How long does the highway-code result stay valid?
Once you pass the code exam (the ETG), your result is valid for 5 years. You therefore have that window to obtain your driving licence without having to retake the code. This duration was set by the 2014 reform; before then, validity was shorter. The countdown starts on the date you passed the code, not the date you registered.
How many driving tests does one code result cover?
During those 5 years, you can sit the practical test (the driving exam) up to 5 times. If you obtain your licence within that frame, everything is validated. But if you use up your 5 attempts — or the 5 years elapse — without getting the licence, your code is no longer valid: whichever of the two limits is reached first ends the validity.
What happens when the code expires?
Nothing dramatic: you simply retake the code exam (40 questions, 35 correct, €30) to get a valid result again, before you can sit the driving test once more. Your NEPH number stays the same, though. As the rules can change, always check the current time limits and conditions on service-public.fr.
How do you avoid letting your code expire?
Move on to the driving lessons without dragging your feet: the longer you delay, the greater the risk of overrunning the 5 years. Book your driving hours as soon as you pass the code, and if you’re nearing the deadline, prioritise booking the practical test. Leaving the code “on ice” for years is the surest way to have to start over.
In short: the code is valid for 5 years and covers up to 5 driving-test attempts. Whichever limit comes first — 5 years or 5 failures — forces you to retake the code. Don’t let time slip away: get your licence while the code is still valid.