Embracing digitalisation, France introduces a revolutionary addition to its identity app – the digital driver’s license. Designed to complement traditional licenses, this innovation simplifies road use while enhancing security and convenience. For expats navigating French roads, understanding the digital driver’s license is essential. Here’s everything you need to know.
Table of contents
The purpose of the digital driver's license
The digital driver’s license in France serves a triple purpose: reducing risk of physical loss or theft, enabling data-restricted procedures and combating fraud.
- Reducing risk: The digital driver’s license significantly reduces risk of physical loss or theft associated with traditional licenses.
- Enhanced security: By digitising the license, users can securely store and access their driving credentials on their smartphones, minimising the chance of unauthorised access.
- Data-restricted procedures: The digital format allows for data-restricted procedures, enabling users to share specific information without disclosing all personal data, enhancing privacy and security.
- Combatting fraud: This digital advancement helps in combatting fraud, particularly in online transactions, where identity verification is crucial, contributing to a safer digital environment.
- Convenience: Users benefit from the convenience of having their license readily accessible on their smartphones, eliminating the need to carry physical documents.
How to import your license
To load your digital license onto your smartphone, you’ll need a device with NFC functionality and the new credit card format CNI-e. Here is a step by step procedure for obtaining your digital driver’s license.
On your computer
- Visit the website https://mespoints.permisdeconduire.gouv.fr.
- Log in the service using FranceConnect or create an account with your email address and password.
- Once logged in, navigate to the ‘My documents’ (mes documents) tab.
- Locate and click on the ‘Download my RIR’ (télécharger mon RIR) link to obtain your Restricted Information Statement (Relevé d’Information Restreint – RIR) of the driver’s license.
- The document will be downloaded to your computer.
On your smartphone
- Open the France Identité application on your smartphone.
- Select the option to ‘Scan a QR code’ (scanner un QR code) within the app.
- Use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code provided on the Restricted Information Statement.
- Within seconds, the driver’s license will be imported into the France Identité application.
Please note that the loading of the license into the France Identité application will be immediate only if the information on the driver’s license matches that of the ID card. If there is any inconsistency between the data, the France Identité application will not import the driver’s license.
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Using the digital license
During roadside checks, expats can utilise the France Identité app to share license data securely. By tapping their smartphone on the internal security forces’ NEO device, officiers can access identity and license details swiftly and securely.
Limitations and considerations
At present, the digital driver’s license is only valid within France. Additionally, only French licenses can be integrated into the France Identité app due to the import process’s reliance on the restricted identity statement.
> You might be interested in this article: How long should you keep your French admin documents?
Final notes
The advent of the digital driver’s license heralds a new era of convenience and security for road users in France. Expats can now navigate the country’s roads with greater ease, knowing that their license is securely stored on their smartphone. Embrace this digital evolution and streamline your road use experience in France.
Useful resources
For detailed instructions on importing your digital driver’s license, visit the official French government website here.
