FAQs
Below you will find answers to the questions we are most frequently asked by prospective students. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact us directly — our team will be happy to assist you.
Zipee, Enrollment & Administration
Zipee, Enrollment & Administration
Zipee is designed primarily for non-French speakers living in France — expatriates, foreign nationals, and international residents who need to obtain or convert their driving license but would rather do so in English. That said, French speakers are equally welcome and will receive the same quality of service.
Our clients come from all over France, not just Paris and Pau, reflecting the diversity of the international community across the country.
What sets Zipee apart is our team: every one of our staff members has spent a significant amount of time living abroad. We know first-hand what it means to navigate a new country’s administrative systems in a foreign language — and we’ve built Zipee around that experience.
The answer depends primarily on whether you intend to complete your practical driving training with Zipee.
If you plan to take your driving lessons with us, the Starter Package is the right entry point. It covers the first essential steps of the process - theory preparation, theory examination, and an initial driving assessment - and sets you up for the practical training that follows.
If you do not plan to take driving lessons with Zipee — whether because you prefer to arrange practical training independently, or because you live too far from our operating locations in Paris and Pau — the Highway Code package is the right choice. It gives you everything you need to prepare for and sit the French theory examination in English, without the driving component.
If you are unsure, our team is happy to guide you. Reach out through our website !
Getting started is simple. The easiest way is to purchase your chosen package directly from our website — our team will get in touch as soon as your order is confirmed to kick off the service straight away.
You are also welcome to reach out first by phone, email, or through the contact form on our website. Our sales and administrative team is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm — if you contact us outside of those hours, don’t worry: every voicemail, email and contact form submission is read and answered, and we will get back to you on the next working day.
The standard minimum age to sit the French driving license examination is 18 years old. Accompanied driving (AAC) is available from the age of 15 — please refer to the French Driving Licence section for more details.
You will typically need a valid passport or national identity card, proof of residence in France, and a recent passport-sized photograph. Zipee handles your administrative registration with ANTS as part of every package. Our team will provide you with a full document checklist upon enrollment.
Yes. Administrative registration with ANTS (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés), the French authority responsible for issuing driving licenses, is included in all Zipee packages. You do not need to navigate the ANTS platform yourself — our team takes care of it for you.
Yes, in most cases this is possible. Please contact us with the details of your current situation and our team will advise you on the transfer process and any implications for your training or examination rights.
Your training begins as soon as your package is confirmed. Our team will immediately open your access to the online theory platform, ship any physical materials included in your package, and invite you to the next available theory classes — there is no waiting period before you can start learning.
Administrative registration with ANTS runs concurrently with your training and does not need to be completed before you begin. Processing times vary from student to student and depend on factors outside our control, including your department of residence, as applications are handled at a local level. Our team will keep you informed throughout the process and notify you as soon as your registration is validated.
Licence Types
The core offering at Zipee is the standard Permis B. The Starter Package is the entry point into obtaining your Permis B, providing the first essential steps of the process. Have a look at our Services page to find out which package is the most suitable for your situation.
For Permis A, Zipee does not currently hold the necessary approvals and infrastructure to deliver motorcycle license training. That said, we are considering opening a dedicated course for motorcycle theory preparation in the future — watch this space!
For Permis C & D, Zipee does not currently hold the necessary approvals and infrastructure to deliver practical training for heavy vehicle licenses. However, as the written examination for heavy vehicle categories is similar to that of standard cars, Zipee can help with theory preparation and arrange your written examination in English. The Highway Code package is the right entry point for this service — please contact our team to find out more.
Yes. Accompanied driving (AAC) is designed for younger students. From the age of 15, once they have completed their driving course and been signed off by their instructor, they can drive with an approved adult until they turn 17 and sit the official examination. It is one of the most effective ways to build road confidence at an early stage.
Yes. Supervised driving (Conduite Supervisée) is designed for adult students whose progress in the later stages of their training has plateaued and who need additional road experience to develop the level of comfort and maturity expected to succeed at the driving examination. Please contact our team to find out more.
Both options allow students to drive under the supervision of an approved adult licensed driver outside of formal lessons, but they serve very different purposes.
Accompanied driving (AAC) is designed for younger students. From the age of 15, once they have completed their driving course and been signed off by their instructor, they can drive with an approved adult until they turn 17 and sit the official examination. It is one of the most effective ways to build road confidence at an early stage.
Supervised driving, on the other hand, is for adult students whose progress in the final stages of their training has stalled. Once signed off by their instructor, they can accumulate road experience under the supervision of an approved adult driver. Throughout this phase, driving lessons are arranged at regular intervals to monitor progress and ensure the student is developing towards the standard required to pass the examination.
The right option depends on your age, your current driving experience, and your personal circumstances. Our team will be happy to guide you during your initial consultation. As a general rule: if you have never held a license, the AAC route may be the best fit for younger students; if you hold a foreign license that cannot be exchanged, the Starter Package is designed for you.
Yes. The Starter and Highway Code packages cover theory preparation as part of the service, including access to our online theory training platform and live group lessons in English.
Once your enrollment is confirmed, our team will send you your login credentials by email. The platform is accessible from any web browser — simply log in and you can start studying straight away.
Access to the theory training platform is granted for a standard duration of 12 months. If you need more time, extensions are available for an additional fee. Suspensions may also be considered on a case-by-case basis — please contact our team to discuss your situation.
Yes. The platform is fully accessible from any smartphone or tablet, so you can study at your own pace wherever you are. That said, we recommend using a laptop or desktop where possible — images and videos are easier to read on a larger screen and will make for a more comfortable study experience.
