🇫🇷 Drive France with Confidence
Know the rules. Carry the right documents. Enjoy the road.
Do You Need an IDP in France?
Required If Your Licence Is Not in French
EU and EEA licences — and UK licences — are exempt: they are valid in France exactly as they are. For a short stay on any other foreign licence, the French government's official guidance is that the licence must be written in French, or carried together with an International Driving Permit or an official French translation. The IDP is that translation — it is not a licence in itself, so you carry both. Rental desks routinely ask non-EU customers for one, because it is the version their staff can actually read.
Crit'Air Vignette Required
Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg, and other major cities enforce Zones a Faibles Emissions (ZFE) low-emission zones. You must display a Crit'Air vignette sticker on your windscreen. Without it, fines start at €68. Order online before your trip or confirm your rental car has one pre-installed.
Driving Rules in France
Drive on the Right
France drives on the right side of the road with left-hand-drive vehicles. At unmarked intersections, the rule of priorite a droite (priority to the right) applies — vehicles approaching from your right have right of way.
Strict Alcohol Limits
The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% (0.02% for drivers with less than 3 years of experience). Random breathalyser tests are common. Penalties include heavy fines, licence suspension, and imprisonment for repeat offenders.
Toll Motorways (Autoroutes)
France has over 9,000 km of toll motorways. Tolls are paid at barriers using credit cards or cash. A Paris to Nice drive costs approximately €75 in tolls. The Liber-t electronic tag lets you pass through without stopping.
Speed Limits
Urban areas: 50 km/h. Open roads: 80 km/h. Dual carriageways: 110 km/h. Motorways: 130 km/h (110 km/h in rain). Speed cameras are widespread and fines arrive by post. Radar detectors are illegal.
Mandatory Equipment
French law requires a high-visibility vest and a warning triangle in every vehicle. While the requirement to carry a breathalyser was relaxed, rental companies usually include all mandatory equipment.
Renting a Car in France
France has extensive rental options at airports, train stations, and city centres. Here is what you need to know.
Documents to Bring
Your home licence and passport. If that licence is not in French and not from the EU/EEA or the UK, add an IDP or an official French translation — most desks specifically ask for the IDP. A credit card in the driver's name is required for the security deposit. Most companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old.
Typical Costs
Compact cars start from €30–50/day. Diesel vehicles are popular and fuel-efficient. Full coverage insurance (including excess waiver) adds €10–20/day. Book early for summer and holiday periods.
Top Rental Companies
Europcar — France's largest domestic rental company. Hertz — Widespread airport and station locations. ADA — Budget-friendly French chain with competitive rates.
Read our guide: The Mistake Americans Make on European Road Trips
Get Your IDP for France — From $29
Digital delivery in 1–2 business days (express as fast as 2 hours). Physical copy shipped worldwide. Valid for 1 year.
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France IDP FAQ
Only if your licence is not written in French. EU and EEA licences — and UK licences — are exempt and valid in France as they are. For a short stay on any other foreign licence, French rules require the licence to be in French, or to be carried with an IDP or an official French translation. Rental desks routinely ask non-EU customers for the IDP because it is the version their staff can read.
France has an extensive toll motorway (autoroute) network. Most accept credit cards at toll booths. A trip from Paris to the Riviera can cost over €70 in tolls. The Liber-t electronic tag allows automatic toll payment without stopping.
Major French cities including Paris, Lyon, and Marseille have Zones a Faibles Emissions (ZFE) that require a Crit'Air vignette sticker. Without this sticker, you can be fined up to €68. Rental cars usually come with the vignette pre-installed.
France drives on the right side of the road with left-hand-drive vehicles. Priority is given to traffic approaching from the right at unmarked intersections, known as priorite a droite.