Do you need an international driver's license to drive abroad?

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

Warning  

You cannot apply for an international driver's license if you have never obtained a driver's license. You have to to obtain a driving license by examination.

You want to drive in Europe (EEA)

The States concerned shall be those of the European Economic Area (EEA).

Your French driving license is valid for driving in the EEA.

You don't need an international license.

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You live in the metropolis or in a Dom

To find out if an international license is required, see the summary of rules by country.

If you need the international permit, you must first request the exchange of your license for a french national license.

Once you have your French national driving license, you can apply for an international driving license.

You live in a Com or in New Caledonia

To find out if an international license is required, see the summary of rules by country.

If you require an international license, contact the Com or New Caledonia administration where you live.

Your license is valid for driving in the EEA if you obtained it 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.

You don't need an international license.

Warning  

Specific rules apply if you have a uk permit issued before 2021, Swiss or Monegasque. Ask the authorities of the country where you want to drive.

To find out if an international license is required, see the summary of rules by country.

Before applying for an international driving license, you must first obtain a French driving license:

You want to drive to another country

To find out if an international license is required, see the summary of rules by country.

If you need an international license, the approach varies depending on whether you live in France or abroad.

Please note

if you go to Monaco, at United Kingdom or Switzerland for a short tourist stay, you can drive there with your French driver's license.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

You live in the metropolis or in a Dom

To find out if an international license is required, see the summary of rules by country.

If you need the international permit, you must first request the exchange of your obtained license for a national french license.

Once you have your new national driving license, you can apply for an international driving license.

You live in a Com or in New Caledonia

To find out if an international license is required, see the summary of rules by country.

If you require an international license, contact the Com or New Caledonia administration where you live.

To find out if an international license is required, see the summary of rules by country.

The international license can be issued to you in France if you have normal residence in France and if you have obtained your driving license in one of the following states:

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.

If you need an international license, the approach varies depending on whether you live in France or abroad.

To find out if an international license is required, see the summary of rules by country.

Before applying for an international driving license, you must first obtain a French driving license: