I had requested a new license because the one I had dated from 1981 and had a picture of me on it that was fairly unrecognizable. It also gave my address as a street in Paris where I lived in the late 1970s and early '80s. I wanted a license with a current photo and my current address on it. French driver's licenses are good for life and never have to be renewed, by the way.
The new French driver's license is labeled as such inmany languages, including (British) English.
When I took the old license, the completed form, and new photos to the mairie three weeks ago, the clerk told me she thought the only valid reasons for requesting a new, updated driver's license were loss of the original or damage to it — accidentally running it through the washing machine, for example. My old license was in pristine condition. "They'll probably refuse your request," the clerk said.
Never mind that on the official form that a different clerk at the mairie had given me a few weeks earlier, there were three checkboxes under the category Reasons for Requesting a Replacement License: (1) lost original, (2) damaged original, and (3) change of name or address. The clerk went ahead and sent in the form, just shrugging her shoulders when I insisted and persisted.
So now I have it. In France, it doesn't matter, but in the U.S. I'll feel better having a license with a picture that looks like me (even if it also looks like a mug shot) and that carries my current address. The next time we go, I'll be renting a car. Walt and I both have French "driving licences" and neither of us has an unexpired U.S. license any more.
I've erased a lot of the personal information on my new license,but you can see what a French permis de conduire looks like.
The news yesterday, coincidentally, reported that 25% fewer people died in traffic accidents in February 2012 compared to February 2011. I'm sure that's because of the two week spell of snowy, frigid weather we had starting February 1. It discouraged people from driving, and encouraged drivers not to speed.
Along with that good news about highway fatalities, the news also reports that fully three-quarters of the people killed in car accidents are men, and that 90% of the penalty points given to drivers for rules infractions go to men. Women, it turns out, are much more careful drivers than men — despite, the news reader on TéléMatin said a moment ago, all the old stereotypes. Too many men on the roads of France are daredevils.
I almost said (about your old license): "I hope you photocopied it for a souvenir!" duuuh :)) This I thought AS I was looking at your scanned photo of it :))
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it feels like a bit of a relief to have that new, updated license. The last thing you'd want would be to be in the U.S. these days with a license that is rejected by everyone.
You usually take a trip "home" around March sometime, don't you? Plans in the works?
Judy
Many people might not know that in France, a "carte d'identité" is what is used mostly unlike the driving license we present for proof of identity in the US. I wonder if it is the same in other countries?
ReplyDeleteThe license looks so bulky,
ReplyDeletenot something you can just
slip in your wallet like our
laminated cards.
Too many accidents in France are down to alcohol, too - horrible accident in Romorantin earlier this week wiped out mother, father and two kiddies. Father (driver) and other driver involved both drunk as skunks. So sad.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I wish I could have kept that old license as a souvenir, but as you said I do have the scans. On the other subject, I will probably go to N.C. in the fall this year.
ReplyDeleteNadège, I don't know if other countries besides France have the carte d'identité nationale. I imagine many do.
Tim, I heard about the Romo accident. Horrible.
congrats!
ReplyDeleteI thought the EU standard was now a card like a credit card? (I still have my old paper one in the UK, not having had or even driven a car for umpteen years). Here it's an offence not to report changes of address - in the old days that meant a new paper one would be sent to you . I'm not sure what the position is now we have the credit-card type - but I think my paper one will run out when I reach 65, so no doubt I shall find out (I've a feeling I may have to be re-tested at some point as well).
ReplyDelete