A few weeks ago, we learned the date of invalidity for the pink book format driving license. The latter must be replaced by the new generation, in bank card format, by January 19, 2033. We explain how to make the request.
A new driving license has been in circulation for several years. Instead of the good old pink notebook, created in 1922 all the same, new license holders are offered a document the size of a bank card. In addition to being compact – and easier to store in your wallet – it is equipped with a chip, which greatly facilitates its use.
Also, the government intends to transition the French to this new generation driving license. For now, there is no obligation to change, but in the long term, we will have to resign ourselves to saying goodbye to the little pink paper. The deadline was announced at the end of summer: it will disappear definitively on January 19, 2033.
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Why change to the new driving license
Given this rather distant date, you are likely wondering why apply for a new driving license. Furthermore, at present, you can only apply for one if your current license has been lost or damaged. That being said, the chipped license has many advantages over its counterpart.
To begin with, as highlighted above, it has a chip as well as a barcode. Thanks to these two elements, its holder can easily check the number of points he has left by going to this address. In addition, let’s not forget that the government and, in general, manufacturers are working hard to digitize this small document on our smartphones, which will only be possible with the chip in question.
On the same subject — The driving license will be 100% digital in 2024, the end of pink paper?
Finally, note that latecomers will be exposed to a fine if they have still not applied for their new driving license after January 2033. The amount of this will amount to 11 euros and can climb up to 38 euros depending on the case. Also, the new driving license suffers from only one real defect compared to its counterpart: its validity period. Like the identity card, it will have to be renewed every 15 years, where the pink paper was valid for life.
How to apply for a new driving license
As we have already explained, there are currently only two ways to obtain the new driving license: by taking the test or by applying to the prefecture. If you already have your driving license, you will therefore have to turn to the second option. But this is not open to just anyone: it is essential to have a good reason to apply for a driving license. Understand by this if your license has been damaged, even lost or stolen. People who have changed their marital status are also eligible.
If you fall into this category, you can take the steps to obtain the new driving license in bank card format. First of all, you will need to have several administrative documents in digital format, namely:
- Your driving license if it has been damaged
- A photo signature
- A proof of identity
- Proof of address less than 6 months old
- A residence permit if you do not have French nationality
Once you have all these documents, here is the procedure to follow to apply for your new driving license:
- Go to the ANTS website
- Click on Request the production of your driving license
- Select the option Loss, theft, damage, end of validity or change of marital status
- Click on Start your process online
- Identify yourself with France Connect
- Click on New request then on Driving license
- Fill out the form then add your scanned documents
Note that producing your new driving license will cost you 25 euros. For the moment, the Ministry of the Interior does not plan to completely replace pink paper before 2033.