Car rental with US license?

[mringenoldus]

We have rented a car in Toulon and are now wondering if there are any special license requirements. I haven't read where anyone on the boards ever mentioned the need for a special permit.

 

Can anyone confirm???

[moyaroo]

No worries on that one. Your US license is good for tourist purposes in France. Been there done that several times.

[TLCOhio]

We have rented a car in Toulon and are now wondering if there are any special license requirements. I haven't read where anyone on the boards ever mentioned the need for a special permit. Can anyone confirm???

 

Agree with moyaroo that we, too, have done car rentals in France many, many times and had no need for anything more than our U.S. driver's license. Driving in most all parts of France outside of the big, big cities works well. Good road conditions, not too narrow as we have faced in areas of western Ireland and parts of England. Plus, driving on the "right" side in France.

 

WEB-MAPPING FOR FRANCE:

Use this website to get any detailed maps you need. Scroll to the bottom of the page and follow the directions with your details on where are coming from and going to. It will give both graphic maps and written point-by-point driving instructions. You can also look lower on the page for other options such as a shorter route in miles that might take more time and be more "scenic".

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/main.adp?country=FR

or

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/europe.adp?do=nw

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[mringenoldus]

Awesome info...many thanks to you both!!

[iancal]

We have rented cars throughout Europe over the years and have never been asked for anything other than our normal dl. We do however always travel with an International Drivers Licence (essentially a multilingual version of our DL obtainable from the autoclub). Although we have never been asked for it, and have never been in an accident or stopped, we have been told that it is a requirement. I am not sure if this is the case any more, or specifically in France. You may want to double check on this.

[fastrack0]

I was told the same, to get a international driver license, just in case,only $30, no big deal.

[Hlitner]

We have been renting cars in Europe for over 35 years and have handled questions about the International Drivers Permit. For those who obsess about such matters, by all means go to AAA, pay for your passport photos and then pay the $15 for the permit. On the other hand, if you are renting a car in France you do not need this permit. The big issue in Western Europe is with Italy where technically you are supposed to have the International Drivers Permit (nobody has ever asked us for one in 35 years). We used to argue with those that insisted you had to have these money-making but useless permits, but finally realized that if folks felt good about spending extra money then God bless em.

 

Hank

[joanne59]

We have rented a car in Toulon and are now wondering if there are any special license requirements. I haven't read where anyone on the boards ever mentioned the need for a special permit.

 

Can anyone confirm???

 

Which company did you rent from, and if you don't mind, what price were you quoted? Is the agency close by when you arrive at the dock? Thanks so much for all your help.

 

Happy cruising...Joanne