International driving license abroad

Verified 05 September 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

You travel abroad and you wonder if you need a international driving license ? If you are traveling in the European Economic Area, in the United Kingdom or Switzerland, you do not need PCI: titleContent. If you go to another country, the rules vary: either your French license is sufficient or you must have an extra PCI: titleContent. The ICP is the translation of your French license. You have to ask before you leave. We'll show you PCI rules to know.

Warning  

Before applying for an international driving license, check if the country where you are going requires it.

See the summary of rules by country to find out if you need an international driving license.

Indeed, the rules vary depending on the country.

A French driving license is sufficient if you are traveling in the European Economic Area, in the United Kingdom or Switzerland.

The French driving license is sufficient to drive temporarily in several non-European countries.

In some countries, the PCI: titleContent is required or recommended, in addition to your French license.

Some countries do not recognize national and international permits.

Before you leave, contact the consular services of the country or countries concerned, and consult the travel advice from diplomatie.gouv.fr.

Example :

  • United States : a French driving license more than one year old is enough for a stay of less than 3 months.
  • South Africa : a french driving license is recognized if it is certified and translated by the consulate.
  • New Zealand : a French driving license accompanied by a certified translation allows driving for 1 year.
  • Province of Quebec (Canada) : you can drive with a french driving license for 6 months.

You can apply for an international license if you have your normal residence in France and if you have obtained your driving license in one of the following countries :

France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Please note

of specific rules apply if you have obtained your driving license in a Com or New Caledonia.

You live in France

You're French

You have to make a online pre-application on the website of ANTS: titleContent.

The online service can be accessed through FranceConnect or with your ANTS identifiers.

If you do not have ANTS credentials, it is proposed to create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.

You need the following documents, photographed or scanned:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of domicile less than 6 months
  • Driving license
  • In case of an occupational emergency, a dated and signed certificate from your employer justifying the trip abroad. If you are a self-employed person, sworn certificate committing you in particular not to make false statements and justifying the business trip + K-bis extract certifying your activity

International Permit Pre-Application Online

In a 15-day period from your online pre-request, you must send more documents by mail.

After this period, your folder is automatically rejected.

You must send the subsequent documents :

  • Certificate of deposit online application form
  • Photo ID less than 6 months, conforms to standards
  • Envelope ready to post, in letter followed 50g, to your address
  • In case of occupational emergency, remind you of the urgency of your request. You can re-attach the receipts sent during your online pre-request.

You must send the documents at the address indicated at the end of the online procedure : Cert: titleContent Cherbourg or Paris police station.

If you live in Paris, your file must be sent to the Paris police department.

Who shall I contact

If you live in another city, your application must be addressed to the Cert de Cherbourg

Who shall I contact

Warning  

if you send your request by mail without online pre-request, it cannot be educated and will be directly to you dispatched.

You are European (European Union, Monaco, Switzerland)

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

You have to make a online pre-application on the website of ANTS: titleContent.

The online service can be accessed through FranceConnect or with your identifiers ANTS: titleContent.

If you do not have ANTS credentials, it is proposed to create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.

You need the following documents, photographed or scanned:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of domicile less than 6 months
  • Driving license
  • Copy of proof of your residence in France for 6 months or more.
    For example: rental contract, employment contract, proof of social security, tax notice.
  • In case emergency professional, proof specifying the date of departure: contract of employment abroad, employer's certificate, certificate of military position...

International Permit Pre-Application Online

In a 15-day period from your online pre-request, you must send more documents by mail.

After this period, your folder is automatically rejected.

You must send the subsequent documents :

  • Certificate of deposit online application form
  • Photo ID less than 6 months, conforms to standards
  • Envelope ready to post, in letter followed 50g, to your address
  • In case of occupational emergency, remind you of the urgency of your request. You can re-attach the receipts sent during your online pre-request.

You must send the documents at the address indicated at the end of the online procedure : Cert: titleContent Cherbourg or Paris police station.

If you live in Paris, your file must be sent to the Paris police department.

Who shall I contact

If you live in another city, your application must be addressed to the Cert de Cherbourg

Who shall I contact

Warning  

if you send your request by mail without online pre-request, it cannot be educated and will be directly to you dispatched.

You have another nationality

You have to make a online pre-application on the website of ANTS: titleContent.

The online service can be accessed through FranceConnect or with your identifiers ANTS: titleContent.

If you do not have ANTS credentials, it is proposed to create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.

You need the following documents, photographed or scanned:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of domicile less than 6 months
  • Driving license
  • Residence permit
  • If it is a occupational emergency, proof specifying the date of departure: contract of employment abroad, employer's certificate, certificate of military position...

International Permit Pre-Application Online

In a 15-day period from your online pre-request, you must send more documents by mail.

After this period, your folder is automatically rejected.

