In France, drivers who obtained a category B licence before 20 January 1975 retain the right to drive a motorhome with a gross vehicle weight above 3.5 tonnes without retaking any test. For everyone else, a C1 licence covering vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes is required above that threshold. A ministry circular dated 10 June 2010 limits the exemption to passenger vehicles with no more than eight seats in addition to the driver and sets no weight cap. The right is lost if the licence was invalidated after 20 January 1975 or obtained through exchange of a foreign licence, validation of a professional qualification or conversion of a military permit. For driving abroad, the European code 79 must appear next to category B on the licence.
