living and driving in France (bit long)

[sleepy78]

Hi,
My friend has had a problem with her driving license and I'm afraid the same will happen to me! So..
We both live permanently in France, and recently she received a letter from the DVLA to say that, due to a new law, she had to change the photo on her British driving license. She apparently had 1 month to send it to them with a photo etc, otherwise she would be fined.
She did so, but since she told them that she lives in France (even though she said that it was not permanent), they have kept it and won't give it back, saying that she needs a French one now.
As far I as I can grasp, we can swap our British license for a French one, but you physically need to exchange them, so she cannot do this now that hers has been confiscated.
I looked on the DVLA website to see what it says and it says not a lot. I tried to phone but they're always engaged.
Has anyone else heard of this new "law"? I haven't received any letter yet, and I told them my new address when I moved to France 6 years ago without any problem.
Thanks

Normally, you can exchange your license at the sous-préfecture. Need all the usual docs, such as birth/marriage certificate, edf bill, etc etc.

I'm really annoyed as I had a spent speeding offence on my old one, and forgot to 'lose' it before we moved. It's now written down on my French one.

clearsommespace - that's what has confused me so much - the fact that when you phone either side of the channel, the story changes depending on who you talk to! I'm lucky that my friend drew my attention to all of this now, whilst my English card is still in date. I'm definitely not giving it up though before I get a French one..
Off to make a "dossier" then and find my nearest sous - préfecture!