What is the 'permis a 1 euro par jour' scheme?

The 'permis a 1 euro par jour' (driving licence at €1/day) is a zero-interest state loan scheme for young people aged 15 to 25 to help finance their driving licence. The loan is paid directly to the approved driving school. Repayment starts 6 months after obtaining the licence at €1/day (approximately €30/month). All young people aged 15-25 are eligible, regardless of income. Apply at any driving school participating in the scheme before starting lessons.

Can international students benefit from driving licence aid?

The 'permis a 1 euro par jour' is open to all young people aged 15-25 residing in France, including international students with a valid residence permit. For regional grants, eligibility conditions vary by region — some require French nationality or EU status, while others are open to all legal residents. Check with your regional council or CCAS.

How much does it cost to get a driving licence in France?

The average cost of a driving licence (permis B) in France is €1,200 to €1,800, depending on the number of lessons needed. Code de la route (theory test): approximately €30 using an online platform. Driving lessons: approximately €35 to €45 per hour. Administrative fees: approximately €80. Accompanied driving (conduite accompagnee) from age 15 is cheaper and often faster.

Driving Licence Aid — Financial Assistance for Students in France

'Permis a 1 euro par jour' zero-interest loan for 15-25 year olds — regional grants of €300-700 also available

Obtaining a French driving licence (permis de conduire) is expensive (€1,200 to €1,800 on average). Several financial assistance programs exist for young people and students.

Main programs

1. 'Permis a 1 euro par jour' (zero-interest state loan)

Who: all young people aged 15 to 25 residing in France
Amount: loan of €600 to €1,200 (car), repaid at €1/day (approximately €30/month) starting 6 months after obtaining the licence
Interest: 0% (zero-interest government scheme)
Application: at a participating driving school before starting lessons
Not nationality-specific: open to all young people residing in France with a valid bank account

2. Regional grants

Several French regions offer direct grants for driving licences:

Ile-de-France: no specific regional grant (Navigo Pass covers most transport needs)
Normandie, Bretagne, Centre-Val de Loire: grants of €300 to €700 for students with modest resources
Other regions: check on your regional council website — programs change regularly

3. Action Logement (work-study students)

Work-study students (alternants) enrolled in an apprenticeship contract may receive specific mobility support from their CFA (Centre de Formation des Apprentis), which sometimes includes driving licence assistance.

For international students specifically

If you have a foreign driving licence from a country with a bilateral agreement with France, you may exchange it for a French licence without retaking the full test. Countries with exchange agreements include: Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Senegal, Japan, South Korea, Canada, USA (certain states), and many others. Check on the prefecture website for the current list and procedure.

Driving Licence Aid — Financial Help for Students