Ukrainians can stay in France with their own car. However, the country has established certain requirements for personal vehicles of refugees. Find out more about whether you need to register your car in France and exchange your Ukrainian license

Issuing a policy Green card for traveling abroad by car

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Having a car abroad makes life much easier. With a car, you don't have to worry about public transportation or tickets to travel around Europe. 

However, ignorance of the requirements for drivers and their vehicles does not become a reason to avoid punishment. Here are all the important rules that drivers in France need to follow to avoid getting into trouble.

Do Ukrainians need to exchange their driving license in France?

The European Commission has authorized all refugees from Ukraine to use a driver's license in EU countries. Therefore, there is no need to obtain a European-style document in France.

If a police officer claims that your license is invalid, show them the Commission's decision at this link.

We would like to add that you do not need to have a certified translation of your ID if your document does not contain a name in Latin. Refugees are even allowed to use an expired certificate if it was issued for the first time before the war (the validity of such a certificate is 2 years).

Compulsory car insurance in France

To enter the territory of France, all drivers must take out a Green Card insurance policy. This can be done online in a few clicks at the link before crossing the border or while already in the country.

It should be noted that if the insurance policy expires, it can be easily renewed. Read more about the benefits of the Green Card here. 

Renewal of a driving license

It is not possible to renew the document in France. However, you can do it in the Diia app. To renew or exchange a driver's license, you need to:

• Log in to the driver's account using an electronic signature;

• select the required service in the list;

• fill out an application and submit the necessary documents;

• pay for the service - the cost is UAH 319.

Using an electronic document is prohibited in France 

The Diia app has not been legalized in France, so you need to carry physical documents with you.

Is it possible to get a French driver's license?

Currently, the law does not allow persons with temporary protection to obtain a driver's license in France. 

Follow the rules of the road

If you break the rules, you will be fined or banned from driving for a certain period of time. Remember that the penalties in the EU are severe:

- a driver may be deprived of the right to drive a car for exceeding the speed limit by 40 km/h;

- if the driver is not wearing a reflective vest or a warning triangle, he/she will be fined 135 euros;

- for using a radar detector, the driver will pay a fine of up to EUR 3,000.

The fine can be paid immediately or within 3 days at the Centre d'encaissement des amendes office.

Children in a car in France

According to French law, children under 10 years of age must be transported in a special car seat and only in the back seat. They can also use a seat belt only if it goes over the shoulder, not the neck.

We remind you! Many Ukrainian refugees from Ukraine have already mastered all the intricacies of life in France and have settled in the country. Read more about how Ukrainian entrepreneurs can start their own business in France in our article.