If you’re deep into your move-to-France research, you may already know that Americans from certain states can exchange their driver’s license for a French one—no test.
Some states must make the exchange within your first year of residency in France
If your license is from one of these 18 states—Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Florida, or Connecticut—you’re in luck.
But if your license is from a state not on the list? In that case, getting a French driver’s license means taking a test—likely in French—and possibly attending driving school. Womp-womp.
Most of our clients from non-exchange states choose one of two strategies:
- Secure a license from an exchange state before leaving the U.S.
- Settle in places where driving isn’t necessary and plan any road trips for the first year.
However, there’s another option that we’ve never discussed before—a voiture sans permis, or “car without a permit.” We don’t have anything equivalent in the US, so yesterday it suddenly occurred to me I should talk about these!
The Voiture Sans Permis: A License-Free Alternative
This is the Citroën Ami, a tiny electric car that costs around €7,000.
Anyone over 14 can drive one, as long as they haven’t had their license suspended in France. If you were born before 1988, you don’t even need to take a test. If you were born after, you do—but Juliana, who took it at school, came home laughing about how easy it was. One of the questions? “When you see a pedestrian, do you speed up or stop?” Not exactly rocket science.
Here are the limitations:
- These sans permis cars are not allowed to go faster than 45 km/h (27 mph), so it’s not built for speed.
- You can’t drive it on highways (any road with an “A” in its name).
- You can only take one passenger (there for none of these types of cars have a backseat).
- Many models are electric with small batteries, meaning limited range.
Still, these cars fill a gap.
Living in a small town with most essentials within walking distance? The Ami can get you to the hypermarket on the outskirts. Need to reach a train station in the next village? This could be a solution.
They’re also popping up more in Paris, where their compact size makes them easy to park and maneuver. And for the days you just don’t feel like walking in the rain.
Check out this great review video in French (with English subtitles) or this funny take from a UK reviewer who calls it an “upscale go-kart.”
Another Less Go-Kart Option, the Aixam Microcar
If the Ami feels a little too stripped down, Aixam line of microcars offers a step up. They really are micro cars with similar features to a regular car, but a price tag to match.
Some Aixam models run on gas, while others are electric, giving you more flexibility for range. They look cool I think! We have one I see around our village and it’s this fun looking little thing.
Something funny though… Aixam’s website offers different models—regular, sport, SUV, crossover—but they all look hilariously similar. 😂 Please let me know if I’m missing something. Maybe they changed the tires on the crossover?!?
Driving Off In the Right Choice For You
If you’re in that “almost carless” situation, don’t want to take the French driving test, but need a little extra mobility, a voiture sans permis might be the missing puzzle piece. Not sure where to start? Contact us for a free consultation.
