International license to drive abroad

Verified 03 March 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Is an international driving license required to drive abroad? If you travel in the European Economic Area, in the UK or Switzerland, you don't need it. If you go to another country, the rules vary: either your French license is enough, or you must have an international license. We tell you the rules to know.

Warning  

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

The rules vary depending on the country you are traveling to.

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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.

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

You are traveling to another country

The French driver's license is enough to drive in many countries. Consult the summary of rules by country to check if you need an international driver's 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.

Examples of countries where a French driver's license is sufficient for a short stay  :

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

Morocco. The French license is enough to circulate for 1 year.

New Zealand. The French driving license accompanied by a certified translation allows to drive for 1 year.

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

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

Tunisia. The French license is enough to circulate for 1 year.

Turkey. The French license is enough to travel for 6 months

Please note

Some countries do not recognize national and international permits.

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

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

Please note

Specific rules apply if you have obtained your driving license in a Com or in New Caledonia. Check with the local authorities that issued the driver's license. 

If the destination country requires an international driver's license in addition to your license, you must ask before your departure. It is recommended to make the request At least 1 month before departure abroad.

The costs of editing and routing the permit are set at €7.25.

Some rules vary depending on the country of residence.

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You are in France

Application for the international permit and payment (€7.25) are made online on the website of France Titres (ANTS: titleContent).

You need the following documents, photographed or scanned:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of address less than 6 months
  • Driving license valid and in good condition, including the photo
  • 1 signature photo, also called e-photo less than 6 months
  • If you are a foreigner:
    - Proof of your normal residence in France if you are a Swiss, Andorran, Monegasque or state citizen European (EU/EEA). For example, a rental contract, an employment contract, a social security document or a tax notice.
    - Proof of the regularity of your stay in France if you have the nationality of another State (residence permit or vignette Ofii: titleContent on your passport).

Apply for an international driving license

Please note

Depending on your situation, the instructor service may ask you for additional documents.

You are temporarily abroad but 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 ties are located in France but you are abroad to pursue your studies, a training, one internship or for the execution of a fixed-term mission

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

To apply for an international driver's license, you must meet the following 2 conditions:

  • Have a signature photo, also called e-photo less than 6 months made by a photographer or a booth authorized in France.
  • Have a relative in France who agrees to receive your international permit and send it to your temporary residence abroad.

If these 2 conditions are met, you can do the procedure and payment (€7.25) online on the France Titres website (ANTS: titleContent).

You need the following documents, photographed or scanned:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of address less than 6 months
  • Driving license valid and in good condition, including the photo
  • 1 signature photo, also called e-photo less than 6 months
  • Proof of the right to stay in the country where you are established
  • Proof that your normal residence in France
    - Either a document certifying that you are pursuing studies, training, an internship or that you are carrying out a fixed-term mission in this country
    - Either 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, lease agreement, rent receipt, gas, electricity, or landline telephone bills, certificate of domicile issued by the energy supplier.
  • If you are a foreigner:
    - Proof of your normal residence in France if you are a Swiss, Andorran, Monegasque or state citizen European (EU/EEA). For example, a rental contract, an employment contract, a social security document or a tax notice.
    - Proof of the regularity of your stay in France if you have the nationality of another State (residence permit or vignette Ofii: titleContent on your passport).

Apply for an international driving license

Please note

Depending on your situation, the instructor service may ask you for additional documents.

You are abroad and have your normal residence there.

Your normal residence is abroad if you stay there more than 185 days per year (more than 6 months) for reasons other than continuing your studies, following a training course, an internship, or the execution of a mission of a fixed duration.

Your normal residence is abroad if you stay there more than 185 days per year (more than 6 months) for reasons other than continuing your studies, following a training course, an internship, or the execution of a mission of a fixed duration.

You cannot apply for an international driving license in France.

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

One online service allows you to track the manufacture and shipment of your international driving license.

Track the progress of a driver's license application

Shipment of the international driving license

The PCI: titleContent is shipped Letter Followed to the address indicated in your application. This makes it possible to track and trace the steps of its routing, from the shipment to the deposit in the mailbox.

The address provided when applying for the permit online must be as complete as possible. Your mailbox must present the first and last name of the person receiving the mail.

Follow-up of the international driving license

From the reception of the SMS informing you of the validation of your online request, you must count about 15 days to receive your international driving license.

At the end of the manufacturing stage of your international driver's license, you will receive a mail containing a mail tracking link. This link allows you to track the flow of your license. Tracking the sending of your international permit can also be done directly on La Poste website with the number of the mail tracked.

In case of non-receipt of the international driving license

If you have not received your international driver's license while the mail tracking consultation shows a distribution made, contact theANTS: titleContent via the contact form:

Who shall I contact

The international driving license is issued for a period of 3 years or for the period of validity of your driving license if this period is less than 3 years.

Example for a driver's license whose validity ends on August 10, 2028:

  • If your international driver's license is issued on August 10, 2024, it is valid for 3 years, until August 10, 2027.
  • If your international driver's license is issued on August 10, 2026, it is valid for 2 years, until August 10, 2028.

FYI  

An international driving license issued before 26 February 2026 shall remain valid until the end of validity date contained therein, and at the latest until 31 December 2029.

The international driving license is authorized, abroad, the conduct of same vehicle categories as your national license. You must have your national driver's license with you valid.

However, Category A1 obtained by equivalence from Category B after 1er March 1980 may not appear on the international driving license.

In addition, the training certificate authorizing the conduct of a light motorcycle or a 3-wheeled scooter from the category L5e is valid only in France.

Please note

The international driver's license has no value in France. You cannot drive in France with the international license. It does not replace your national driver's license that you must keep.

The international driving license is renewable when its validity ends.

To apply for renewal, you must provide the same documents as for a 1re application, accompanied by the international driving license.

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

To apply for renewal, you must provide the same documents as for a 1re application, accompanied by a declaration on honor loss or theft.

You can apply for a new international driving license if you obtain one or more new categories after obtaining the international permit. However, your new driver's license must be up to date with all categories obtained.

To apply for a new international driver's license, you must provide the same documents as for a 1era Application. Also attach your new license (driving license).

Example: your international driver's license was issued on November 10, 2024 and you obtained category A of the driver's license on September 2, 2025. You can apply for a new international driver's license to include category A.

Apply for an international driving license

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