French driving theory test
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Forty questions, thirty-five to pass, about half an hour: that is the French code de la route theory exam. Practise it here in English, with official-style questions, a real timer and an explanation after every answer - so you know the rule, not just the box to tick.
Built for people learning in English
Official-style questions
Over a thousand questions matching the official format, sorted by topic and lesson, written from the French Highway Code in force.
Explained in plain English
French traffic law is written in French. Each answer here explains the rule in English, including the terms you will meet at the test centre.
Free to start
Your first practice sets need no account and no card details. Register only if you want your progress saved.
What the exam actually looks like
The French theory exam (the épreuve théorique générale, or code) has 40 questions. Each is shown on screen, and you have roughly twenty seconds to answer. The whole sitting takes about thirty minutes.
The rule is simple: every wrong question costs you that question. You start from 40 and need 35 correct answers or more to pass, so you can afford at most five mistakes.
| Situation | Correct answers | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 5 mistakes | 35/40 | Pass, just |
| 6 mistakes | 34/40 | Fail |
| Pass mark | 35/40 | Five mistakes of margin |
Can you take the theory exam in English in France?
The official code exam is run in French. There is no English-language version of the state exam itself, but you have options if your French is limited.
Some approved operators allow you to sit the exam with a sworn translator, under conditions and at an extra cost. Practising in English first, then switching to French vocabulary before the day, is the most common path - the questions and the marking scheme are the same, only the language of the wording changes.
Full detail on languages, operators and translators: taking the French theory exam in English.
What newcomers get wrong most often
Drivers who already hold a licence elsewhere tend to fail on the specifically French rules rather than on general driving knowledge. Four of them account for most of it.
- Priority to the right. France applies it widely in town. Unless a sign says otherwise, the vehicle on your right goes first - including cars that look like they are joining a bigger road.
- Speed limits differ by road type. Since 2018, two-way roads without a central divider are limited to 80 km/h (90 in départements that reverted), which surprises many drivers.
- Stopping is not parking. French law separates the two, with different rules; the exam wording plays on that difference.
- Bus lanes, cycle lanes and priority for trams follow rules that have no equivalent in many licence systems.
Who needs to pass it
Anyone applying for a first French driving licence must pass the code exam before they can take the practical test. You can sit it from the age of 17 (from 15 under accompanied driving, conduite accompagnée).
If you already hold a licence issued in another EU or EEA country, you can normally use or exchange it without any exam. Licences from outside the EU may be exchangeable depending on the issuing country, or may require both the code and the practical test. The rules change, so confirm your case with your préfecture or on the ANTS site before you start revising.
The French code exam in numbers
- 40 — questions
- 35/40 — to pass
- ~30 min — duration
- €30 — per attempt
How to pass the French theory test
- Learn the road signs first Signs account for roughly a third of the questions and require recognition rather than reasoning. They are the fastest points to secure.
- Master priority rules Priority to the right and its exceptions cause more failures than any other chapter. Practise them on their own until the answer is automatic.
- Move to timed mock exams Forty questions in one sitting, about twenty seconds each, no going back. This is what the real exam feels like.
- Book when you pass three in a row Three consecutive mock exams above 37/40, on different question sets. One good score can be luck; three cannot.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the French driving theory test in English?
The official code exam is held in French. Some approved operators offer a session with a sworn translator; availability varies, so check when booking.
How many questions are there and how many can I get wrong?
Forty questions, and you need 35 correct out of 40. Each question counts for one point, so you can afford at most five mistakes.
How much does the theory exam cost in France?
€30 per attempt, a fixed state fee since the exam was opened to approved operators. Every retake is paid again.
What happens if I fail?
You can book another attempt and pay the €30 fee again. There is no mandatory course after a set number of fails; you retake as many times as needed.
Is this practice test free?
Yes, you can start without an account or card details. An account saves your progress and your per-topic scores.
Do I need to be a French resident to take the exam?
You generally need to be registered with an ANTS account and provide proof of residence. Requirements depend on your status, so check on the ANTS site before booking.