The French Driving Test — Pass the Practical Exam (PDF)

Taking the driving test in France? Everything happens in 32 minutes, in French. This guide explains how the examiner scores you, which mistakes fail you on the spot, and how to arrive ready on the day.

According to the French road safety agency, 59.9% of practical tests were passed in 2025: about 4 in 10 end in a fail, often because of an eliminating mistake.

What you get

• The English edition in PDF, plus the original French edition
• How the exam runs and the 31-point scoring grid, explained simply
• The eliminating mistakes, with concrete situations
• The common French instructions the examiner uses, with their meaning
• The last week and the big day: documents, vehicle checks, questions, stress
• If you fail: your result, your score sheet, when you can retake, how to appeal
• Paying less in 2026: what was scrapped, the CPF rules, the 1-euro-a-day loan
• 4 printable tools: progress log, eliminating mistakes sheet, day-of checklist, funding plan

Contents

1. How the exam works
2. The eliminating mistakes
3. Being ready before you take it
4. The last week and test day
5. During the exam
6. If you fail
7. Paying less

Who is it for?

English speakers taking the French category B (car) driving test. If you already hold a foreign licence, check first whether you can exchange it: the guide shows where.

Important

This guide does not replace driving school training or the examiner's instructions, and no pass is guaranteed. Rules in force on 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How do I receive the guide?
Right after payment, by email, with your download links: the English edition and the French edition.

Can I read it on my phone?
Yes. It's a PDF: it opens on phone, tablet and computer, and the tools can be printed.

What if the file doesn't work?
Write to us through the Contact page: we'll replace it or refund you. The conditions are in our refund policy.