Since I am no longer a US resident, I no longer hold an American driver’s license. This made me wonder… what will I do when I return to the United States to visit family and friends and I need to drive a car? Can I drive and/or rent a car in the USA with my French driver’s license? The short answer… yes!
For all the details and requirements, including how to request an International Driver’s Permit to accompany your French license, read on!
This post is for those who already have a French driving license, are traveling outside of France, and therefore, need an International Driving Permit to accompany their driving license. If you need to exchange your American license for a French license, head to this post.
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Yes, you can drive in EU countries with a valid French driver’s license for tourism purposes. This includes if you obtained your French driving license through the reciprocal license exchange program with a non-EU license.
A French license is also valid for driving in the United Kingdom, even after Brexit. Outside of the EU and the UK, you’ll need to check individual country regulations.
In general, yes, a valid French driver’s license can be used in the United States of America.
It should be noted that each state has its own rules and particularities regarding driving with a foreign license. Check the website of each state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) for more information.
For example, the Connecticut DMV allows visitors to use their foreign license for up to a year. However, if the driver’s license is in a language other than English or Spanish, it must be accompanied by an International Driver Permit (IDP). An International Driver’s Permit is a translation of your license into multiple languages in the format of a small booklet. It is only valid when accompanied by a valid driver’s license.
Much like driving in the United States with a foreign license, renting a car is also possible, but it is again dependent on individual state rules and regulations. If you plan on getting a rental car while visiting the States, check the website for each state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) for the most up-to-date information. Researching the requirements imposed by specific car rental companies would also be wise.
Anecdotally, I’ve heard from many people who have been able to rent a car in the USA without any problem using only their French driver’s license. If you have any doubts, it is advisable to get an International Driver’s Permit just in case.
You can request an International Driving Permit (permis de conduire international, PCI) for your French driving license if you live in France.
➡️ Note: If you obtained your French driving license in New Caledonia (like my husband!), you need to first exchange your driving license for a mainland France license before applying for the IDP.
The French International Driver’s Permit is free.
Like the French driving license itself, the IDP is requested through the Agence nationale des titres sécurisés (ANTS) online portal. The easiest way to log in is through FranceConnect by using a login you’ve already established through health insurance or taxes, etc.
Nouvelle demande ➡️ Le permis de conduire ➡️ Je commence la demande
Je demande un permis de conduire international
Fill in the information regarding the French license you currently hold as well as your personal information.
Upload the following documents:
Mail the following supporting documents within 15 days***:
Mailing address:
The mailing address depends on where you live. The address will be included on the dépôt. You will either be sending it to the Cert de Cherbourg or the Préfecture de Police de Paris.
To ensure that the documents are received, it is a good idea to send them by registered mail (lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception).
***If these supporting documents are not received within 2 months of filing your online application, your file will be rejected and you’ll have to start over again.
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Processing times can vary greatly from a couple of weeks to a few months. This depends on where you live and the current volume of applications. It is recommended that you request your IDP at least 6 months before your intended departure out of the country.
I live in Paris and received my French International Driving Permit a little over a month after submitting the online application.
The French International Driving Permit has a duration of 3 years unless your French permit is valid for less than 3 years. In this case, it will reflect the validity of your French license. When it expires, the process is the same to request a new one.
