For foreign nationals, getting behind the wheel in Monaco is uncomplicated during a visit — tourists may use their valid home-country licence throughout their stay. However, once you become an official resident, a one-year window opens in which you must swap your foreign licence for a Monegasque one. Whether a direct exchange is available to you — or whether a full driving test is necessary — hinges on whether your country of origin appears on Monaco’s officially recognised list.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Grace period for residents | 1 year from the date official residency is granted (day 186 of presence) |
| Residency threshold | 185 days or more per calendar year triggers obligation to exchange |
| Exchange deadline | Must apply before end of validity of first residence permit / within 1 year of official resident status |
| Recognised licence exchange | EU/EEA licences and selected third countries — check official list at monservicepublic.gouv.mc |
| IDP conventions accepted | 1926, 1949, and 1968 Convention IDPs all recognised |
| Minimum driving age | 18 years old |
| Fees | Applicable at current rates — check official fee schedule at monservicepublic.gouv.mc (as of 2025) |
| Key authority | Service des Titres de Circulation (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office) |
Can foreign nationals drive in Monaco on their home country licence, and for how long?
The regulations governing foreign licence use in Monaco differ considerably depending on whether you are a temporary visitor or a long-term resident. For those in Monaco on a short-term basis — whether for tourism or business — the situation is relatively flexible. Visitors may drive throughout their stay using a valid foreign driving licence together with an IDP, as long as the IDP has not expired. If your licence was issued by a country that is party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, an IDP may not be required at all (see the relevant section below).
For individuals who take up long-term residence, stricter rules come into effect, tied to a specific calendar-based threshold. A person who holds a foreign driving licence that is recognised by the Principality of Monaco, who is an officially recognised resident in the Principality and present 185 days or more per calendar year, must submit a request to exchange his or her licence at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office.
It is important to understand that official resident status does not begin on the day of arrival — it is conferred after a set period of presence in the Principality. Official resident status is granted on the 186th day after arrival in the Principality. To illustrate with an example: if you move to Monaco on 1 January 2023, your official resident status begins on 6 July 2023, and you then have from 6 July 2023 until 5 July 2024 to submit your licence exchange request.
Should this request not be submitted within one year of acquiring official resident status, the foreign permit will no longer be valid, and its holder will lose all rights to drive a vehicle in the Principality. This is an absolute deadline with meaningful consequences, so residents are strongly advised to plan well in advance rather than delaying until the last moment.
For short visits to Monaco — whether for leisure or business — none of this applies, and you can drive freely provided your licence is from a country included on the official list. Tourists therefore face no administrative requirements, so long as their national licence remains valid.
Does Monaco have licence exchange agreements with other countries?
Monaco recognises driving licences from a specified set of countries, allowing holders to swap those licences for a Monegasque one without undergoing a full driving test. The legal basis for this is set out in a Ministerial Order. The list of countries for which exchange is permitted is defined by Ministerial Order No. 2019-638 of 31 July 2019, as subsequently amended by Ministerial Order No. 2020-361 of 11 May 2020.
Licences issued by EU and EEA countries are included among those recognised for exchange. Holders of a driving licence from an EU or EEA member state can therefore exchange it directly for a Monaco driving licence. Given the close relationship between Monaco and France, and Monaco’s adoption of road traffic regulations that closely mirror the French system, this broad recognition of European licences fits within the wider European framework — much as EU member states mutually accept one another’s licences.
Certain non-EU countries also feature on the recognised list, though the composition of that list may change over time. You should always verify whether your specific country of issue currently appears on the official list before starting the exchange process. The relevant table of recognised countries is published on the official Monaco government service portal. The official list is available through the Monaco Mon Service Public portal.
Anyone who holds a foreign driving licence that is not recognised by the Principality of Monaco must register with a driving school to be able to sit the theory and practical driving tests. This is equivalent to obtaining a first licence from scratch and is addressed in the section below. If you are uncertain whether your licence is eligible for exchange, contact the Service des Titres de Circulation (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office) before drawing any conclusions.
