Modern Vespa

Hello,

I'm currently looking to buy my first Vespa. Things are a little complicated. I live in Paris 8 months out of the year, I go to school and work there. So I've been researching how what I need to drive a Vespa there legally. So it turns out (I think), I need my motorcycle license here in California, which I do not have. I have my class C drivers license. I was wondering since I am 20 years old if I do the safety motorcycle course and do all the other requirements do I officially get the license, or do I get a 6 month permit? Because I have got the permit then the permit would run out while I am in Paris, so I am pretty confused. I really want to be able to get my motorcycle license while I am here. I have two months. I leave to go back to Paris in August All advice and help is welcome, thanks guys.

In France,
you can drive a 125cc with a Car french driving license (B), but you have to
+ a car driving licence that is at least 2 year old
+ a 7 hours formation.
see there http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/F45.xhtml

May be you can get into this case with your car american driving licence BUT driving a 2 wheel in Paris is hot and dangerous, I highly recommend to be an experimented driver and to know Paris streets enought to get your direction without looking to a map or a GPS.
Insurance are mandatory and cost a lot EUREUREUR.

Take the MSF and you should be able to get the full unrestricted California license and practice, practice before you go back to France. You need to be absolutely comfortable with riding a scooter before you even think about riding one in Paris which would not be a beginner friendly place to start as Juju_paris points out.

Though if you reside in France for 8 months of the year you may need a French license not just reliance on your US license.

As long as its 8 months at a time it'll be fine on the CA licence - the problem will be in registering and insuring a bike without an EU licence.

Felipo

A lot depends upon your citizenship and resident status in the US and/or France. If you are a US citizen living in France on a visa or resident permit, your best bet is to contact the French consulate nearest you in the US..

If you are a French citizen, then contact the Calif DMV.

A US license can be transferred to most other countries via paperwork. If you are on a "long stay" visa in France, then your US license will probably be recognized for the duration of your stay.

It isn't something to be answered in an internet forum.

Felipo

A lot depends upon your citizenship and resident status in the US and/or France. If you are a US citizen living in France on a visa or resident permit, your best bet is to contact the French consulate nearest you in the US..

If you are a French citizen, then contact the Calif DMV.

A US license can be transferred to most other countries via paperwork. If you are on a "long stay" visa in France, then your US license will probably be recognized for the duration of your stay.

It isn't something to be answered in an internet forum.

Felipo

A lot depends upon your citizenship and resident status in the US and/or France. If you are a US citizen living in France on a visa or resident permit, your best bet is to contact the French consulate nearest you in the US..

If you are a French citizen, then contact the Calif DMV.

A US license can be transferred to most other countries via paperwork. If you are on a "long stay" visa in France, then your US license will probably be recognized for the duration of your stay.

It isn't something to be answered in an internet forum.