‘No-licence’ cars: six rules to know in France in 2025

They may not need a licence to drive, but ‘no licence’ cars are still subject to several strict rules in France, to ensure the safety of the vehicles’ (often-young) drivers and other road users. 

The service-public website states that a licence is not required to drive the following vehicles:

• Electric cars with a maximum power of 1 kW
• Vehicles participating in training, sporting events or competitions in an approved venue closed to public traffic. All participants must have a sports licence.
• Agricultural or forestry vehicles or equipment attached to an agricultural or forestry operation, an ETA or a Cuma. Drivers must be at least 16 years old.
• If you were born on or before 31 December 1987, mopeds and light quadricycles.

Other 'no-licence cars' – voitures sans permis, VSPs – are becoming increasingly popular in France, with almost 32,000 registered in 2024 (almost double those registered in 2019).

These are considered more eco-friendly than traditional cars, and – because of their no-licence status – are popular with young people who use them to travel to lycée (for example).

1. Safety concerns

‘No licence’ does not mean ‘no rules’ – quite the opposite, particularly as VSPs can be dangerous.

Figures from road safety agency la Sécurité Routiere show that 34 people died in VSPs in France in 2024, up 48% compared to the year before. Two-thirds of the deaths happened outside of urban areas.

In 2016, the road safety association EuroNCAP awarded one-to-two stars out of five to the Aixam Crossover GTR and the Chatenet CH30. This is in contrast to say, the Toyota IQ, a small city car of a similar size to no-licence cars, but which is rated five stars for safety. 

Plus, one of the most popular VSPs, the Citroën Ami, was crash-tested and found to transfer significant energy to the driver in the event of a collision, with a high risk of the driver’s head hitting the steering wheel on impact. Safety features such as airbags and ABS are not mandatory for VSPs.

German organisation Dekra, which carried out the above tests, said that vehicle occupants are more at risk than in a city car.

With this in mind, the rules and laws to follow in order to drive one safely include:

2. You still need a BSR (brevet de sécurité routière) / category AM

Drivers of VSPs must have a valid BSR (Brevet de sécurité routière, road safety certificate) if born after 1987. This is available from age 14, and authorises holders to drive a ‘light quadricycle’.

To pass, you must take an eight-hour training course, including a review of the Code de la route (road rules), and four hours of driving practice on the road. A BSR is valid for 15 years from the date of issue.

3. You must still have vehicle insurance

Insurance is mandatory for VSPs. The insurance must ensure that any victims of accidents involving these vehicles will be compensated (third party coverage minimum).

Driving without valid insurance risks a fine of up to €1,350 (€500 for a first offence), the immobilisation of the vehicle, and community service hours.

4. Road rules must still be followed

All rules of the road must be followed in VSPs, and drivers who break rules can still be sanctioned if they commit an offence, including:

• Using a mobile phone while driving

• Failing to stop at a red light or Stop sign

• Crossing a white line

• Breaking parking rules (e.g. parking outside of a proper space)

VSPs have a top speed of 45 kph, but drivers can still be penalised for exceeding the speed limit in areas with limits of 20, 30 or 40 kph. They will not lose points (as they have no licence), but can still be judged in court for misdemeanours, and banned from driving their VSP.

In the event of drug- and drink-driving, the VSP will be immediately immobilised, and the driver risks receiving a total driving ban in addition.

Road law specialist Maître Rémy Josseaume has argued that it could be “a good idea to deduct points from offenders' future B licences [full driving licences] in the event of serious offences”.

“With no risk of losing their licence [in a VSP], the feeling of impunity seems to be greater and behaviour on the road is more risky,” he said to driving website Roole.fr. 

5. No vehicle ‘tuning’

It is illegal to modify a VSP to enable it to go faster than 45 kph. It is limited to this speed due to its weight of less than 450 kg. Breaking this rule can lead to up to a year in prison, a fine of up to €7,500, and the cancellation of insurance.

6. No motorways

VSPs are not allowed to drive on motorways, or périphériques (ring roads), as they do not go fast enough, and are considered to be potentially dangerous to other traffic and to the driver. The fine for doing so is €1,500.

7. You must still have a contrôle technique

VSPs are still required to have a contrôle technique (MOT).