Yes. Mock examinations are available on the platform and are also included in our live online group sessions. We strongly encourage all students to complete several mock tests before sitting the official examination — they are one of the best ways to build confidence and identify areas for improvement.
Each package includes one theory test sitting. If you are unsuccessful, an additional sitting can be arranged at an extra cost. Our team will guide you through the re-booking process and your access to the training platform will remain open so you can continue preparing.
Yes. Zipee arranges your theory examination booking on your behalf, including securing a place in a dedicated session for non-French speakers with an accredited interpreter. You do not need to manage the booking process yourself.
Theory - Code de la Route
Driving Lessons
Driving Lessons
This depends on your profile. If you have never held a driving license, French regulations require a minimum number of in-car practice hours before you can sit the examination — 13 hours if you are taking the test in an automatic car, or 20 hours if taking it in a manual gearbox vehicle.
If you already hold a foreign driving license, there is no legally imposed minimum. The number of lessons required will depend on your starting level, which is assessed during your initial one-hour in-car driving assessment. Your instructor will recommend a personalized training plan based on that evaluation.
Driving lessons are booked by our administrative team on your behalf. Once your enrollment is confirmed, we will arrange your lessons based on your availability and that of your instructor. Simply let us know your preferred schedule and we will take care of the rest.
In line with standard practice in France, lessons start and end at our offices. If you would prefer to be picked up or dropped off at a different location, such as your home or workplace, we can arrange this — please note that the travel time between that location and our offices will be deducted from your lesson time.
Yes! Zipee offers driving lessons every day until 7pm, as well as every Saturday, so you can fit your training around your work or personal schedule. If you need a later slot, we can look into arranging this subject to instructor availability — just let our team know and we will do our best to find a solution.
We ask that cancellations be made with at least 48 hours’ notice. Lessons canceled within that window may be subject to a cancellation fee. If your instructor needs to cancel, the lesson will be rescheduled at no cost to you.
The timeline varies depending on your starting level, the frequency of your lessons, and examination availability. On average, students complete the full process within a few months. Your instructor will give you a more personalized estimate once your initial driving assessment has been completed.
Yes. Additional driving hours can be purchased at any point during your training. Your instructor will let you know if they feel additional practice would be beneficial before sitting the examination.
The Driving Exam
The Driving Exam
You can sit the driving examination once you have passed the theory test and your instructor has signed you off as ready. Your instructor will assess your progress throughout your training and will recommend presenting you for the examination when you have reached the required standard.
Zipee handles the booking of your practical examination on your behalf. Once your instructor has confirmed you are ready, our administrative team will arrange the examination booking and keep you informed of the date and location.
The French practical driving examination lasts approximately 32 minutes. During this time, the examiner will assess your ability to drive safely and independently in real traffic conditions, including urban driving, road behavior, hazard awareness, and parking maneuvers.
If you are unsuccessful at the practical examination, your instructor will debrief you on the areas that need improvement. Additional driving lessons can be arranged at the prevailing rate, and a new examination sitting will be booked by our team once your instructor confirms you are ready to resit.
Following an unsuccessful attempt, French regulations require a minimum waiting period before resitting the practical examination. Our team will advise you of the applicable waiting period based on your specific situation and will handle the rebooking process on your behalf.
Your Zipee instructor will accompany you to the examination in the training vehicle. They will be present throughout but will not intervene during the test itself, which is conducted solely between you and the examiner.
The practical driving examination is conducted by an official French examiner and instructions are given in French. However, your Zipee instructor will ensure you are fully familiar with all standard examiner instructions and their English equivalents well before your test date, so you arrive fully prepared and confident.
Pricing & Payment
The Starter Package is comprehensive and you should not expect any additional costs during the theory training phase, with two exceptions: fees relating to a failed theory examination, and fees to extend your 12-month platform access if you have not passed the written examination within the allotted timeframe. Additional costs will arise once you begin the practical driving portion of your training, as driving lessons are billed separately.
Zipee’s prices are displayed on our website and are the same for all clients. That said, the overall cost of the service will vary from one candidate to another, as it depends primarily on the number of driving lessons required to reach the standard of the French driving examination, and any additional training that may be needed in the event of a failed exam.
Yes. We understand that the cost of obtaining a driving licence can represent a significant investment. Please contact our sales team to discuss the payment options available to you and we will do our best to find an arrangement that suits your situation.
Following changes to the legislation governing CPF funding in February 2026, CPF funds are only available to candidates who are either registered as job seekers with France Travail, or whose training is partly funded by their employer. At present, Zipee does not accept CPF funding.
Yes. The Starter Package includes one presentation to the written theory examination, with the assistance of a French-English interpreter. The driving examination is billed separately, once you have passed the theory examination and completed your driving assessment.
Additional driving hours can be purchased at any point during your training. Your instructor will advise you if they feel further practice would be beneficial before sitting the examination. Extra hours are charged at the prevailing rate, as per our applicable pricing grid.
Each package includes one examination sitting. If you are unsuccessful, an additional sitting can be arranged. Examination fees for the resit are payable directly to Zipee. If your instructor recommends additional driving lessons before the resit, these will be charged at the prevailing rate as per our applicable pricing grid. Our team will guide you through the process and advise on the best course of action.
You can reach us by phone, email or through the contact form on our website. Our sales and administrative team is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. If you contact us outside of those hours, every voicemail, email and contact form submission is read and answered, and we will get back to you on the next working day.
Practicalities
Practicalities
