Requesting an International Driving License

The international driving license is an official translation document of your French license, useful for driving in certain countries outside the European Union. It can be requested for free, but you may encounter some administrative difficulties.

This page explains how to request this license, what information to provide, and offers a ready-to-use letter template, plus a tool to automatically generate your personalized letter.

When should you write this letter?

• You're planning a trip to a country requiring an international license;
• You had difficulty requesting online;
• You need to follow up on the status of your application;
• You need to clarify special circumstances of your request.

In all these cases, a written letter remains a reliable way to follow up your request.

Required information to include

• Your first and last name and French license number;
• The countries where you plan to drive;
• Documents attached (French driving license, photo, proof of address).

The clearer your request, the faster it will be processed.

Official letter template

Important note: the letter sent to ANTS must be written in French, as it is a French administration. Below is a template you can use as a basis.

[First name LAST NAME]
[Full address]
[ANTS file number]

National Secure Documents Agency
[ANTS address]

Written in [City], on [Date]

Subject: Follow-up on my international license application

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am contacting you about my international driving license application submitted on [date].

[...]

→ The complete letter, tailored precisely to your situation and ready to send, is generated automatically in 3 minutes using the tool above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the international license free?

Yes, its issuance is completely free.

What's its validity period?

Usually 3 years, or until your French license expires, whichever comes first.

Is it necessary within the European Union?

No, your French license is sufficient to drive within EU countries.

How long does it take to issue?

Usually a few weeks, it's advisable to apply well before traveling.

Can I apply if my license is very recent?

Yes, there's no minimum holding period requirement for the French license.