Can I have both US and French driving licence and use latter at second home?

Reader Question: We are Americans who spend part of the year in France and part in California (our main residence). Can I obtain a French driving licence as it would be better for hiring, or if I one day buy a French car. I do not want to give up my US one. 

You cannot have more than one driving licence at a time so to obtain a French licence it would normally be necessary to look into whether an exchange is possible. 

With regard to France, however, you cannot exchange a foreign licence for a French one unless you have transferred your main home to France. 

In which case, most non-EU licence holders are required to exchange their licence within the first 12 months of moving to France (typically starting from when a long-stay visa ‘equivalent to a residency card’ is validated). 

However, exchange requires a specific agreement to be in place between the place issuing the licence and France, and such rules are not in place between France and some US states, including California. 

This means to obtain a French driving licence, you would need to surrender your Californian licence and take a French driving test (theory and practical elements included).

Therefore, you should keep your Californian licence in this case.

In terms of renting, we have previously covered the issue of non-French licence holders being refused rental vehicles at certain establishments. 

Generally however, there are no specific rules stopping foreign licence holders from renting a vehicle. Having an international driving permit (IDP) may help – and some companies may ask for this – but this is not always required. Alternatively, you could have a sworn translation of it made.

You do not need a French driving licence to buy a vehicle here.

However, you will need valid proof of address (such as a utility bill) from your second home, and the vehicle will have to be registered and insured.