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Do you need an IDP to drive in France?
For most English-speaking visitors, France accepts your home licence directly on a tourist or short stay. An IDP is a low-cost backup that smooths car rentals and police checks — and it becomes essential if your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet.
No IDP needed
- ✓EU/EEA/Swiss licences — valid indefinitely
- ✓UK licences — accepted for tourists and visitors
IDP recommended
- →US, Canadian, Australian licences — valid short-stay, but smoother with an IDP
- →Non-Latin-alphabet licences — an IDP acts as the required translation
Once you become a French resident, an IDP does not extend your driving rights — you must exchange your licence within 12 months or take the French test.
When you actually need an IDP in France
For most English-speaking visitors, France accepts your home licence directly during a tourist or short-stay visit. The IDP is genuinely useful in a narrower set of cases:
- ✓Your home licence is in a non-Latin alphabet (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Cyrillic) — French police may not accept it without translation;
- ✓You're renting a car — many agencies require an IDP from non-EU customers as company policy, even when French law doesn't;
- ✓You'll cross into countries that strictly require it (some former Soviet states, certain Asian and African countries);
- ✓You want a backup translation in case of an accident or police stop.
An IDP is not a standalone document — it must always be presented with your original licence. Driving on the IDP alone is invalid.
The three IDP versions
There are three IDP standards, each tied to an international convention. Most issuing countries publish more than one type and you have to choose the right one for your destination:
| Version | Accepted in France? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 Vienna Convention | ✓ Yes (preferred) | Most modern, valid in 70+ countries |
| 1949 Geneva Convention | ✓ Yes | Older format, widely issued |
| 1926 Paris Convention | • Limited use | Largely superseded — only Liechtenstein still requires it |
Source: UNECE road-traffic conventions.
For driving in France specifically, either the 1968 or 1949 IDP is fine. The US and Canada issue 1949 versions; the UK issues both 1949 and 1968 versions depending on the destination.
How to get an IDP
An IDP must be issued by your home country, before you leave — France does not issue IDPs to foreigners. Each country has one or more authorised issuers:
| Country | Official issuer | Fee | Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | AAA or AATA | ≈ $20 | 24–48h |
| United Kingdom | Post Office | £5.50 | On the spot |
| Canada | CAA | ≈ CAD $25 | Same day |
| Australia | NRMA, AANT, RACQ, RACV, RAA… | ≈ AUD $42 | Same day |
| New Zealand | AA | ≈ NZD $25 | Same day |
| Ireland | AA Ireland | ≈ €25 | By post |
Fees and processing times per each official issuer, checked May 2026.
You typically need:
- ✓Your valid driving licence held for at least 6 months (note that your French car insurance also has rules on the licence type);
- ✓Two passport-style photos;
- ✓A signed application form;
- ✓The processing fee.
An IDP is valid for 1 year from issue (sometimes 3 years for certain Australian states). You can apply up to 3 months before travel. The IDP is non-renewable abroad — you must obtain a new one back home if it expires.
Many third-party websites sell fake or unrecognised "international permits" for high fees. The only valid IDP comes from the official issuing body of your home country (the ones listed above).
If you're moving to France permanently
An IDP does not extend your right to drive in France beyond what your home licence allows. Once you become resident, what matters is whether you can exchange your licence — the rules by origin:
| Licence origin | Exchange without the French test? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA/Swiss | ✓ Voluntary — you can drive on it forever | None |
| United Kingdom | ✓ Yes — bilateral agreement signed June 2021 | 12 months |
| United States | • Only from ~18 reciprocal states (Texas, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, Michigan…) | 12 months |
| Canada | • Quebec: yes (since 2008); other provinces case-by-case | 12 months |
| Australia | ✗ No agreement — French test required | 12 months |
Source: Service-Public.fr — exchanging a non-EU licence. For all non-EU residents, the licence must be exchanged within 12 months of becoming resident, or you must pass the French test.
For the full process and country-by-country rules, see our driving in France guide and the country-specific moving guides for the UK, US, Canada and Australia.
What happens if you drive without one
For tourists in France whose licence is in a non-Latin alphabet, driving without an IDP can result in:
- ✗An on-the-spot fine of around €135 (Service-Public.fr);
- ✗The car may be impounded if you can't prove your driving rights;
- ✗Rental car insurance may be void if a claim arises while you were driving without the required IDP;
- ✗Confiscation of the vehicle is possible in serious cases (rarely applied to tourists with Latin-alphabet licences).
French police rarely stop drivers solely to check IDP status. The real risk is in accidents or insurance claims — having an IDP means a smoother resolution.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in France as a tourist? Read more Close
Not usually. EU/EEA/Swiss and UK licences are accepted directly. US, Canadian and Australian tourists can also drive on their home licence during a short stay, though an IDP is recommended for car rentals and police checks. An IDP is effectively required only if your licence is in a non-Latin alphabet, where it serves as the official translation.
How much does an International Driving Permit cost? Read more Close
It's cheap: about $20 in the US (AAA), £5.50 in the UK (Post Office), CAD $25 in Canada (CAA) and around AUD $42 in Australia. Beware third-party websites charging far more for unrecognised permits.
How long is an IDP valid? Read more Close
An IDP is valid for 1 year from its issue date (some Australian states issue 3-year permits). It cannot be renewed abroad — you must obtain a new one from your home country if it expires.
Can I get an IDP once I'm already in France? Read more Close
No. An IDP must be issued by your home country before you leave — France does not issue IDPs to foreign visitors. Apply through your national automobile association or post office up to 3 months before travelling.
Does an IDP let me keep driving after I become a French resident? Read more Close
No. An IDP does not extend your driving rights as a resident. Once you settle in France you must exchange your licence within 12 months (if your country has a reciprocity agreement) or pass the French driving test.