Since 23 April 2022, all the categories shown on foreign driving licences are included on the Monegasque driving licence, provided they are still valid. However, this change does not apply to foreign driving licences exchanged prior to that date, and only licence categories obtained following a driving test will be transferred. This is a significant update for those who have recently moved to Monaco — it means that if your foreign licence covers several vehicle categories (for example, both cars and motorcycles), all categories that remain valid should be carried over to your new Monegasque licence.
How do you exchange or convert a foreign driving licence in Monaco?
The licence exchange process is administered by the Service des Titres de Circulation and — as of 2025 — can be initiated online, making it considerably more convenient than comparable procedures in many other jurisdictions. With their residence permit, residents can access the online portal via the MConnect service to complete this procedure. Every year, more than 700 foreign driving licences are exchanged for Monegasque driving licences. The online service walks users through entering the required information and generates a personalised list of documents to be supplied. Once an application has been accepted, there is just one remaining step: attending the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office in person to carry out the physical licence swap.
The procedure varies slightly according to whether you apply within the one-year window or have allowed that deadline to pass. Residents who have missed the one-year deadline are not required to take all of the theoretical and practical driving tests in the Principality — instead, they must undertake a driving aptitude assessment. This is a more measured approach than being required to start entirely from scratch, though it does represent an additional burden compared with exchanging within the required timeframe.
The standard step-by-step procedure for exchanging a recognised foreign licence within the required period is set out below:
- Check eligibility: Confirm your licence is from a country on Monaco’s official exchange list (published on monservicepublic.gouv.mc) and that you hold official resident status.
- Gather your documents: You will need either a valid national passport with proof of address (such as a gas or electricity bill from the SMEG, or a rental agreement dated within the last 3 months), or for residents, a valid residence permit (both sides), plus the original of your valid foreign driving licence.
- Obtain a certificate of entitlement: You will also need a copy of a certificate from the issuing country confirming that the right to drive has not been suspended or withdrawn, dated within the last 3 months. This is broadly equivalent to a “driving record” or “licence check” certificate of the kind required in countries such as France or Spain when exchanging a foreign licence.
- Arrange translations if necessary: A translation into French by a sworn translator at the Monaco Court of Appeal or a French Court of Appeal is required for licences issued outside the EU, proving entitlement to drive. If the issuing country is not a signatory to the Hague Convention, diplomatic or consular legalisation of the translation will be required.
- Provide a recent photograph: A recent, coloured ID photo dated within the last 6 months, on a light background, frontal view, bareheaded, of size 35×45mm, not scanned, is required.
- Medical certificate if applicable: If you are over 70, or entitled to drive certain categories of heavy vehicles, a medical certificate issued within the past 3 months by a doctor in the Principality of Monaco who is authorised to conduct medical examinations to determine fitness to drive is required; the certificate must include a photo overwritten by the doctor’s signature.
- Submit your application: Requests to exchange a foreign driving licence for a Monegasque driving licence must be made to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office using the appropriate form (form STC010), duly completed and signed in original by the applicant. This can be initiated online via MonGuichet.mc.
- Attend your appointment: If your dossier is accepted, you will be contacted within a maximum of one month to make an appointment, at which point the exchange of your driving licence and payment take place.
- Surrender your original licence: The Monegasque driving licence is issued at the appointment in exchange for the original of your foreign driving licence. This is standard practice in most European licence exchange systems — the original foreign licence is retained by the issuing authority.
A fee is payable for this procedure in line with the current applicable rates. The specific fee schedule is published on the official government portal — check monservicepublic.gouv.mc for the most up-to-date figures, as fees are revised periodically.
How do you apply for a driving licence in Monaco from scratch?
If your licence was issued by a country that Monaco does not recognise for exchange purposes — or if you have never held a driving licence at all — you will be required to go through the complete process of obtaining a Monegasque driving licence from the beginning. This entails enrolling with a driving school, passing a theory examination, and completing a practical driving test.
