Driving cars in France

A car is needed in small cities (below 20,000 citizen usually) and villages France, unless in urban areas with good public transportation.

After one year, it will be necessary to have a French license and to put French license plates.

You can drive with your Ukrainian license as long as you are not ordinarily resident in France: Details[FR]

You will only be able to use your Ukrainian permit in France for 1 year, starting from the acquisition of your normal residence in France (a normal residence is a usual residence of more than 185 days).

Beyond one year, a French driving license is required.

Currently, there is no automatic license exchange between Ukraine and France. Ukraine is not on the official approved list. You will therefore have to take driving lessons and driving tests in France to obtain the French driving licence.

You can drive your Ukrainian car in France if you are insured for the European Union. It is possible to buy temporary insurance called “Assurance frontière [Border Insurance]” for 30 or 90 days (for example: ATEL).

All cars in France must be insured.

The proof of insurance is the “Carte Verte [Green Card]”.

The minimum insurance is the “Tiers [Third Party]”.

Full coverage is “Tous Risques [All Risks]”.

Vehicles are registered with a procedure on the internet on the website of the ANTS (since 2017).

There is a fee once when registering.

It is recommended to go to a Maison France Services to scan the documents and get help with the process: Map of the Maisons France Services

Anyone residing in France for more than a year must drive a vehicle fitted with French license plates. This applies both to French citizens and to people with a residence permit. Otherwise the risk is to pay a fine of 135 EUR and risk the immobilization of the vehicle. Source

The registration procedure is explained on the website Service Public

There is a mandatory inspection every two years of cars registered in France (“Contrôle Technique”).

To sell or buy a car, you need first a CONTROLE TECHNIQUE. It costs 78 EUR. You have to setup an appointment.

There is no tax on selling cars for non-professional sellers.

There are taxes on buying cars.