EU and EEA Driving Licences
If you hold a driving licence issued by an EU or EEA member state, it is fully valid in France without any additional documentation. No International Driving Permit is required for EU and EEA licence holders. Your licence must be valid (not expired) and you must carry it with you at all times when driving. French police may request to see it during a roadside check, and rental companies verify it at the counter.
Non-EU Licences: International Driving Permit
Drivers from outside the EU — including the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK (post-Brexit), Japan and most other countries — should carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their national licence. The IDP translates your licence into the languages of signatory countries and is required by some French rental operators. It does not replace your original licence; the two documents must be presented together.
- UK licences: valid without IDP in France, but some operators still request one
- US, Canadian, Australian licences: IDP strongly recommended
- Licences in non-Latin script (Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic): IDP required
- Get your IDP from your country’s motoring association before travelling
Minimum Age Requirements
The minimum age to rent a car in France from most operators is 21. Drivers aged 21–24 typically face a «young driver surcharge» of €15–25 per day. Some companies set the minimum age at 18 for smaller vehicle categories, but this is uncommon. Age restrictions are stricter for premium and luxury vehicles: many suppliers require drivers to be at least 25 for sports cars, convertibles and large SUVs.
Minimum Licence Holding Period
Almost all French rental companies require you to have held your driving licence for a minimum of one year. Some operators apply a two-year minimum for certain vehicle categories. Newly qualified drivers — those who passed their test in the past 12 months — may find their options limited and should check the specific requirements of their chosen operator before booking.
Always carry your licence physically (not just a digital copy) when driving in France. A photograph on your phone is not legally acceptable as a substitute for the original document.
