Europe travel guide
Driving in France with a foreign licence
Bring an IDP
Rental desks and local authorities in France commonly ask foreign drivers to carry an IDP alongside their national licence. Non-EU visitors should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence to drive or rent a car in France.
The essentials
Drives onThe right
IDPStrongly recommended
Minimum age18+
Convention1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna
On the road
Rules of the road 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).
At the rental desk
Major desks (Hertz, Europcar, Sixt) request an IDP for licences not issued in the EU/EEA.
Common questions
01
Can I drive in France with a foreign licence?
Yes, with your national licence plus an International Driving Permit, which France requires for foreign drivers.
02
Which side of the road does France drive on?
France drives on the right.
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