Information for those of us intending to drive in France - especially if you take a car from another country across the border.
From the 1st of July all cars in France will be required to carry a breathalyzer. http://www.motoring.co.uk/car-news/d...zer-kits_39877
It seems that the suggestion is that you should have at least 2 disposable ones so that if you use one there will be another available to meet the regulations. The fine for failing to do so is not large but being prepared may save some hassle.

Are French drivers required to carry one too?

Yes, it wouldn't make much sense NOT to impose this on the majority of motorists on French roads which are, surprise surprise, French. But you won't get fined until Nov 1st. €1 or 2 does not sound like too much of a hassle.

But where does one pick up the device in France, or are the car rental agencies expected to provide one?

Supermarkets, drug stores, pharmacies, and at border crossing facilities.
As they are mandatory in France, I would expect the rental cars to have them. Like they have first aid kits.

They will be in the rental cars, just as the obligatory reflective vest and triangle are. What are these first aid kits you mention, Cowboy?

Alcohol tests are also for sale in the alcohol section of big supermarkets.

And, the first thing you do when you pick up your car is to find that the rental agency will have provided this. End of problem.

kerouac.. lol, that happens when one posts too quickly.
I wanted to say "Like they have first aid kids... when you rent a car in Germany".
Meaning, that you usually find rental cars equipped with what is legally prescribed in that country.

Some tourists forget that the EU still consists of individual countries which have harmonized some requirements, but not all requirements. Which would probably be too socialist anyway lol.

thanks, spiral. In the article it says "The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood lower than in the UK (the UK limit is 80mg)."

What is the limit in the U.S.? Does it vary by state?

In the USA it varies state by state. In my home state of Minnesota the limit is .08 percent. Does anyone know if France requires an international or French drivers liscence to rent a car?

France does not require the IDP. And of course it doesn't require a French driver's license for a rental car.

However, when you have a car accident in France... the police man REALLY likes the IDP. Just trust me on this. (2 American driven cars hit by one French man... He took one look at my IDP, one look at other person's US license and dealt with me first as according to him it was easy. At least I think that's what he said. My French is a little weak and his English was weaker! French man who hit us was going to be last on the 'Deal with list' )

<<as according to him it was easy. At least I think that's what he said>>

Well, yes, because that's all an IDP is - an official translation of your license.

I'm sure it probably is easier for a lot of policeman, one less thing for them to figure out, even if they could. It isn't a legal requirement, but no harm in getting one. I know French so can easily answer questions or translate it, if asked, but I might get one if I were renting a car in a country where I didn't know the language at all , it isn't too expensive.

IMHO anyone driving in europe should carry an IDP, required or not. There's no reason to think that an average traffic cop there would speak any English at all - and if you show him a US driver's license - how does he know it's not a state park pass or a libray card or whatever. The IDP is easy and cheap - and can prevent a lot of wasted time.

They know that because they have a manual showing all of the drivers licences in the world -- we had the same sort of thing when I worked at Avis.

>>>>>>
IMHO anyone driving in europe should carry an IDP, required or not. There's no reason to think that an average traffic cop there would speak any English at all - and if you show him a US driver's license - how does he know it's not a state park pass or a libray card or whatever. The IDP is easy and cheap - and can prevent a lot of wasted time.
>>>>>>>

as keraouac says, police need to know worldwide licences...it's their job...police should know english as not all people they will deal with are from their own little countries. english is the universal language of the europe.

And just why should French police know English?! How many US police can speak another language?

I certainly wouldn't expect any English from a traffic policeman in most parts of Europe. Possibly in the Netherlands or maybe Sweden. But even then, not in remote country areas.

And in parts of Europe, French or German or even Russian will be more widely understood than English.

>>>>>
And just why should French police know English?! How many US police can speak another language?
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i'd bet a significant % of american police speak spanish. anyway, you're completely missing the point...in europe people speak english mainly to communicate with other europeans (e.g. germans speaking with italians). it's the common language. it has nothing to do with the US or what languages american cops might speak.