To be eligible to apply, you must satisfy certain fundamental conditions. To obtain a driving licence in Monaco, you must meet certain conditions: firstly, you must be at least 18 years old; secondly, you must be of Monegasque nationality or hold a resident’s card. This means that visitors and short-term visa holders are not permitted to sit the Monaco driving test — official residency is a prerequisite.
To apply for a Monaco licence, a candidate must register with a driving school, where a dossier (file) is opened. Monaco has a small number of approved driving schools — the Service des Titres de Circulation can provide details. The Request for a national and/or international driving licence (form STC/010) should be filled in and brought to one of the driving schools along with supporting documents, including a copy of the residence permit.
After enrolling with a driving school, the candidate must complete both a theory component and a practical driving test. The driving school registers the candidate for the driving skills test with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office. The school notifies the candidate of the date, time, and location of the test, which is conducted by a Driving Licence and Road Safety Inspector using a vehicle supplied by the driving school and in the presence of one of its representatives. The candidate must bring valid proof of identity (Monaco identity card or residence permit) and will be told the outcome immediately upon completion of the test.
In the event of a postponement or re-sit, the administrative fee must be paid by bank cheque made payable to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office and submitted to the driving school. After a statutory period of 10 days, candidates should contact the driving school once more to arrange a new appointment.
Fees for theory and practical tests, as well as driving school tuition costs, are not set centrally — they vary according to the school and the type of test involved. There is a fee associated with this procedure in accordance with the current applicable rates. Always consult the official fee schedule on monservicepublic.gouv.mc and contact individual driving schools directly regarding tuition costs. The process is broadly comparable in structure to obtaining a first licence in France, given the shared road traffic regulatory framework between the two countries.
How do you renew a driving licence in Monaco?
Monaco driving licences are not issued with open-ended validity — they must be renewed at regular intervals. The renewal period depends on the category of licence in question. The driving licence, of whatever category, has time-limited validity and should therefore be renewed regularly at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office.
The driving licence for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, and B is valid until the age of 70, unless there are medical contraindications. It can then be renewed for a maximum period of 5 years on presentation of a medical certificate. For standard car licences, this means no renewal is required until the holder turns 70 — a more lenient arrangement than that found in several other European countries, where licences must be renewed every 10 years irrespective of age.
The driving licence for categories in the BE, C, D, CE, DE heavy vehicles group and for persons with a physical disability that necessitates adaptations to the controls of the vehicle has a limited validity. Consult the official portal for the specific validity periods applicable to these categories, as they are subject to more frequent review.
To renew a Monaco driving licence, you will need to complete form STC010 and submit it to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office. You must supply either a valid Monaco identity card or a copy of a national passport with proof of address dated within the last 3 months, together with the original of the medical certificate issued within the past 3 months by an authorised doctor in the Principality of Monaco.
Renewals are handled in person by appointment at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office. Once your renewal application has been submitted, you will be issued a driving licence valid for 15 days (within the limit of its original validity), allowing you to continue driving while the new licence is being processed. This interim provision serves as a practical safeguard — comparable to the temporary authorisation documents issued during renewal procedures in France and other neighbouring countries.
Payment may be made by cash, cheque, postal order (clearable in Monaco or France), or Visa or Mastercard bank cards only, in accordance with the current fee schedule. Specific renewal fees should be confirmed on the official portal at monservicepublic.gouv.mc, as rates are subject to change. There are no specific differences in the renewal process for foreign nationals compared to Monegasque citizens — once a Monaco licence has been issued, the same renewal rules apply to all holders.
Is an International Driving Permit valid in Monaco?
Monaco accepts International Driving Permits (IDPs) issued under all three principal international road traffic conventions. Monaco is a contracting party to both the Geneva Convention of 19 September 1949 on Road Traffic (having acceded on 3 August 1951) and the Vienna Convention of 8 November 1968 on Road Traffic (having acceded on 6 June 1978). Monaco recognises IDPs under both the 1-year (1949 Convention) and 3-year (1968 Convention) formats, and also recognises IDPs issued under the 1926 International Convention, valid for 1 year.
