Pink driving license: it will become invalid, here is the mandatory date to change it

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It's almost the end of an era for French drivers, and especially those over 30 years old. The pink, cardboard driving license, issued before 2013, will soon be replaced by the driving license in blue card format – more practical and more secure. It is already available in most European countries and the United States.

The advantages of the new license

The pink driving license – which dates from 1922 – is a large format document with 3 panels which is no longer adapted to current standards. It is easily damaged (the shutters come off easily), falsifiable and not recognized internationally. It also does not allow you to consult the number of points remaining on your license.

Since 2013, the driving license in blue card format has been implemented for new holders. This is a laminated document, the size of a bank card. For drivers, it also allows you to check your license points balance online – which is quite practical. Note that it can also be recorded on a smartphone. In the end, all the lights are green for this new format: there is therefore no longer any reason to use the old pink driving license. The only advantage of the latter: it had an unlimited period of validity compared to 15 years for the blue card format.

When and how to change your license?

Holders of the pink license have until January 19, 2033 to apply for the new driving license. After this date, the pink license will no longer be valid and drivers will be liable to a fine of 11 euros for failure to present the license, which may be increased to 38 euros. If no valid driving license is presented, the fine could be up to 135 euros. The vehicle can also be immobilized.

For the moment, it isnot necessary to take steps to change your license except in the event of loss, theft or damage to the document< /strong>. In these cases, you must go to the ANTS website (National Agency for Secure Titles) and pay 25 euros to obtain the new permit. Otherwise, the new driving license is free. The Ministry of the Interior specifies that “no decision has been taken concerning its replacement before 2033”.