France
Driving Abroad
Last verified August 7, 2026
Written for U.S. passport holders
License Requirements
- For a short visit, French rules require a foreign license to either be in French, be accompanied by an official French translation, or be accompanied by an International Driving Permit.
- In practice, since a U.S. license is in English rather than French, carrying an IDP is the simplest way to satisfy this. It's effectively a standardized translation of your license, recognized without needing a separate certified translation.
Road Basics for Americans
- Like the U.S., France drives on the right side of the road, so the basic flow of traffic will feel familiar.
- Speed limits and distances are posted in kilometers (km/h), not miles. A 100 km/h limit is about 62 mph; a 50 km/h limit, common in towns, is about 31 mph.
The Gotcha
A U.S. license by itself doesn't automatically satisfy French requirements the way an English-language license does in some other countries. France specifically wants either a French translation or an IDP alongside it. Since getting a certified French translation is more hassle than getting an IDP from AAA before you leave, the IDP is the practical answer even where it's technically optional.
Sources
This page was drafted from the primary sources below. Rules change, so check the linked page directly before relying on any of this.
- Permis de conduire international (France Titres (ANTS))