An IDP does not stand alone as a driving document — it serves as a multilingual translation of your national licence. An international driving licence does not replace a driver’s licence; it accompanies it and acts as an official certificate of validity of the national licence. Both your IDP and your national licence must be carried with you whenever you drive.
For visitors, the IDP functions primarily as a supporting document alongside a foreign national licence. Visitors may drive in Monaco using a valid foreign driving licence accompanied by an IDP for the duration of their stay, provided the IDP remains valid. That said, Monaco has harmonised its driving licence system in accordance with the 1968 Vienna Convention, which means that if you hold a driver’s licence from one of the 67 countries that have done the same, you do NOT need an International Driving Permit to drive in Monaco.
For those relocating to Monaco, the IDP is only relevant as a short-term measure. Anyone who holds a foreign driving licence and establishes their residence in the Principality must apply for a Monaco driving licence within one year — at which point the relevance of an IDP ceases entirely. An IDP cannot be treated as an alternative to the licence exchange that is mandatory for residents.
The validity period of an IDP depends on the convention under which it was issued: one year (1926 and 1949 Conventions) or three years (1968 Convention). Visitors to Monaco who intend to drive and whose licence is not in French or another widely recognised language are advised to obtain an IDP from the appropriate authority in their home country before travelling.
What are the penalties for driving licence offences in Monaco?
Monaco takes a firm approach to road safety and motoring compliance — as one would expect from a densely populated principality characterised by narrow roads and heavy traffic. The penalty system for motoring offences in Monaco is strict, so it is important to follow the rules of the road to avoid any penalties. Both residents and visitors are expected to have valid documentation in their possession at all times.
The gravest consequence relating to licences is the total loss of the right to drive. If a resident does not make the exchange request within one year of obtaining official resident status, the foreign permit will no longer be valid, and its holder will lose all rights to drive a vehicle in the Principality. This is not a financial penalty — it is an outright removal of driving entitlement, with obvious practical implications for everyday life.
For residents who have allowed the one-year exchange deadline to pass but who held a licence from a recognised country, a recovery route does exist. Residents who have missed this one-year deadline are not required to take all of the theoretical and practical driving tests in the Principality — they must instead undergo a driving aptitude assessment, which is considerably less demanding than a full retest. Enrolment at a Monaco driving school and a minimum of 3 hours of driving lessons are mandatory conditions to access this alternative route.
Driving on an expired or otherwise invalid foreign licence — or having failed to exchange a recognised licence within the prescribed period — exposes a resident to the complete loss of driving rights in Monaco. Monaco’s road traffic regulations are codified in its Code de la route, which closely mirrors French traffic law. Specific fines and penalty point thresholds for licence-related offences are subject to change; readers should verify current penalties directly with the Service des Titres de Circulation or the Direction de la Sûreté Publique (Monaco’s police authority). Always check the most recent applicable rules on the official Monaco government portal.
It is also worth bearing in mind that Monaco operates within the Schengen Area and maintains close law-enforcement cooperation with France. Motoring offences and licence penalties recorded in Monaco may therefore carry cross-border implications, particularly for residents who drive regularly in France as well.
Which government departments or agencies handle driving licences in Monaco?
All matters relating to driving licences in Monaco — including exchanges, renewals, new applications, and international driving licences — are managed by a single central authority. Monaco driving licences are issued by the Service des Titres de Circulation. This body is the equivalent of a DVLA (UK), DMV (US), or préfecture licensing office (France) — the sole administrative gateway for all vehicle and driver licensing within the Principality.
The Service des Titres de Circulation is responsible for administering requests relating to vehicles registered in the Principality of Monaco, organising tests and issuing driving licences, and maintaining relations with driving professionals and professionals involved in transporting people and goods by road.
