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Driving in France with a China license

IDP Required

Yes — to drive in France on an China licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your China licence. France expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.

Convention basisFrance recognises the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. We issue the permit in that exact format.
At the rental deskMajor desks (Hertz, Europcar, Sixt) request an IDP for licences not issued in the EU/EEA.
CarryCarry BOTH your China national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.
Minimum age18+ to drive; rental typically 21+ with a young-driver surcharge under 25
Validity1–3 years (you choose at checkout)
FormatDigital PDF you print yourself, plus a QR-verifiable ID card — accepted alongside printed permits
Last verified June 2026Source: Geneva 1949 / Vienna 1968
Get my IDP for France Full France guide

Mainland China is not party to the IDP conventions, so Chinese drivers typically obtain a temporary local licence in the destination country. Your International Driving Permit is the recognised multilingual translation of your existing licence, issued in the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna format and carried alongside your national licence.

Driving rules in France

  • Drive on the right; overtake on the left.
  • Carry a reflective vest and warning triangle in the vehicle.
  • Priority to the right (priorité à droite) applies at unmarked junctions.
  • Strict 0.05% blood-alcohol limit (0.02% for new drivers).

Common questions

01
Do I need an IDP to drive in France with a China license?
Yes — to drive in France on an China licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your China licence. France expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.
02
What IDP format does France accept?
France recognises the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. We issue the permit in that exact format.
03
Do I still carry my China license?
Carry BOTH your China national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.
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