Hi All.

Has anyone figured out a way to exchange a California driver's license for an International driver's license or French driver's license without taking the driving school and driving examinations and paying lot's of dough?

Thanks.
Brett

There is no way to do that; just grin and bare it, it's not all that expensive and you'll actually benefit from the schooling.
Driving in France is dangerous compared to the States. Play along and staaaaaay alive !

I thought California had a reciprocity agreement with France whereby you could exchange your Calif. license and automatically receive a French one without taking any driver's tests, but only if you do it within the 1-year time period of obtaining your legal papers in France. I know Illinois and France have this agreement, but alas I never thought I would stay this long, stupid of me not to have done it.

Have a look at this page http://paris.angloinfo.com/countries/france/exlicence.asp for info about exchanging driving licences. Hope it helps.

I'm in the same situation. You have to take the French driver test in order to get a French driver license... there is no other way and you have 1 year to do so.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Unfortunately, California does not have an agreement with France to exchange my license (only some states do), so I'll be taking driving school and the test.

Cheers.

If you have a valid California license and you have been in France less than 1 year, you don't have to take the full driving class. You simply have to pass the written test and they suggest you take driving school to help pass that part. It is possible to get study materials at the library and do it on your own if you'd like to save some dough, but I hear the tests are quite complicated. Also, if you fail and haven't taken the school, the wait to re-take the test is apparently longer. Good luck!