Visits to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office are by appointment only. Appointments can be arranged online. The department offers a range of online services in both French and English via MonGuichet.mc under the “Transport” section, including booking appointments, exchanging a foreign driving licence for a Monaco driving licence, and requesting a restitution of rights.
Contact details and access information for the Service des Titres de Circulation are as follows:
- Address (as of 2025): 23, Avenue Albert II, 98 000 Monaco — note that the office was scheduled to relocate in May 2025, so confirm the current address on the official portal before visiting.
- Telephone: (+377) 98 98 80 14 (Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm)
- Email: [email protected]
- Online portal: monservicepublic.gouv.mc
- Online appointment and services: monguichet.mc
The Service des Titres de Circulation operates under the Ministry of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development (Département de l’Équipement, de l’Environnement et de l’Urbanisme). For matters connected with road traffic enforcement, penalties, and lost or stolen licences, the Direction de la Sûreté Publique (Monaco’s police authority) is the appropriate point of contact. The official government portal at gouv.mc provides a comprehensive directory of all government departments and their respective areas of responsibility.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive in Monaco with my current foreign driving licence?
Yes, provided you are visiting Monaco as a tourist or short-term traveller and your national licence is valid, you may drive throughout your stay. If your home country is a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, you do not need an IDP. Once you become an official resident — from day 186 of your presence in Monaco — you have one year in which to exchange your licence for a Monegasque one.
Do I need to retake my driving test in Monaco?
If you hold a foreign driving licence that is recognised by the Principality of Monaco and you are an officially recognised resident present 185 days or more per year, you can exchange your licence without sitting a test. Anyone who holds a foreign driving licence that is not recognised by Monaco must register with a driving school to sit the theory and practical driving tests.
How long does it take to get a Monaco driving licence by exchange?
Once a completed dossier has been accepted, the applicant will be contacted within a maximum of one month to arrange an appointment for the exchange. Assembling all the required documents — particularly certified translations and the certificate confirming that your driving entitlement has not been suspended — can take additional time, so it is advisable to allow several weeks for the complete process.
Does my EU driving licence automatically transfer to a Monaco licence?
EU and EEA licences are among those recognised for exchange in Monaco, which means no driving test is required. However, the transfer is not automatic — you must formally apply within one year of acquiring official resident status, submit all the necessary documentation, attend an in-person appointment, and hand over your original EU licence in return for a Monegasque one.
What happens if I miss the one-year licence exchange deadline in Monaco?
If the exchange request is not submitted within one year of obtaining official resident status, the foreign permit ceases to be valid and the holder forfeits all rights to drive in Monaco. Nevertheless, residents who have missed this deadline are not required to take all of the theoretical and practical driving tests — they must instead complete a driving aptitude assessment. Enrolment at a Monaco driving school and a minimum of 3 hours of driving lessons are mandatory conditions to access this route.
Can I use an International Driving Permit instead of exchanging my licence?
No. An IDP is an accompanying document that supplements your national licence — it cannot be used as a substitute for the licence exchange that Monaco residents are required to complete. Anyone who holds a foreign driving licence and establishes their residence in the Principality must apply for a Monaco driving licence within one year. An IDP is relevant for visitors and for holders of a Monaco licence who wish to drive abroad.
How often does a Monaco driving licence need to be renewed?
The driving licence for standard categories (AM, A1, A2, A, B1, and B) remains valid until the holder reaches the age of 70, unless there are medical contraindications, and may then be renewed for a maximum period of 5 years upon presentation of a medical certificate. Heavy vehicle and adapted vehicle licence categories are subject to shorter validity periods — consult the official portal for current details.
Where do I go in Monaco to exchange or renew my driving licence?
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office operates on an appointment-only basis, between 9:30 am and 5:00 pm. Appointments can be made online via MonGuichet.mc, and the office can be reached by telephone at (+377) 98 98 80 14 or by email at [email protected]. Full details of all driving licence services are available at monservicepublic.gouv.mc.