Australian Embassy
France
Embassy address: 4, rue Jean Rey 75724 Paris Cedex 15 - Telephone : 01 40 59 33 00 - Fax : 01 40 59 33 10. Visa Enquiries (Europe Service Center) are available by phone: +33 (0)1 72 15 00 67 Monday to Friday

DRIVING IN FRANCE

TOURISTS AND SHORT TERM RESIDENTS

If you are a tourist or short-term resident (less than 12 months), you can legally drive in France provided you have both a valid Australian State or Territory driving license AND a valid international driving permit (that you must obtain before leaving Australia) 

 

LONG TERM RESIDENTS

During the first twelve months of residency

Long term residents may legally drive in France provided they have both a valid Australian State or Territory driving license AND a valid international driving permit.

After the first twelve months of residency

Long term residents CAN NO LONGER legally drive in France on Australian driving licenses. They must either stop driving or obtain a French driving license.

Exchanging an Australian driving license for a French driving license

Long term residents may exchange their Australian driving license for a French driving license provided that they:

1. Apply for the exchange during the FIRST twelve months of residency in France.
2. Possess a French titre de sejour.

Documents required for the exchange, which is applied for at one’s local Prefecture of Police include originals and photocopies of the following documents: (the below list is suggested guidelines of what the local prefecture may request). 
 

Disclaimer | Privacy | An Australian Government website | Copyright Commonwealth of Australia