Does Europcar require an IDP in France?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in France: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation for non-EU and non-Latin-alphabet licences across its European network. Europe's leading mobility brand.
Non-EU visitors should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence to drive or rent a car in France.
In France specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in France ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Major desks (Hertz, Europcar, Sixt) request an IDP for licences not issued in the EU/EEA.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its France desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. France drives on the right, uses the EUR, and sets a minimum driving age of 18, so an IDP is the document that removes any doubt at the counter.
What to bring to the Europcar counter in France
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the EUR deposit; France drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in France Europcar renters should know
- 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).
Europcar's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
Europcar's typical minimum rental age is 21 (some categories and countries allow rental from 18 on selected vehicles), and a Young Driver Surcharge applies to drivers aged roughly 22 to 25 - published at around EUR 30 per day in addition to the rental cost, with the exact amount varying by country per the local Specific Terms.
Europcar accepts only a credit card in the main driver's name (valid with an expiry date after the scheduled return) for the deposit; the deposit amount is blocked - not debited - on the card at pick-up, or within 48 hours before pick-up for Online Check-In, and debit cards are generally not accepted for the security deposit.
Only drivers registered on the rental contract may drive the car, and each additional driver must meet the same age and licence-held requirements; an additional-driver fee typically applies and is set per country. The driver must have held a full valid driving licence for at least one year (the from-18 categories also require one year's licence holding).
Cross-border travel must be declared and authorised, and in the UK taking a vehicle abroad requires the mandatory Europdrive product (24/7 overseas breakdown cover plus VE103B proof of ownership and a Green Card); for one-way rentals a one-way fee is charged and is included in the displayed price when pickup and return locations differ.
Europcar requires a full valid licence held at least one year; if the licence is not written in English (or the language of the country of rental) the driver must present an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside the original national licence - this typically applies to non-Roman/non-Latin-alphabet licences, while an IDP is usually not required to drive within the EU.
Once you collect the keys in France
Most autoroutes are tolled (peage), paid at booths by cash, card or contactless, or via a Liber-T electronic tag; long-distance trips can run EUR 30-60+. Take a ticket on entry and pay by distance on exit; green-arrow lanes are for tag holders only.
Paid on-street parking (stationnement payant) is bought from horodateur meters or apps like PayByPhone/Flowbird, often EUR 2-6/hour in cities; many central spaces are resident-only (zone residentielle). Overstaying triggers a forfait post-stationnement fine and persistent offenders risk towing (mise en fourriere).
On-the-spot fines are common for foreign drivers: speeding starts around EUR 68-135 (more for higher bands), handheld phone use EUR 135, no seatbelt EUR 135; police may demand immediate payment or a deposit. Radar/speed-camera fines are forwarded to the rental company, which passes them to you with an admin fee, and radar detectors are illegal.
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.
Full driving guide for France →