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In brief
Section actions
Duration: Probation period: 2 or 3 years without offence
Cost: Recovery course: 250–300 €
Possible online

Who this guide is for

Section actions
  • You if you have just obtained the permit (via car-school or exchange)
  • You if you want to understand the restrictions and rules
  • You if you have an offence and want to know the impact on the trial

To be prepared in advance

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  • Cerfa 02 — certificate of obtaining the permit
  • Accurate date of obtaining permit (for the end of probationary period)
  • Disc "A" (adhesive) for rear bezel

Step-by-step procedure

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  1. 1Without further training, the probationary period lasts 3 years with the other apprenticeship formulas and 2 years after AAFC. It starts on the date of obtaining the permit. Additional training may reduce it to 2 years, or 1 years and 6 months after AAFC, under conditions.
  2. 2For a probationary permit obtained for the first time or after a cancellation or invalidation, the starting capital is 6 points. Without infringing a withdrawal, the increase is 2 points per year with the other formulas (8, 10 then 12 points in 3 years) and 3 points per year after AAFC (9 then 12 points in 2 years). With further training, consult the official schedule below.
  3. 3Speed restrictions of the probationary permit, under normal conditions: 50 km/h in agglomeration, 80 km/h on roads without a central separator, 100 km/h on roads with separate carriageways and 110 km/h on highway (100 km/h on motorway sections limited to less than 130 km/h). Drivers who have obtained a new licence after cancellation or invalidation without retesting the practical test are subject to the exception of article R413-6. Signalling, rain or low visibility may impose lower limits.
  4. 4Alcoholemia: 0,2 g/l of blood (0,10 mg/l of expired air) for probation — stricter than 0,5 for others. Exceedance = fine + withdrawal of points + possible suspension of permit.
  5. 5"A" disc: mandatory at the rear of the vehicle during the probationary period, except for drivers subject to the exception of section R413-6 (new permit after cancellation or invalidation without practical testing). His absence constitutes a violation of 2nd class (flat-rate fine of 35 €), without withdrawal of point for this single breach.
  6. 6Astounding: absolute prohibition (as for all). Positive test = fine + 6 points + suspension of permit.
  7. 7Points recovery course: in case of loss of points (minimum 1), you can take an internship (2 days, 250–300 €) in certified auto-school. Get 4 points. Maximum 1 internship/year.
  8. 8In the case of infringements: each offence = fine + withdrawal of points (from 1 to 6 depending on gravity). If you lose all 6 points — cancelled permit (to be completely ironed, via the exam).
  9. 9Probation extension: in the case of a first responsible offence with withdrawal ≥3 points — the end of the probation period is extended from 6 months to 1 year. In case of second — longer extension or even further examination.
  10. 10At the end of the probationary period, no steps should be taken. You reach 12 points if you have not lost any; otherwise, you keep the remaining balance and can recover points according to the applicable rules.
  11. 11For a foreign exchange permit, do not assume that the driver automatically receives 12 points or loses his probationary status: if the original permit was probative, the French permit remains probative and his seniority is taken into account. Check whether the country and category can be exchanged; Russia is listed in the Ministry of the Interior of the 1er May 2026 for all categories.

Common mistakes

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  • Believing that you can drive to 0,5 g/l — for the test is 0,2 g/l, stricter.
  • Forget the "A" disk when it is mandatory for your situation — 2nd class violation, without point removal for this single failure.
  • Ignoring the loss of points — may lead to the cancellation of the permit.
  • Do not do a recovery internship within one year of the loss — the right is lost until the following year.
  • An excess of 20 to 29 km/h results in a withdrawal of 2 points; from 30 to 39 km/h, 3 points. The scale is the same, but more burdensome on a reduced probationary balance.
  • Believing that an exchangeable foreign permit automatically gives 12 points: if it was probationary, seniority is taken into account and the French permit remains probationary.

Official sources

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Show sources in this section

Useful links

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Withdrawal of pointsStage recovery pointsTransport Section

Important remark

The probationary permit is governed by the Highway Traffic Code. Indicative information; your status on telepoints.permisdeconduction.gouv.fr.

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