Why was application to switch UK driving licence for French one rejected?

Reader Question: I recently tried to swap my UK licence for a French licence but received a letter saying it was not ‘necessary’. I thought a recent Connexion article said that it was possible for holders of British licences to apply at any time now? I have a permanent stay Brexit Withdrawal Agreement card and am a retiree.

Officials at the Nantes prefecture, who deal with driving licence swaps in France, did indeed tell us that it was possible for holders of UK licences first issued before 2021 ‘at any time, even if the expiry date is far off’. 

This came after in the past applicants have sometimes been told their application was invalid if they applied more than six months before their UK licence was set to expire.

Firstly, we should say that French and EU laws on exchange of licences says that holders of EU licences (UK ones first issued before 2021 are treated similarly) are able to exchange for a French one voluntarily not only in situations where it is obligatory, such as imminent expiry (Code de la route article R222-2).

Read more: UK residents CAN legally register a car at their French second home

'Retiree' residency card

Having said this, you showed us the refusal letter, and the service was under the impression you have a ‘retiree’ residency card, which is not the case, or possibly another card indicating a stay in France that is temporary and cannot be extended.

The ‘retiree’ card is one specifically for foreign people who have a French pension, who live abroad and want to come back to France for a stay of not more than a year. It is described here.

We discussed this by email, and you said you may have ticked a box related to this card as you are a retiree, which is understandable.

If this is the case it would explain the service’s suggestion that an exchange is ‘unnecessary’, as the holder of such a card will not be staying in France long enough to require a swap.

We would suggest reapplying, being careful not to select any box indicating you hold this temporary ‘retiree’ card but have the right to permanent residency in France. 

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