If they were to take your passport it would be a tenable issue; i.e., to keep you from fleeing the country.

I have not heard of that happening. However, be sure you have at all times your rental car documentation, the car's documentation, your passport and your driver's license.

I would imagine it would depend on the seriousness of the accident.

They wouldn't for a fender bender, but I can see they might if there may be charges following a death or serious injury, or they thought drink/drugs were involved.

also pack a copy of your passport and also have email access to a copy--doesn't hurt to have multiple back ups. I don't know anyone who had their passport taken other than by theft. Deborah

I can't imagine they'd take your passport away unless they were holding you in custody for being the responsible party in a serious accident. After all, if they take your passport away, it's illegal for you to be in the country.

I've been in a few fender benders in Europe over the 30+ years I've been traveling there and have had my passport LOOKED AT, but never taken away. I think your friend's story is hyperbole.

It used to be the case in Spain (under Franco?) that if you were involved in a serious accident, your car could be impounded and you were kept in custody until the police had concluded their investigation and your culpability determined. Insurance companies used to give you a bail bond to get you out of jail.
If you are arrested following a serious accident or drink-driving, your passport, along with your other possessions, will be kept by the police until you are released. If that happens, be sure to contact your embassy/consulate for assistance. It is your right.

Hi JA,

Have you noticed one of your legs getting longer?

Unless you have caused so much damage that you will be criminally charged, traffic accidents are usually handled very civilly and quietly - assuming that you keep calm.

BTW, Are you planning on having a car accident?

Thanks all; I thought it might be hyperbole.

Et vous, Ira? I'm going to assume that you are trying to be funny.

They will not hold your documents for a small accident - although you may have to spend a day or two sorting out all the forms and formalities. But if the accident is serious - involving injuries they may require you to stay in the vicinity (esp if alcohol, speeding or other special conditions are involved) and hold your passport to be sure you don;t leave. Be aware that drinking and driving laws in europe are much stricter than in much of the US and are taken very seriously.

I was involved in a car accident in France 5 years ago. I was surprised that the police didn't ask for my passport or driver's license at the scene, but they did want the paperwork on the car. The first thing they did was give both me and the motorcyclist who hit us a field breathalizer test -- fortunately, we had been on our way to lunch, rather than it happening after lunch... We were on a D route in l'Herault in Languedoc, and the motorcyclist was trying to pass us in a no-pass zone while I was turning left. It was determined to NOT be my fault, but the police asked us to follow them into town. The other person was taken to the hospital as he had some minor injuries. At the police station, they asked for my passport & driver's license and wrote up an accident report. My French was very basic and one of the police officers had only high-school English, but we managed pretty well. They had me read and sign the report, which was in French, but I could get enough of the gist of it, and checked to be sure it stated that it was not my fault. It was the day before we were to leave for home & I was sure that if it had been my fault, they wouldn't have allowed us to leave. I asked for a copy of the report, but all they would give me was the case number. Apparently, they still had to write the full report with diagrams, etc. - they showed me an example. The policy were very nice, polite, & professional, and considering the circumstances, it was a pretty stressless experience. My documents were given back to me, we gave the case number to the car rental company and flew home on schedule. Lessons learned: watch for motorcyclists -- they sneak up fast on otherwise empty roads and you can't hear them until they are right beside you; drinking & driving is a serious offense in France -- while I'm sure I would have had a glass of wine at lunch, I'm very glad the accident was before lunch...limit: 1 glass of wine.

It's odd that my friend mentioned this to me. And by the way, he didn't know at that point in the conversation that I was going to France. He was just talking about how he never drives in Europe and also, by the way, he doesn't drink and wouldn't be concerned about drunk driving. He is in Europe 2-3 weeks of every month on business and no doubt heard some story about the passport being taken away but maybe not the back story. Anyway, I just wanted to check out the facts since that was something I had never heard of happening in a minor accident.

On the super highways in France is where I get nervous about the motorcycles because they do seem to come out of nowhere and even my husband who is a really good driver, was disturbed by that. So I sympathize CJT.