Driving in France: the basics

In the car at all times

• Licence
• Carte grise (registration)
• Insurance certificate
• Warning triangle and high-visibility vest

Rules that surprise newcomers

• Priorite a droite still applies on many small roads.
• Speed cameras are unforgiving; fines arrive by post.
• Winter tyres are compulsory in some mountain departments.

Exchanging a non-EU licence

A non-EU licence lets you drive for 12 months from the day you become resident. After that you must exchange it, and exchange is only possible if your country - or, for the United States, your individual state - has a reciprocity agreement with France. Since 1 May 2026 a 40 EUR fee applies to the French licence issued on exchange. EU and EEA licences, including Spanish and Italian ones, stay valid without exchange.