Destinations / France
Driving in France as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Non-EU visitors should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence to drive or rent a car in France.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What France expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 112 |
| Top speed limit | 130 km/h motorways (110 in rain) |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Check the desk policy for your issuing country and licence script. A translation accompanies the licence and never replaces an official permit. |
| Booklet format they know | 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in EUR. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| In the car | Carry a reflective vest and warning triangle in the vehicle. |
|---|---|
| Right of way | Priority to the right (priorité à droite) applies at unmarked junctions. |
| Alcohol | Strict 0.05% blood-alcohol limit (0.02% for new drivers). |
On the road in France
At the pump
Stations sell unleaded petrol (SP95, SP95-E10, SP98) and diesel (gazole/B7); most are self-service (libre-service) and many are 24h automated card-only. Foreign chip-and-PIN cards usually work, but some unmanned pumps reject non-French cards, so keep cash as backup; petrol runs roughly EUR 1.75-1.95/litre.
After a crash
Call 112 (or 15 SAMU / 17 police); police attendance is required if anyone is injured. For damage-only crashes complete and both-sign the constat amiable (European Accident Statement), do not move vehicles if there are injuries, and send the form to the insurer/rental firm within 5 days.
Sources: service-public.gouv.fr · france.fr · eta.co.uk · europa.eu
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in France?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Non-EU visitors should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence to drive or rent a car in France.
Which translation format is used for France?
France uses the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in France ask for a translation?
Major desks (Hertz, Europcar, Sixt) request an IDP for licences not issued in the EU/EEA.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for France?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in Europe
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.