Destinations / France
Driving in France as a visitor
Usually yes. France expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Standard delivery included. Need it sooner? Express lands by for $25 more.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What France expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| 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 | Expected. Hand it over with the licence, never instead of it. |
| 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?
Usually yes. France expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Which IDP format does France accept?
France recognises the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in France ask for one?
Major desks (Hertz, Europcar, Sixt) request an IDP for licences not issued in the EU/EEA.
How fast can you get one?
Express orders are emailed within 5 minutes. The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay and the order is refundable for 30 days.