Exchange of Russian Drivers License in France
November 4, 2024
Friends, today we’d like to share a rather unusual case with you. The thing is, we learned that the client wanted to exchange her driver’s license after we had already completed all the tasks and said our goodbyes. How did it happen, and what kind of case is this? Read our new story to find out.
Client Story: Exchanging a Russian Driver’s License in France
About ten months ago, Galina S. (64 years old, retiree) contacted our agency. Galina, a widow of two years, had inherited a sizable savings, several real estate properties, and stocks in a few thriving companies from her late husband. She lived comfortably on her passive income, which more than met her needs.
Galina’s daughter, Irina, was studying in France, where she met Jacques, a French citizen. They married and had a child. Previously, Galina and her husband had visited Irina in France two or three times a year on a Schengen visa. About a year ago, Irina gave birth to twins and needed help. Jacques often traveled for work. After consulting with her daughter, Galina decided to move closer—to France. She planned to settle nearby and help as needed.
Client’s Requests:
- Ability to visit France at any time without restrictions;
- Ideally, to obtain a residence permit;
- No exams in language, culture, or history.
After assessing her situation, our licensed lawyers at GARANT.in recommended applying for a long-term “Visiteur” visa, which covered all her needs. This visa does not require knowledge of French, nor does it demand specific grounds for relocation, unlike other visa types.
The “Visiteur” visa is valid for one year and replaces a resident card. If the holder decides to extend their status, they must apply for a Carte de Séjour (residence permit for financially independent individuals) after the first year. This permit can be renewed indefinitely each year.
Visiteur Visa Requirements:
- Applicants may not work, run a business, or own a business in France.
- Applicants must have stable passive income generated outside of France.
- Applicants must prove they have housing—either rented or purchased in the country.
Galina’s savings were sufficient, and her monthly income exceeded the minimum requirement (€1,800/month) by nearly double. She had no visa rejections or violations. She planned to live with her daughter at first and later rent an apartment in the same area.
Documents Needed for the Visiteur Visa
Before formal cooperation began, we conducted a preliminary reliability check, which takes only a day and requires just the client’s passport. This check identifies any minor issues in the applicant’s background or potential visa rejection risks.
In Galina’s case, she was an ideal candidate: clean credit history, no tax issues, and no visa or legal violations. The check showed her income was fully declared and legal.
After the check, we signed a cooperation agreement. Our lawyers compiled a list of documents needed to apply for the long-term visa, including:
- A copy of her Russian passport;
- A copy of her international passport;
- A birth certificate copy;
- Marriage certificate;
- Husband’s death certificate;
- Completed visa application form;
- Invitation letter from her daughter;
- Bank statements showing regular income deposits;
- A certificate from her bank confirming a deposit account;
- Medical examination report;
- Health insurance policy with €30,000 minimum coverage;
- A statement of intent not to seek employment in France;
- Proof of consular fee payment;
- Three passport-sized photos taken within the last six months.
The Visiteur Visa Process
Since there was no need to rent or buy property, we saved time and effort. After passing the reliability check, we collected and submitted the documents. Our specialists then had them translated into French by a certified translator and notarized. Meanwhile, Galina arranged her health insurance.
Submitting the Application and Receiving the Visa
Our specialists submitted the document package to the French consulate, paid the €99 consular fee and a €25 stamp duty. We received a response in just over a month.
Visa Registration in France
Thirty-five days later, Galina received her visa stamp. Within 60 days of crossing the border, she had to register her visa on the French Immigration and Integration Office (OFII) website. Since 2019, this procedure has been available online. She also had to pay a €200 tax.
Documents Needed for Registration:
- Applicant’s email;
- The visa;
- Entry date to France (from passport stamp);
- Residential address on record in France;
- Bank card details for tax payment.
After activating her visa, Galina began a new chapter in her life. We closed the case, happy to see her success.
Seven months later, she reached out again, seeking help in finding a driving school. Her daughter had a car, and Galina had a Russian driver’s license. She wanted to take exams and gain the ability to drive legally in France.
Exchanging a Driver’s License in France
As the Russian driver’s license exchange process in France is not very common, we’d like to elaborate. Not everyone knows that a Convention exists between France and Russia. This bilateral agreement allows Russian citizens to exchange their national driver’s licenses for French ones without exams! This is significant because obtaining a driver’s license in France is usually a costly and complex process. One must pass a paid theory test and a practical driving test. If the driving test is not passed within a specific timeframe, the theory test must be retaken, which incurs additional fees and time.
Training, exam fees, and study materials range from €1,200 to €1,800, depending on the region. Each attempt to retake the practical exam costs about €150. Private lessons with an instructor cost around €40 per session.
Foreign residents in France with a valid residence permit can exchange their national licenses for French ones within the first year of residency. The applicant must have held the Visiteur visa for at least six months but not more than a year. To complete the exchange, a request must be submitted to the prefecture.
We explained this to Galina and advised her to exchange her license for a French one while there was still time. She was reluctant to travel just for this purpose, but we assured her it could be done remotely—a successful method we had used before.
Steps Taken by Our Lawyers:
- Prepared a document package, including the Russian driver’s license (translated into French by a sworn translator), proof of legal residence in France (Visiteur visa), proof of residential address on record, and a passport copy.
- Submitted the documents to the prefecture for review.
- Received approval and transferred the original license to an authorized attorney in France for exchange.
While her license was being processed, Galina received a six-month certificate allowing her to drive legally in France. Her new license was delivered to her residential address. If you are in a similar situation, feel free to contact us for assistance!
Client Testimonial
“I would like to sincerely thank the wonderful team at Garant Inn for their help and dedication to my case. I’ve worked with various agencies over the years for visas and other permits, but I’ve never experienced such warm and genuine support! The story with my driver’s license exchange moved me to tears. They saved me time, money, and effort, answered all my questions, and helped me with this complex matter with minimal involvement on my part. I wish you prosperity, success, and grateful clients. Sincerely, Galina S.”
Friends, as you can see, it’s best to tell specialists about all your plans in advance. The license issue came up unexpectedly, and we’re glad we could help. If the legally permitted time window had passed, she would have had no choice but to attend driving school. If you have any additional requests, don’t hesitate to share, and we’ll work together to find solutions.