The credit card-sized driving licence contains several numbered boxes, each providing specific information. Box 11 is on the back of the document, in the table listing the categories obtained. It shows the expiry date for each driving licence category held by the driver.
Box 11 on a driving licence: an expiry date for each category
Each row in the table on the back of the licence corresponds to a category (AM, A1, A2, B, C, D, etc.). Box 11 is read on each row: it shows the date until which the holder is authorised to drive vehicles in that category.
This date is not the same for every category. So-called “light” categories (A, B) follow the administrative validity period of the licence, while heavy vehicle categories (C, D, CE, DE) have shorter expiry periods linked to periodic medical examinations. To read column 11 of a driving licence correctly, always check the row for the relevant category rather than looking for a single date that applies to the entire document.
An empty box 11 on a row means that the corresponding category has not been obtained. Only rows showing a date in box 10 (date obtained) and box 11 (expiry date) confirm an active right to drive.
Difference between boxes 11 and 12 on a driving licence
It is common to confuse boxes 11 and 12. Box 11 contains only a date. Box 12 lists restriction codes and additional information. This distinction is based on the European model established by Directive 2006/126/EC.
Harmonised codes (01, 02, 03, etc.) specifying driving conditions, such as the mandatory use of glasses or vehicle adaptations, appear exclusively in box 12. Mistaking a restriction code for a date, or vice versa, can lead to a misunderstanding of your driving entitlements.
The most common codes in box 12
- Code 01: vision correction required (glasses or contact lenses). The driver must wear their corrective device on every journey.
- Code 02: hearing aid or communication aid. This applies to drivers whose hearing requires the use of a device.
- Code 10: adapted gearbox. This applies in particular to licences obtained using a vehicle with automatic transmission, with subcodes specifying the nature of the restriction (10.02 for an automatic gearbox, for example).
- Code 78: driving limited to vehicles with automatic transmission. This is the most common code for holders of a category B licence for automatic vehicles.
These codes are harmonised across Europe. A code shown on a French driving licence has the same meaning in every European Union country.
Expiry date in box 11: administrative renewal or medical examination
The date shown in box 11 does not automatically mean that a medical examination is required. For categories B or A, the expiry date is an administrative deadline for renewing the licence. The driver must have a new licence issued but does not need to retake a test or undergo a medical examination (except in specific cases related to their health).
The situation is different for heavy vehicle categories. The validity of categories C and D shown in box 11 depends on a favourable medical opinion issued by an approved doctor. The expiry period is generally shorter than for a category B licence.
What to do when the date in box 11 is approaching
For a category B licence, renewal is requested online through the ANTS website (Agence nationale des titres sécurisés). No driving test is required. The new licence will retain the same categories and restriction codes.
For a heavy vehicle licence, the holder must obtain a medical certificate before the expiry date shown in box 11. Without this certificate, the right to drive the relevant category is suspended, even if the driver still has the physical licence.
Digital driving licences and checking box 11
The France Identité app lets you store a digital version of your driving licence on your smartphone. This version includes the same information as the physical licence, including the expiry dates for each category.
The restricted information statement, available online through the Télépoints or France Identité service, shows the categories held, their expiry dates and the points balance. This document lets you check the information in box 11 without having your physical licence to hand.
Box 11 contains just a date, but that date may require different steps depending on the licence category. Regularly checking your restricted information statement is the most reliable way to make sure your driving entitlements are up to date.
