo for ANTS or photo booth |
| Completed Cerfa 14879*01 form | - | Download from ANTS website |
The attestation des droits à conduire (certificate of driving rights) confirms that your license hasn’t been revoked, suspended, or canceled. It’s issued by Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs Service Center. You can order it through the “Diia” app or through the consulate.
How to submit your application¶
The application is submitted online through the ANTS platform. Step by step:
- Create an account on ANTS (or use FranceConnect)
- Select “Échanger un permis étranger”
- Upload all documents (scans or high-quality photos)
- Get your application number and wait
Processing time: 3 to 12 months. Yes, it’s long. Some préfectures are faster, but on average expect 4-6 months. While your application is being processed, you’ll receive an attestation de dépôt - a temporary document confirming your right to drive.
What if there’s no agreement yet - what are your options?¶
Until the mutual recognition agreement is signed, you have several options.
Option 1: Take the French driving exam¶
This is the only guaranteed way to get French driving rights right now. It consists of two parts:
Code de la route (theory exam): - 40 questions, you need at least 35 correct answers - Available in several languages, but Ukrainian isn’t one of them - English is - Register through La Poste or a driving school, cost - 30 € - You can prepare online using apps like Ornikar, En Voiture Simone, Code Rousseau
Épreuve pratique (practical exam): - 32 minutes behind the wheel with an examiner - You need at least 20 points out of 31 - You’ll typically need driving school lessons - 20-30 hours
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Theory exam | 30 € |
| Practical lessons (20-30 hours) | 800-1,500 € |
| Practical exam | free |
| Total | 830-1,530 € |
On a forum, a Ukrainian woman from Marseille shared her experience: “Passed the theory on my third attempt - first two times I didn’t know enough about roundabout priority and ZFE zones. Passed the practical on the first try, 12 years of driving experience helped. But I still had to take driving school lessons - they won’t let you take the exam without them.”
Option 2: Wait for the agreement¶
If your temporary protection is still valid or you’re within a year of getting your titre de séjour - you can wait. The Declaration has been signed, negotiations are ongoing. But there are no guarantees, and no specific timeline either.
Option 3: International driving permit¶
An international driving permit (IDP) can be obtained in Ukraine through the Ministry of Internal Affairs Service Center or the “Diia” app. It works alongside your original license and includes translations in several languages, including French. But an IDP isn’t a replacement for the exchange - it’s a temporary solution while your Ukrainian license is still valid.
Comparison: France vs Germany vs Spain¶
If you’re choosing a country to move to or already have experience with licenses in another EU country - here’s how the rules differ.
| France | Germany | Spain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary protection | License valid without exchange until 03.2027 | License valid without exchange until 03.2027 | License valid without exchange until 03.2027 |
| Regular residence permit | Valid for 1 year | Valid for 6 months | Valid for 6 months |
| Exchange agreement | Declaration signed, agreement in progress | No agreement, exams required | Agreement since 2010, exchange without exams |
| Exchange cost | ~50 € (translation + fees) | ~100 € (translation + Führerscheinstelle) | ~30 € (fees only) |
| Exam cost | 830-1,530 € | 1,500-2,500 € | Not required |
| Translation | Traduction assermentée | Beglaubigte Übersetzung | Traducción jurada |
As you can see, Spain is currently the most convenient for Ukrainian drivers - thanks to the 2010 agreement. France is moving in that direction, but it’s not there yet.
Special cases¶
Digital license from the “Diia” app¶
The digital driving license from the “Diia” app is recognized in France for people with temporary protection - this is confirmed by EU Regulation 2022/1280. But for the exchange procedure, you’ll need the physical document.
Expired licenses¶
If your license expired after February 24, 2022 and you have temporary protection - it’s still valid. For those with a regular titre de séjour - no, expired licenses aren’t recognized.
Categories C, D (trucks, buses)¶
To exchange category C or D licenses, you’ll need an additional medical exam from a doctor accredited by the préfecture. This applies to all foreign licenses, not just Ukrainian ones.
Drivers with disabilities¶
If your Ukrainian license was issued with medical restrictions - for the exchange in France you’ll need an assessment from a French doctor accredited by the préfecture. They’ll confirm you can drive under the same restrictions according to French standards.
FAQ¶
Can I drive in France with a Ukrainian license without a translation?¶
If you have temporary protection (APS) - yes, no translation needed. If you have a regular titre de séjour - it’s better to have a sworn translation or international driving permit with you. Police have the right to request it.
How much does it cost to exchange Ukrainian driving rights for French ones?¶
Until the agreement is signed, direct exchange isn’t possible. If you take the exams - it’s 830-1,530 euros (theory + practical lessons). Once the agreement takes effect - the cost will be much lower: ~30-50 euros for translation + ~25 euros ANTS fee.
Does France accept notarized translations from Ukraine?¶
No. French authorities only accept translations from a traducteur assermenté - a translator registered with a French Court of Appeal. A notarized translation from Ukraine, even with an apostille, isn’t recognized in France.
When will France sign the driving license exchange agreement with Ukraine?¶
The Declaration on simplifying the exchange was signed on June 2, 2025. The full agreement is still in progress - a French Ministry of Interior delegation has already visited Ukraine to study standards. There’s no specific timeline, but estimates point to 2026-2027.
What happens to my license after temporary protection ends?¶
After temporary protection ends (currently extended until March 4, 2027), you’ll get a regular titre de séjour. From that point, your Ukrainian license is valid for 1 more year. During that year, you need to either exchange it (if the agreement is in place) or take the French driving exam.
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