Does one need an Intl driving license when renting/driving a car in France? Thank you!

I am assuming you are from the US?

The following information for U.S. citizens driving in France was provided to the Embassy by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. French regulations distinguish between persons inFrance on short tourist or business trips (less than 90 days) and those who are here as longer-term residents (more than 90 days). If you are a temporary visitor in France, you may drive with a valid U.S. (State) driver's license. In addition to having your U.S. driver's license, visitors are advised (but notrequired) to carry an International Driving permit, or attach a French translation to their U.S. driver's license.

No, one does not.

What one needs for driving in France is very good maps and a co-pilot who can read them.

The signposts at roundabouts or intersections do not read ' route 66 east'. They will read more like 'Lower Mudville' if that is the next large town in that direction.

Hi EH,

No.

>The signposts at roundabouts or intersections do not read ' route 66 east'. They will read more like 'Lower Mudville'....<

This is being changed.

In many places, the sign, as you go through the roundabout, will point to "Lower Mudville" AND there will be a little tag on it that says "66".

No need for an International drivers lic. You will need a very good sense of humor. Just keep going round and round and round those roundabouts, until someone figures out which road to take. I'm sure we circled some 6 or 8 times while the other three were all reading maps.

I honestly wish I thought having an IDP would make finding some places easier!

Ehku, as others have indicated, having an IDP is not a requiirement to secure a rental.

If you are stopped by the authorities it would help to have one since it translates your license information into French.

Having an IDP has absolutely nothing to do with ability to secure a rental in ANY country. You can easily rent a car in Italy, for example, without anyone related to the car rental outfit ever even mentioning an IDP.

It has to do with the laws of the country. Italian law requires that you have one. French law does not.

If you've ever seen an IDP you will realize it is really an outdated document. Any official in any country around the world will be able to translate my US DL faster simply by looking at the DL rather than using the IDP.

Pretty simple info on my DL

DOB = 1/1/82
expiry 1/1/2016

Address = obvious
Lic # - prett clear.

Yes, I have an IDP for upcoming trip to Italy, but merely to satisfy the legal requirements.

To actually expect that an official (police) will use the IDP to translate a license is, IMO, outdated.

<i>&quot;It has to do with the laws of the country. Italian law requires that you have one. French law does not.&quot;</i>


We had a minor traffic violation in Italy and no one required an IDP. We have never been asked for one anywhere.

that may be - but an IDP is a legal requirement in Italy . . . . .

Just a minor and probably irrelevent appendadge. My drivers licence indicates I can drive class 5 and 6. What does that mean to somebody in a foreign country?
My dad could drive a class 5 or class 7 vehicle. I can drive a huge motorbike, my dad could drive a fire truck.

This is only relevant if you are planning on driving something out of the norm.
All of you tourists planning on driving firetrucks in France, have your driving licenses translated.