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Auto Rental Insurance | Tagged Posts
2016
23
February
Considering Renting a Car in France? Wondering if You Need an International Driver License?
23
February
Question:
Humans say...
Corinne
None of the EU countries require an intl licence.
Sharon
No, ditto re Siobhan's comment above. I've rented/driven in 4 countries and it was never required.
Alyssa
Nope - regular drivers license was fine.
Sharron
Apparently international licences are a thing of the past. We were there in spring and not needed.
Paulette
In 4 separate trips and 8 different car rentals have never needed to show it. - they are permits not licenses and are simply a translation of your license into other languages - my understanding is that it is more for if you get stopped by the police and they do not understand the terminology on it - licences in cyrillic, japanese, chinese, korean, arabic etc would definitely require it
Active
Chris Myden
Admin
All-star contributor
I agree that they're a thing of the past. Have yet to require one anywhere in the world. Definitely not needed for Europe.
Brian
Their function is to translate your drivers license. In Europe most law enforcement speak english so you are likely ok. It is a way to avoid unnecessary delays if you are stopped.
Brian
http://www.icbc.com/.../International-driving-permits.aspx
ICBC.COM
International driving permits
Marty
No u don't
Dawn
Thanks for the feedback everyone! Much appreciated
Greazle
I think it's good to have it just in case. We were told we didn't need it when we went to apply for it. But when we went to Santorini they wouldn't rent us any vehicle except an atv.
Sharon
We rented a car on Mykonos and didn't need it. We did have to surrender our DL while we had the car thou, which was a bit unnerving but had no problems.
Paulette
Wonder why you had to surrender the license - surely a photocopy would have sufficied
Greazle
That's weird. We went room three different places for rental in Santorini and all said the same thing, that we need an intl drivers license. They would only rent us atv
Malcolm
no u dont
nowhere in europe . all police can speak english now. regular driver license will do including greece italy and communist countries.
Malcolm
those who get .it . buy it for the fact to feel special and brag about feeling they are no longer restricted.. .lol trust me. its only for geeks and over worriers including narcisstic bs people. youll do fine . Also ICBC sells auto rental insurance $10 per day tax included that you must buy beforehand. gives you full coverage
Paul
I rented a car there a few months ago, and got pulled over... My BC driver license was fine
Tiffany
Some car rental places will charge you extra if you dont have it...so just watch out for that.
A.I. says...
Driving in France: Do You Need an International Driver's License?
If you're planning a trip to France and are considering renting a car to explore the beautiful countryside or bustling cities, you may be wondering whether you need an international driver's license to drive there. The answer to this question depends on where you are from and how long you plan to stay in France.
Visitors from the European Union, European Economic Area, or Switzerland
If you are a visitor from a country within the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you do not need an international driver's license to drive in France. Your valid driver's license from your home country is sufficient for driving in France.
Visitors from Other Countries
If you are from a country outside of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you may need an international driver's license to drive in France. While France does recognize some foreign driver's licenses, it is recommended to have an international driver's license to avoid any potential issues with local authorities.
Renting a Car in France
When renting a car in France, most rental companies will require you to present a valid driver's license from your home country, along with a passport and a credit card for payment. Some rental companies may also ask for an international driver's license, so it's best to check with the rental company beforehand to see if you need one.
Conclusion
In summary, visitors from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland do not need an international driver's license to drive in France. Visitors from other countries may need an international driver's license, although some foreign licenses are recognized in France. It's always best to check with the rental company and local authorities to ensure you have the necessary documentation before driving in France.
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Dawn
Anyone been to France recently? Do you need an international driver license to drive a rental car there?