€500 driving licence aid for apprentices: everything you need to know in 2026

Key takeaways

• The flat-rate €500 aid previously paid to apprentices for the category B licence was officially abolished on 21 February 2026, following a reallocation of the State budget.
• This payment used to be made by the ASP, either directly to the driving school or to the student’s bank account, via their CFA.
• Work-study students can still access the interest-free loan known as the “licence for €1 a day”, as well as regional aids. Access to the CPF for the category B licence is now conditional (see below).

Driving licence aid for apprentices: what changes in 2026

For several years, this State scheme helped thousands of young people in apprenticeships cover part of the cost of preparing for the exam. The principle was simple: a one-off €500 amount per application, with no overly restrictive means-testing. You simply had to be at least 18, be under an apprenticeship contract, and submit your request through your school or training centre.

But the legal framework has changed. Article 80 of Finance Act no. 2026-103 of 19 February 2026 ended this direct financial support via the CFA. Since the effective date of the measure (21 February 2026), the ASP no longer pays anything, and apprenticeship centres no longer process the corresponding application form. The good news is that the theory test and driving hours remain unchanged. Only the financing has changed, which simply means there are new steps apprentices need to know.

💬 Good to know: If your application was approved before the deadline set by the regulations in force, the ASP will still honour the payment under the terms that applied when you applied.

Why was this aid important for apprentices ?

For an apprentice, getting a driving licence is much more than a formality. It’s often a key factor for employability, and sometimes even a condition for landing a first job: in many sectors, a driving licence is explicitly listed as a requirement in job descriptions.

And for good reason: between school, the training centre and the company, commuting quickly adds up. On top of that, the CFA and the host company are not always close to each other, especially in suburban or less well-served areas, making day-to-day mobility essential.

According to figures from France Compétences, around 73,000 young people benefited from the €500 aid in 2025, showing just how widely used the scheme was before it ended. And since the average cost of a driving school package (including the theory test) often exceeds €1,500, the loss of this support inevitably means revisiting the budget. It was one of the most popular aids for students, alongside housing support to reduce rent costs, which still exists.

💬 Tip: Save money thanks to other student aids so you have more budget to finance your licence. For example, if you’re a student looking for accommodation in Paris, Lille, Bordeaux and other major French cities, consider housing aid from the CAF.

Alternatives to finance your licence as an apprentice in 2026

The end of this one-off aid doesn’t mean everything has disappeared, far from it. Several schemes, both public and private, can still help you fund the theory test and driving lessons.

The “€1 a day” driving licence

This well-known scheme, described on the official Service-Public.fr website, takes the form of an interest-free bank loan: the interest is fully covered by the State. It is aimed at young people aged 15 to 25 preparing for their first driving exam.

To benefit, you simply need to enrol in a partner driving school, then apply through a financial institution. The bank advances an amount of €600, €800, €1,000 or €1,200, which the apprentice then repays in small monthly instalments (maximum €30). It’s a flexible, interest-free way to spread the cost.

Regional and departmental aids

Local authorities often offer useful support to encourage mobility and access to employment. Amounts and eligibility criteria vary widely depending on your region and personal situation.

Each Regional Council sets its own rules. Some regions offer a “mobility voucher” or regional aid of up to €1,000, sometimes conditional on volunteering or commitment to a qualifying program. The simplest approach is to check directly with your town hall or Regional Council.

Funding via OPCOs and professional sectors

OPCOs (Skills Operators), presented on the France Compétences website, fund employee training within companies. Depending on your sector and apprenticeship contract, your OPCO may provide specific support for work-study students, sometimes as co-funding (see below for its role in CPF access).

These supports are part of a broader approach to developing skills and supporting apprentices. Don’t hesitate to speak with your company’s HR team or your CFA’s mobility contact, who usually knows the schemes available in your sector.

Using the Personal Training Account (CPF): rules have changed

The CPF, available on MonCompteFormation.gouv.fr, can still be used to finance a category B licence, but access has been tightened since 20 February 2026 (article 81 of the 2026 budget, clarified by decree no. 2026-127 of 24 February 2026).

In practice, for so-called “light” licences (including category B), the CPF can now only be used in two cases: if you are a job seeker registered with France Travail, or if your training benefits from third-party co-funding (employer, OPCO, region, etc.). An apprenticeship contract alone is no longer enough to unlock CPF rights for a category B license, you now need support from a co-funder. Also note: coverage is capped at €900 for light licences. Heavy goods and passenger transport licences are not affected by this restriction.

In practice, this means the CPF remains an option for apprentices, provided you can secure co-funding via your CFA, your OPCO or your region. Rights accumulated through your employment can then be used to finance your learning to drive (theory and practical lessons).

💬 Good plan: If you’re an apprentice and want to use your CPF for a category B licence, first check with your CFA or your OPCO about co-funding options, it’s now the required condition to unlock your CPF rights.

Tips to pass your driving licence as a work-study student

Balancing school, work and driving lessons does require some organisation. To pass your exam without sacrificing your studies, here’s a step-by-step guide to keep things stress-free:

• Step 1: Review your rights and financial resources

  Log into your CPF account on the official government website to check your balance and confirm whether you’re eligible to use it for a category B licence. Then review your personal budget to estimate what might remain out of pocket.

• Step 2: Choose a suitable, certified driving school

  Pick an approved school near your Ecla residence or workplace. Make sure it offers end-to-end support, from theory to the first driving hours, so you don’t have to juggle multiple processes alongside your apprenticeship.

• Step 3: Gather the documents for your administrative file

  Prepare a complete file: a copy of a valid ID, a recent proof of address, and your training enrolment certificate.

• Step 4: Submit the forms on the relevant platforms

  Complete the form required for each funding scheme you’re targeting. Be sure to meet submission deadlines so you don’t delay the payment.

• Step 5: Download attendance certificates

  Once your request is approved, download and keep any attendance certificates provided by your training organisation, they may be required to validate the final payment.

Following these steps will give you the best chances of obtaining your licence without disrupting your routine. And to better manage your academic calendar alongside everything else, take a look at our guide to Parcoursup’s complementary phase.

💬 Tip: Prefer online theory lessons in the evening from the library or study lounges in your Ecla residence to optimise your weekly schedule.

Useful resources for apprentices

To make financing steps easier and to get the best possible support, here are a few official platforms to know:

• MonCompteFormation (CPF): the national platform to view your rights and book training for a category B licence (subject to eligibility).
• 1jeune1solution: the government portal listing aids, job offers and support schemes for young people in France.
• Alternance.emploi.gouv.fr: the Ministry of Labour website with salary simulators, contract templates and practical sheets about apprentice status.
• Service-Public.fr: the reference site to check eligibility conditions and download administrative forms. It also published the official announcement of the end of the €500 aid.
• CAF.fr: to check case by case whether there is local one-off support linked to an integration/employment project.

💬 Good to know: In an Ecla residence, the reception team can provide personalised support and point you towards partner networks to help with administrative steps.