Avoir - get vs. have un permit de conduire

Michael D.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Avoir - get vs. have un permit de conduire

In the example:

Il faut qu'ils aient leur permis de conduire.
They must get their driving licence.

Avoir us used here similarly to "avoir un exam". Here it means they must 'obtain' their driver's license.

But how would you say: "They must have their driver's license (with them)"?

Context might be one way, but if 'they' was ambiguous, the imperative sentence would be ambiguous.

Asked 6 years ago
AurélieNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Michael !

To answer your question, you'd say :

They must have their driver's license (with them).
Il faut qu'ils aient leur permis de conduire sur eux.

As you said, context would definitely help in this case, or you could also use the verb "obtenir" as such :

Il faut qu'ils obtiennent leur permis de conduire.

Following your feedback, I've added some extra context to that example :)
Il faut qu'ils aient leur permis de conduire avant d'acheter une voiture.

I hope that's helpful!
Bonne journée ! 

Avoir - get vs. have un permit de conduire

In the example:

Il faut qu'ils aient leur permis de conduire.
They must get their driving licence.

Avoir us used here similarly to "avoir un exam". Here it means they must 'obtain' their driver's license.

But how would you say: "They must have their driver's license (with them)"?

Context might be one way, but if 'they' was ambiguous, the imperative sentence would be ambiguous.

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