You must send the subsequent documents :

  • Certificate of deposit online application form
  • Photo ID less than 6 months, conforms to standards
  • Envelope ready to post, in letter followed 50g, to your address
  • In case of occupational emergency, remind you of the urgency of your request. You can re-attach the receipts sent during your online pre-request.

You must send the documents at the address indicated at the end of the online procedure : Cert: titleContent Cherbourg or Paris police station.

If you live in Paris, your file must be sent to the Paris police department.

Who shall I contact

If you live in another city, your application must be addressed to the Cert de Cherbourg

Who shall I contact

Warning  

if you send your request by mail without online pre-request, it cannot be educated and will be directly to you dispatched.

You live abroad

Your normal residence is in France

Your normal residence is in France if you are in one of the following 2 situations:

- you live in France 185 days or more per year (6 months) due to personal and/or professional ties

- your personal attachments are located in France but you are abroad to pursue your studies, a training, one internship or for the execution of a fixed-term assignment

Your normal residence is in France if you are in one of the following 2 situations:

- you live in France 185 days or more per year (6 months) due to personal and/or professional ties

- your personal attachments are located in France but you are abroad to pursue your studies, a training, one internship or for the execution of a fixed-term assignment

You have a postal address in France

The application for an international driving license is made online on the website of theANTS: titleContent.

You're French

You have to make a online pre-application on the website of ANTS: titleContent.

The online service can be accessed through FranceConnect or with your identifiers ANTS: titleContent.

If you do not have ANTS credentials, it is proposed to create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.

You need the following documents, photographed or scanned:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of domicile less than 6 months
  • Driving license
  • Proof of the right of residence in the country where you are established
  • Justification for maintaining your normal residence in France
    - Either a document certifying that you are pursuing studies, training, a traineeship or that you are on a fixed-term mission in that country
    - or a document certifying your residence in France for 185 days or more during the year preceding the receipt of your request by the instructor service. For example, a lease agreement, rent receipt, gas, electricity, or landline bills, a certificate of domicile issued by the energy supplier.
  • In case occupational emergency, proof specifying the date of departure: contract of employment abroad, employer's certificate, certificate of military position...

International Permit Pre-Application Online

In a 15-day period from your online pre-request, you must send more documents by mail.

After this period, your folder is automatically rejected.

You must send the subsequent documents :

  • Certificate of deposit online application form
  • Photo ID less than 6 months, conforms to standards
  • Envelope ready to post, in letter followed 50g, to your address
  • In case of occupational emergency, remind you of the urgency of your request. You can re-attach the receipts sent during your online pre-request.

You must send the documents at the address indicated at the end of the online procedure : Cert: titleContent Cherbourg or Paris police station.

Warning  

if you send your request by mail without online pre-request, it cannot be educated and will be directly to you dispatched.

You are European (European Union, Monaco, Switzerland)

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

You have to make a online pre-application on the website of ANTS: titleContent.

The online service can be accessed through FranceConnect or with your identifiers ANTS: titleContent.

If you do not have ANTS credentials, it is proposed to create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.

You need the following documents, photographed or scanned:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of domicile less than 6 months
  • Driving license
  • Proof of the right of residence in the country where you are established
  • Justification for maintaining your normal residence in France
    - Either a document certifying that you are pursuing studies, training, a traineeship or that you are on a fixed-term mission in that country
    - or a document certifying your residence in France for 185 days or more during the year preceding the receipt of your request by the instructor service. For example, a lease agreement, rent receipt, gas, electricity, or landline bills, a certificate of domicile issued by the energy supplier.
    In case emergency professional, proof specifying the date of departure: contract of employment abroad, employer's certificate, certificate of military position...

International Permit Pre-Application Online

In a 15-day period from your online pre-request, you must send more documents by mail.

After this period, your folder is automatically rejected.

You must send the subsequent documents :

  • Certificate of deposit online application form
  • Photo ID less than 6 months, conforms to standards
  • Envelope ready to post, in letter followed 50g, to your address
  • In case of occupational emergency, remind you of the urgency of your request. You can re-attach the receipts sent during your online pre-request.

You must send the documents at the address indicated at the end of the online procedure : Cert: titleContent Cherbourg or Paris police station.

Warning  

if you send your request by mail without online pre-request, it cannot be educated and will be directly to you dispatched.

You have another nationality

You have to make a online pre-application on the website of ANTS: titleContent.

The online service can be accessed through FranceConnect or with your identifiers ANTS: titleContent.

If you do not have ANTS credentials, it is proposed to create an account to have a personal space on the ANTS website.

You need the following documents, photographed or scanned:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of domicile less than 6 months
  • Driving license
  • Your residence permit
  • Proof of the right of residence in the country where you are established
  • Justification for maintaining your normal residence in France
    - Either a document certifying that you are pursuing studies, training, a traineeship or that you are on a fixed-term mission in the country in which you are established
    - or a document certifying your residence in France for 185 days or more during the year preceding the receipt of your request by the instructor service. For example, a lease agreement, rent receipt, gas, electricity, or landline bills, a certificate of domicile issued by the energy supplier.
  • If it is a occupational emergency, proof specifying the date of departure: contract of employment abroad, employer's certificate, certificate of military position...

