Traveling abroad: what documents do you need to drive?

Verified 07 July 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

In Europe (EU/EEA)

You can driving in Europe (EU/EEA) with your valid French driving license.

If you are driving your own vehicle, you must have the following documents with you:

If the vehicle registration certificate is not in your name, consult the consulate of the country concerned for the necessary documents.

Elsewhere

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You are traveling in Europe

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

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

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

You are traveling to another country

A French driving license is enough to drive around in many countries.

See the summary of rules by country to check if you need an international driving license in addition to your license.

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

Example :

South Africa : the French driving license is recognized if it is certified and translated by the consulate.

United States : a French driving license is enough to drive for 3 months.

Morocco : the French license is sufficient to circulate for 1 year.

New Zealand : the French driving license accompanied by a certified translation allows driving for 1 year.

Province of Quebec (Canada) : a french driving license is sufficient for a stay of 6 months.

Senegal : a French driving license is sufficient for a temporary stay.

Tunisia : the French license is sufficient to circulate for 1 year.

Turkey : the French license is sufficient to circulate for 6 months

FYI  

Some countries do not recognize national and international permits.

If you are driving your own vehicle, you must have the following documents with you:

If the vehicle registration certificate is not in your name, consult the consulate of the country concerned for the necessary documents.

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