After losing a driver’s license, finding the date of issue becomes a priority for compiling a complete duplicate file. This information, often remembered only approximately, is actually found in several administrative documents that are accessible even without the physical title. What sources can reliably provide this information, and which one should you prioritize based on your situation?
Comparison of sources to find the date of issue of the license
Not all avenues are equal. Some provide a reliable date in just a few minutes, while others require digging through personal archives. The table below summarizes the available options after a loss.
| Source | Type of date provided | Accessibility after loss | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full information statement (RII) | Date of issue by category | Online request (ANTS or prefecture) | Very high (official document) |
| Telepoints (telepoints.info) | Date related to points balance | Accessible with France Titres credentials | High (administrative data) |
| Old pink three-part license | Date of issue by category | Only if a copy or photo is kept | High (original title) |
| Driving school certificate | Date of passing the exam | Variable (depends on retention) | Average (private document) |
| Car insurer | Date declared at subscription | Accessible upon request | Average (declarative) |
The question of where to find the date of issue of the driver’s license finds its most certain answer in the full information statement, which remains the only comprehensive administrative document that can be consulted without having the physical license.
Full information statement: the most reliable source after a loss
The full information statement (RII) is a document issued by the driver’s license service of your prefecture. It contains the date of issue of the license and each category, the complete points history, as well as any restrictions or sanctions.
Since the digitization of procedures, this statement can be requested online via the ANTS or directly from the prefectural services. You do not need to physically present the lost license to obtain it, making it the go-to resource in this specific situation.
How to request the RII in practice
The request is made by mail addressed to the driver’s license service of the prefecture where you reside, or via the ANTS portal with a FranceConnect login. The document is personal and confidential.
- Prepare a valid identification document and a recent proof of residence to authenticate your request
- Specify that you want the full statement (and not just a simple points statement), as only the RII mentions the dates of issue by category
- The reception time varies by prefecture, but the digital version is generally available more quickly than postal mail
The RII is the only document that is valid with the administration to certify your date of issue when requesting a duplicate. Other sources serve as personal verification, not as legally binding proof.
Old pink license and personal copies: an underestimated avenue
On the pink three-part cardboard license, still held by many French drivers before the mandatory replacement scheduled by 2033, the dates of issue for each category are directly inscribed on the document. The obvious problem: after a loss, the original is no longer available.
However, if you have kept a photocopy, a scan, or even a photo of your old license (in a rental folder, an insurance contract, a bank file), this copy can provide the sought-after date. It does not constitute administrative proof, but it allows you to correctly fill out your ANTS file.
Check with your car insurer
Your car insurance company recorded the date of issue of your license when you subscribed to your contract. This information is included in your insurance information statement, a document you can request at any time.
The date declared to the insurer is declarative, meaning it reflects what you indicated at the time of subscription. If you provided it correctly back then, it’s a quick way to retrieve the information while waiting for the RII.
Telepoints and ANTS space: what they actually display
The Telepoints service, accessible via the France Titres portal, allows you to check your points balance. Some drivers hope to find their license issue date there. The reality is more nuanced.
Telepoints displays information related to your driving file, but the date of issue does not always appear explicitly depending on the case. The service remains useful to verify that your file is active and that your points are intact before launching a duplicate request.
Certificate of right to drive on the ANTS
When reporting a loss on the ANTS website, a deposit certificate is generated. This temporary document allows you to drive while the new title is being made. It mentions your categories but does not systematically include the original date of issue.
For the duplicate request itself, the required documents are as follows:
- A digital photo-signature (e-photo taken at an ANTS-approved photographer)
- A valid identification document
- A proof of residence less than six months old
- A tax stamp of 25 euros
The deposit certificate serves as a temporary title during the manufacturing process, which generally takes a few weeks depending on the workload of the processing service.
Which procedure to prioritize based on your urgency
If you need the date quickly to fill out a form (insurance, employer, vehicle rental), start by checking your personal archives: photocopies, old insurance contracts, rental files. This search takes just a few minutes and is often sufficient.
If you need to provide official proof, only the full information statement holds authority. Initiate the request as soon as possible with your prefecture or via the ANTS, as processing times may vary. In the meantime, the deposit certificate generated during the loss declaration allows you to continue driving legally.
The card-format license, once manufactured and received by mail, will display the date of issue for each category. This new title will definitively replace the old one, whether it is the pink cardboard format or a previous card. The original date of issue remains unchanged regardless of the number of renewals or duplicates requested.