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Do I need an international driving license to drive in France?
My husband and I are going to France for three weeks for our honeymoon and we may rent a car to explore different regions. Can we use our U.S. driver’s license or do we need to get an international license?
Andrea Barrett · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Congratulations on your marriage! Exploring the French countryside and bustling cities will be an amazing adventure.
You do not need an international driving permit to drive in France. Short-term visitors can use their valid foreign driver’s licenses.
However, your U.S. license must be accompanied by an official translation if not written in French. Alternatively, you can apply for an international driving permit before you leave on your trip. (So, although an IDP isn’t required, it can be useful when traveling in a country where English is not the primary language.)
Here’s what you need to do to apply for an IDP:
- Visit the American Automobile Association (AAA) or American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) website
- Download, print, and complete the IDP application
- Have two passport photos taken
- Have a valid U.S. driver’s license
- Remit the $20 permit fee
Once you submit the required documents and payment, you will receive a permit to legally drive in France!
You’ll also want to make sure you have valid international car insurance before you hit the road. Your current auto policy may not cover out-of-country driving, but car insurance guru
Jerry
can help you find insurance that does. All you have to do is download the Jerry app, answer a few questions, and Jerry’s team of experts will help you find the right policy so you can sip wine in the vineyards of France without having to worry about car insurance.
MORE: How to get a car rental discount code
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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