Paris France Stories


Driving after getting the Carte de Sejour

6 post(s), 3 voice(s)
Subscribe to Recent PostsRSS feed
12 Mar 2008 9:31 a.m.
Karen Fawcett (4639 posts)
QUOTE (LUXEMBOURG @ Mar 12 2008, 01:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
But what about insurance? As someone with a carte de sejour does car insurance cover you for driving without a French drivers license?



Do check with the credit card company you plan to use to rent the car. Some offer insurance while others don't. If you're next satisfied with the extent of the coverage, the car rental company will be more than delighted to sell you insurance.

FYI == If you're driving in Italy, some rental companies insist you take it whether or not you want it!


12 Mar 2008 8:46 a.m.
Carlyn Snell (275 posts)
But what about insurance? As someone with a carte de sejour does car insurance cover you for driving without a French drivers license?
11 Mar 2008 3:13 p.m.
Karen Fawcett (4639 posts)
OK - here are the states!

France has separate reciprocity agreements with 14 U.S. states, and no others: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina, Delaware and Ohio.
11 Mar 2008 3:01 p.m.
Karen Fawcett (4639 posts)
QUOTE (LUXEMBOURG @ Mar 11 2008, 01:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Once you have lived in France for one year, you cannot drive without a French drivers license. I will post a site later that shows several states in the U.S.
have a relationship with the French that allows for a French license automatically. But if you are from any of the other states (California for us) you must get a French license. I have no idea why there are specific states that have that relationship rather than all the states. If anyone knows the answer I would certainly be curious to know.



Wow -- I used to know each and every state and was always tempted to trade in my DC driver's license in one of them. But the reality is that if you RENT a car, you're not required to have a French driver's license.

I know!!! And by the way, please rent from: An additional 5% discount is available on AutoEurope Car Rentals exclusively for http://BonjourParis.com Premium Members.

More Information >> please access the Marketplace page: and access the AutoEurope site.
If you call .. please be sure to say you're a Bonjour Paris reader!
11 Mar 2008 9:48 a.m.
Stacy Smith (917 posts)
QUOTE (LUXEMBOURG @ Mar 11 2008, 01:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Once you have lived in France for one year, you cannot drive without a French drivers license. I will post a site later that shows several states in the U.S.
have a relationship with the French that allows for a French license automatically. But if you are from any of the other states (California for us) you must get a French license. I have no idea why there are specific states that have that relationship rather than all the states. If anyone knows the answer I would certainly be curious to know.


I don't remember why some states have reciprocity and others don't, but it's annoying if your state doesn't (mine doesn't, either). If you do have to apply for a French license, you're supposed to do so at least three months before that one-year grace period is up.

Is it possible to pass the tests here without going to a driving school? Getting a French license can be so expensive!
11 Mar 2008 8:21 a.m.
Carlyn Snell (275 posts)
Once you have lived in France for one year, you cannot drive without a French drivers license. I will post a site later that shows several states in the U.S.
have a relationship with the French that allows for a French license automatically. But if you are from any of the other states (California for us) you must get a French license. I have no idea why there are specific states that have that relationship rather than all the states. If anyone knows the answer I would certainly be curious to know.