international drivers licence in france

Is it required by law in France? - No. Is it a good idea to have one? - Yes. The IDP is a translation of your home license into multiple languages. If you are stopped by a non-English-speaking officer, it will help him. It also serves as a verification that your home license is valid. The IDP is so inexpensive and easy to obtain that there's really no reason not to get one if you're traveling to a non-English-speaking country.

Karyn, your Ontario licence is already in English and French, you should have no problems.

I have been stopped by a gendarme in France. He struggled with my Oregon drivers license. Which is the expiration dat? Which is my birth date? You want a happy gendarme. Get the IDP.

You mean he thought your license expired a long, long time ago......and you're going to be born in a couple of years? Damn fuzz ain't got a lick of sense nowhere!

As stated not necessary but the process to get one is simple. My husband got an IDL from our local AAA $25.00 if I recall...rented a car in France with no problems..enjoy your travels

I got stopped by the Gendarmes when we were in France. We were driving down a back road in a small town after dinner one night, when two of them stepped out in front of our car, and stopped us. They said something in French ( I don't speak hardly any) and then he stuck a "breathalyzer" in my face. He did not like how I was blowing into the machine, (well, we had a fantastic three hour meal at our only Michelin rated restaurant on that trip, and we just had to try different French wines, so I did not want to ruin his machine) Then our comunications started going down hill. He figured out that I was hapless tourist, smiled a big grin, and said "ORevoir"! On top of that, I had left my drivers licence back at the room. You can just imagine what would have happened if he asked for one. Karyn, an IDP is a cheap piece of insurance. You never know when you may need it. At the very least, it keeps the "lines of communication" open.