Driving in France
International Driving Document · drives on the right

Driving in France: International Driving Document requirements for visitors

Start Express Application

Visitors to France need an International Driving Document if their licence was issued outside the EU/EEA. France drives on the Right. Urban speed limit is 50 km/h (30 km/h in many city centers), highway up to 130 km/h (110 in rain). Blood alcohol limit is 0.05%.

France at a glance

Permit type
International Driving Document
Side of road
Right (overtake on the left)
How long it is valid
1 year (Geneva) or up to 3 years (Vienna)
Minimum driving age
18
Blood alcohol limit
0.05% (0.02% for bus drivers and new drivers within 3 years)
Emergency number
112
How it works

How to get your permit for France

You do the first step; a dedicated expert does the rest.

  1. Tell us your destination

    France + your nationality. ~30 seconds.

  2. We confirm what you need

    A 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Document for France — picked for you, so you don't have to decide.

  3. We handle the paperwork

    Your dedicated expert checks your documents, prepares the application, and files it correctly with the authorized agency.

  4. Review by a real person

    A dedicated expert reviews your submission — not a bot.

  5. Track every step

    Live dashboard + email/SMS updates from submission until your International Driving Document is in hand.

Start Express Application

France driving rules at a glance

Side of road
Right (overtake on the left)
Minimum driving age
18
Speed limit — urban
50 km/h (30 km/h in many city centers)
Speed limit — rural
80 km/h
Speed limit — highway
130 km/h (110 in rain)
Blood alcohol limit
0.05% (0.02% for bus drivers and new drivers within 3 years)
Seatbelts
Mandatory for all passengers
Helmet
Mandatory for motorcycle riders
Mobile phone
Hands-free only
Emergency number
112
Priority to the right
Priorite a droite — traffic from the right has priority unless signed otherwise
Headlights
Required at night and in tunnels
What you need

Documents required to drive in France

What police and rental counters expect you to carry, every time you drive.

  • Valid foreign driving licenceMust be valid and cover the vehicle class
  • International Driving DocumentEither Geneva or Vienna type accepted
  • PassportRequired for identification
  • Vehicle registrationProvided by rental company
  • Insurance certificateThird-party liability mandatory
Do you need one?

When you need a permit in France

How the requirement plays out, case by case.

  • EU/EEA licence holder

    No — Valid for duration of visit

  • Non-EU licence holder

    Yes — Recommended — police may request it

  • Licence not in English

    Yes — Needed as translation

Check what your licence needs
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Driving in France with a foreign licence, answered.

Keep exploring

More for your France trip

How we reviewed this page

Last verified Reviewed by Expedify Compliance Review

About this service

Expedify is a private application-assistance service, not a government agency or an authorised issuer. International Driving Documents are issued by the authorised body in your licence country; our agency fee covers preparation, review, and tracking of your application, and is separate from the issuer's own fee. The information on this page is general guidance, not legal advice — acceptance rules are set by each destination country and can change. Always confirm requirements with the official issuer or the authorities of the country you're visiting.