International Permit Pre-Application Online

In a 15-day period from your online pre-request, you must send more documents by mail.

After this period, your folder is automatically rejected.

You must send the subsequent documents :

  • Certificate of deposit online application form
  • Photo ID less than 6 months, conforms to standards
  • Envelope ready to post, in letter followed 50g, to your address
  • In case of occupational emergency, remind you of the urgency of your request. You can re-attach the receipts sent during your online pre-request.

You must send the documents at the address indicated at the end of the online procedure : Cert: titleContent Cherbourg or Paris police station.

Warning  

if you send your request by mail without online pre-request, it cannot be educated and will be directly to you dispatched.

You have a mailing address only abroad

Applications for an international driving license are made by mail.

Application for an international driving license from the foreigner is done by post single or by letter followed.

You must send the subsequent documents :

  • 1er application form pane cerfa no. 14881
  • Double-sided color copy of your driving license
  • Copy of a proof of identity
  • Copy of a proof of domicile less than 6 months
  • Copy of your residence permit if you are a foreigner with a residence permit
  • Proof of the right of residence in the country where you are established
  • Proof of residence in France for at least 185 consecutive days in the previous 12 months.
    For example, lease agreement, rent receipt, gas, electricity, landline bills, certification of domicile issued by the energy supplier.
  • 2 photos. Paste one on the form.
  • If it is a occupational emergency, proof specifying the date of departure: contract of employment abroad, employer's certificate, certificate of military position...
  • 1 envelope at the local rate of the foreigner country where you live so that the consulate will send you your permit

You must send your international permit application to Cert: titleContent de Cherbourg.

However, if your driving license has been issued by the Paris police station, you must send your international permit application to the applicant.

Who shall I contact

Your normal residence is abroad

Your normal residence is abroad if you stay there more than 185 days per year (more than 6 months) for reasons other than pursuing your studies, following a training course, a traineeship or carrying out a fixed-term assignment.

Your normal residence is abroad if you stay there more than 185 days per year (more than 6 months) for reasons other than pursuing your studies, following a training course, a traineeship or carrying out a fixed-term assignment.

You cannot apply for an international driving license in France.

You have to ask the local authorities the exchange of your french license if possible or to obtain a local permit.

The international driving license is free.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You live in France

The time limit for issue shall be variable according to the periods.

In addition, some files may take more time depending on the situation and checks to be carried out.

It is recommended to apply for an international driving license At least 6 months before departure.

You can track your request from your space dashboard ANTS: titleContent :

Track the progress of your driving license application

The PCI: titleContent is sent by post to the address indicated on the prepaid envelope attached to your application.

You have your normal residence in France but you live abroad

You have a postal address in France

The time limit for issue shall be variable according to the periods.

In addition, some files may take more time depending on the situation and checks to be carried out.

It is recommended to apply for an international driving license At least 6 months before departure.

You can track your request from your space dashboard ANTS: titleContent :

Track the progress of your driving license application

The PCI: titleContent is sent by post to the address indicated on the prepaid envelope attached to your application.

You have a mailing address only abroad

The time limit for issue shall be variable according to the periods.

In addition, some files may take more time depending on the situation and checks to be carried out.

It is recommended to apply for an international driving license At least 6 months before departure.

The PCI: titleContent is mailed to the address indicated on the prepaid envelope attached to your application.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

Your permit has been issued by the Cert de Cherbourg

If you notice an error when receiving your permit, you must contact the Cert de Cherbourg:

Who shall I contact

Your permit has been issued by the Paris Police Department

If you notice an error when you receive your permit, you must contact the Paris police department

Who shall I contact

The international license is issued 

  • for 3 years,
  • or for period of validity of your french driving license if this period is less than 3 years.

He is valid abroad only if it is accompanied of your French driving license.

He authorizes the conduct of same vehicle categories (car, motorcycle...) than those of your French license.

FYI  

in France, the international license does not no value. You can't drive in France with an international driving license. It does not replace your French driving license which you must keep.

The international driving license is renewable.

You must provide the same documents as for a 1re request, accompanied by an international driving license.

The international driving license is renewable in case of loss or theft.

You must provide the same documents as for a 1era request, accompanied by a declaration of honor loss or theft.

You can apply for a new International Driving License (IDP) if you obtain one or more new categories after obtaining your PCI: titleContent.

However, your new license (driving license) must be up to date with all categories obtained.

To request a new PCI, you must provide the same documents as for a 1era request. Also attach your new license (driving license).

Example :

Your PCI: titleContent was issued on 10 November 2021.

You obtained category A of your driving license on June 2, 2023.

You can apply for a new IBD to have License A listed.

International Permit Pre-Application Online

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