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The essentials
- EU/EEA/Swiss licences are valid in France indefinitely — no IDP needed ;
- UK licences are accepted in France without an IDP for tourists and visitors ;
- US, Canadian, Australian licences are valid for short visits without an IDP, but an IDP makes things smoother — particularly for car rentals and police checks ;
- 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| 1926 Paris Convention | Limited use | Largely superseded — only Liechtenstein still requires it |
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:
- United States: AAA (American Automobile Association) or AATA — apply in person or by mail, ~$20, 24-48h ;
- United Kingdom: any participating Post Office branch — £5.50, issued on the spot ;
- Canada: CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) — about CAD $25, issued the same day ;
- Australia: NRMA, AANT, RACQ, RACV, RACT, RACWA, RAA — about AUD $42, issued the same day ;
- New Zealand: AA — about NZD $25 ;
- Ireland: AAI Ireland — about €25.
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.
Avoid online IDP scams. 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.
If you're moving to France permanently
An IDP does not extend your right to drive in France beyond what your home licence allows. The rules for new residents:
- EU/EEA/Swiss licence holders can drive on their home licence forever — exchange is voluntary ;
- UK licence holders benefit from a bilateral agreement signed June 2021 — exchange is allowed within 12 months of becoming resident, no test required ;
- US licence holders can exchange directly only if from one of around 18 reciprocal states (Texas, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, etc.) — others must take the French test ;
- Canadian licences: Quebec has a direct exchange agreement (since 2008) ; other provinces are case-by-case ;
- Australian licence holders have no direct exchange agreement — they must take the French test after the first year ;
- 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 ;
- 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 vehicle is possible in serious cases (rarely applied to tourists with Latin-alphabet licences).
In practice, French police rarely stop drivers solely to check IDP status. The risk is in accidents or insurance claims — having an IDP means a smoother resolution.