Embassy and consular procedures
Exchanging a Japanese driving licence for a French one
The steps to exchange a Japanese licence: the two documents to request from the embassy, the online application on ANTS, the fees and the points that
Edited by EMA
Checked on: · Source : Official sources of the venues and organisations mentioned
Who needs to apply for an exchange?
A licence issued outside the EU/EEA, including in Japan, is in principle recognised for one year after you acquire normal residence in France. To keep driving after that, an exchange is needed, subject to conditions and exceptions.
- For non-European nationals, the starting point depends on the first residence permit or the validation of the VLS-TS, not simply on the day of arrival. Check your situation on Service Public.
- Students and some other statuses have special rules. Check the official page and the embassy for your status.
- For a short stay or a planned return to Japan, first check whether an exchange is necessary.
The process in five steps
- 1. Ask the embassy for the certified translation of the licence and the certificate of driving rights, depending on your situation. Some people, including students and working-holiday visa holders, do not need the certificate according to consular guidance.
- 2. Apply online with France Titres – ANTS, with photos or scans of the documents. The procedure has been online since 4 August 2020.
- 3. Pay the €40 tax stamp at the end of the application, according to Service Public.
- 4. When the service asks by email or SMS, send the Japanese original by registered post. Processing can take several months. Filing the application does not automatically extend the validity of the foreign licence in France.
- 5. After the original is received, a secure filing certificate can be downloaded on ANTS. Its announced duration is four months; check the period and the rights written on the certificate.
The two consular documents
The application is in principle made in person. For the certified translation, representation may be possible with a signed form and power of attorney, depending on consular conditions.
| Document | Use | What to prepare | Time and fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certification of the Japanese licence (PERMIS DE CONDUIRE JAPONAIS) | Certifies the content of the licence in French. | Form, valid original Japanese licence (excluding My Number licence), passport, residence permit or visa if current, 4.5 × 3.5 cm photo. | Five working days from the day after the application. €13 at the 2026 rate, payment methods to be confirmed. |
| ATTESTATION DES DROITS À CONDUIRE (certificate of driving rights) | Certifies driving rights; the consular page normally states three months’ validity. | Valid original licence, form, passport, residence permit or VLS-TS and confirmation of validation. | Five working days, free. Consular registration required according to the embassy. |
Requesting and collecting the documents
- People on the consular register can request the licence certification by post; collection is at the embassy.
- For a certificate requested at the counter, sending to your home may be offered with a stamped, addressed envelope.
- The competent post depends on your place of residence: check Paris, Marseille, Strasbourg or Lyon according to your district.
- The forms can be downloaded from the consular pages and are available at the counter.
Indicative budget
| Item | Amount | To check |
|---|---|---|
| Consular certification of the licence | €13 at the 2026 rate | The rate that applies is the one in force at the time of application; revisions may occur. |
| Certificate of driving rights | Free | According to consular procedures. |
| ANTS tax stamp | €40 | At the end of the online application, according to Service Public. |
| Sending the original licence | Postage | By registered post when the service asks for it. |
| Sworn translation, if necessary | Depends on the translator | See the points to watch. |
Points to watch
- The embassy’s certified translation may not be accepted. A translation by a translator sworn before a French court may then be requested.
- If the consular certificate is not accepted, documents issued by the Japan Safe Driving Center and their translation may be needed.
- The consular pages mention three months for the certificate and less than six months in the exchange conditions. Request the document close to your filing and confirm which condition applies.
- The exchange requires, among other things, a valid licence, lawful residence and no relevant suspension or cancellation. Check the detailed criteria on Service Public.
- For motorcycles, the exchange does not directly give category A; an A2 category may be issued, then access to A after two years and training, depending on the applicable conditions.
After the exchange
- The Japanese original is handed to the French authorities. Some returns to the embassy have resumed, but a delay or no return at all remains possible. See the application procedure at the embassy.
- According to the embassy, the returned Japanese licence cannot be used to drive in France; it also recalls the rules on holding two licences.
- To drive in Japan on a temporary or permanent return, see the dedicated consular page.
- Some consular pages date from 2019 or 2020: confirm the current procedures before applying.