You have just lost your driver’s license and an administrative procedure requires its date of issuance. The problem: this information was on the physical document, which you no longer have in your hands. Finding the date of issuance of the driver’s license after a loss does not require going back to the prefecture. Several methods allow you to retrieve it quickly, as long as you know where to look.
ANTS Space and FranceConnect: the most direct method
The portal permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr keeps a complete history of your license, even after a loss. By logging in via FranceConnect, you access a personal dashboard. This summary displays the categories held and, for each, the date of issuance of the driver’s license as well as the date of production of the license.
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Have you never created an ANTS account? The connection via FranceConnect uses your impots.gouv.fr, Ameli, or La Poste credentials. No specific account creation is required. Once logged in, the summary appears directly in the “My procedures” or “Consultation of my driving rights” section.
This online summary remains accessible as long as your license is registered in the national file. The loss of the physical document does not delete anything from the database.
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Full information statement: an official document with all dates
Do you need a formal proof, for example for an employer or an insurer? The full information statement (RII) is the most comprehensive document you can obtain.
This statement details your entire license history. It mentions the initial date of issuance, the categories obtained with their respective dates, the points balance, and any recorded infractions. To request it, you must send a letter to the prefecture of your department or go through the ANTS space.
Why the RII goes further than the ANTS summary
The online summary displays the main information. The full information statement adds the history of point withdrawals and restorations. If you need to prove a specific license seniority (for renting a vehicle abroad, for example), the RII serves as official proof.
The reception time varies depending on the prefectures. Some process the request within a few days, while others take several weeks. Using the online form from ANTS generally speeds up the process.
Old emails and ANTS receipts: a often forgotten lead
Have you ever changed your address on your license, requested a duplicate, or taken a driving test? If so, ANTS sent you receipts by email and generated confirmation PDFs.
These documents often mention the date of first issuance of the license or the date of production of the license. A simple search in your email inbox with the keywords “ANTS,” “license,” or “duplicate” may be enough to find the information.
This method works particularly well for people who have changed their address in recent years, as the online procedure systematically generates a downloadable PDF summary.
Provisional certificate and duplicate: do not confuse the procedures
Finding the date of issuance is one thing. Obtaining a new physical license is another. Both procedures are done on the same ANTS portal, but they serve different needs.
The loss declaration certificate
As soon as you declare the loss on the ANTS site, a provisional certificate of driving rights is generated. This document allows you to drive temporarily in France. It does not always include the initial date of issuance of your license, but it proves that you are entitled to drive.
The duplicate driver’s license
The duplicate is the new physical document in credit card format. To request it online, you will need:
- A valid identity document (national identity card or passport)
- A recent proof of residence
- A compliant digital photo, taken by an ANTS-approved photographer or in a booth with the blue sticker “approved online service ANTS”
- The loss declaration, made simultaneously during the online request
The request for a duplicate and the loss declaration are done in a single procedure on the ANTS portal. You do not need to carry out two separate procedures.
Lost license abroad: a special situation
Loss of a French license outside the national territory adds a step. You must first file a loss declaration with the local authorities (police station, police post of the concerned country). This document, translated if necessary, will be required upon your return to France to initiate the duplicate procedure.
The date of issuance, however, remains accessible through the same channels: ANTS space via FranceConnect or old confirmation emails. Your digital file does not depend on where the document was lost.
Consulting your driving rights from abroad
The ANTS portal is accessible from any country with an internet connection. Consulting the summary of your driving rights works the same way, whether you are in Lyon or on the other side of the world. The only constraint: having your FranceConnect credentials.
The date of issuance of the driver’s license is information that survives the loss of the physical document. It is recorded in the national license file and remains consultable online at any time. Before contacting your prefecture, check your ANTS space and your old emails: in most cases, the answer is already there.