International Driving Permit in France

Hello, I’m from Quebec, and my driver’s license is in French. I’m planning to rent a car in France in July 2025 with Sixt. When I check their website, it says I need to present my driver’s license and passport, so I wouldn’t need an International Driving Permit. However, if I keep reading, they specify this: «It is recommended for customers whose driver’s license was issued by a state not listed here (https://www.sixt.com/help-center/articles/permis-de-conduire/) to bring an International Driving Permit or a French translation by an organization listed in section b), as authorities may request to see the license during official checks.» When I click the link, I get an error page, so I can’t get all the information. Has any Quebecer rented a car through Sixt in France and could tell me if I can avoid the translation fees for a license that’s already in French (mine and my partner’s)? Thanks so much!

Hi,

According to this info here, you don’t need an international permit.

Fred

Yes, I already checked, thanks. However, they don’t mention car rentals. And I’ve seen on forums that people renting a car at the airport were asked for it. So, I specifically want to know in the context of renting a car—not if I’m driving someone’s car who lives in France or if I’m buying a car there.

I’ve never rented from Sixt in France, but I have rented from Sixt elsewhere in Europe (and in France, but not with Sixt). They never asked me for the IDP.

On Sixt’s website, the terms for France state that the IDP is only required when the license isn’t written in the Latin alphabet (link), which makes sense since that’s all the document really provides—a translation.

That said, if you want to be absolutely sure to avoid any hassle with an employee who doesn’t understand the rules, you can get it done at the CAA—it takes 5 minutes and (from memory) $25. You can see it as an unnecessary expense or as insurance.

If you haven't left yet, hurry to the CAA to get an international driver’s permit—it could save you a lot of hassle if ... Anyway, it’s not worth pinching pennies over!