Can I be insured ?
Seven questions, thirty seconds. You will know whether the French short-term contract applies to your case — without giving a name or a phone number.
What this answer is based on
The checker applies the actual conditions of the contract underwritten by HDI Global Specialty SE: driver aged 21 to 90, two full years of licence in the vehicle's category, nine vehicle categories covered excluding two-wheelers, and a French or European registration with the exception of Italy, Poland and Romania.
The full detail is on the Can I be insured?eligibility conditions page. Le résultat reste indicatif : seule la souscription valide votre dossier.
Assurance immédiate · Voir aussi : Imported vehicle · Foreign licence · Car pound release · Documents
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Conditions checked on 21 August 2026
Can I get insured with a foreign driving licence?
| Where your licence was issued | What is required |
|---|---|
| European Union | Nothing beyond the two-year rule |
| United Kingdom | Residence permit or passport with entry stamps |
| United States, Canada, Australia | Residence permit or passport with entry stamps |
| India, Nigeria, Philippines, any other country | Residence permit or passport with entry stamps |
| Any country — additional rule | Two full years of driving in the vehicle's category, age 21 to 90 |
An international driving permit is a translation document. It may be asked for at a roadside check, but it does not replace your licence and is not a condition of insurance.
I have just arrived in France. Can I still be insured?
Which vehicles can be insured?
| Category | Roadside assistance | Border insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Car | Included — breakdown and accident up to 10 years old, accident only beyond | Yes |
| Van | Included — breakdown and accident up to 10 years old, accident only beyond | Yes |
| Lorry | Excluded | No |
| Tractor unit | Excluded | No |
| Motorhome | Excluded | No |
| Bus and coach | Excluded | No |
| Trailer and semi-trailer | Excluded | No |
| Licence-free quadricycle | Excluded | No |
| Motorbikes and scooters | Not insurable | No |
What documents do I need?
| Accepted instead of the registration document | Condition |
|---|---|
| Provisional registration certificate (CPI) | Cover cannot end after the CPI expires |
| Auction invoice | Less than two months old |
| Police immobilisation sheet | Less than two months old |
| Signed sale certificate + registration slip | Signed by the seller |
Which vehicle registrations are refused?
A vehicle registered outside the European Union — a UK, Swiss or American plate, for instance — falls under border insurance: 30 or 90 days, cars and vans only.
What exactly does the policy cover?
| Cover | Status |
|---|---|
| Third-party liability | Included — unlimited for bodily injury |
| Criminal defence and legal recourse | Included |
| Registration in the French insured-vehicles file (FVA) | Included |
| Roadside assistance | Included — cars and vans only |
| Windscreen damage | Not included |
| Theft | Not included |
| Fire | Not included |
| Damage to the insured vehicle | Not included |
The policy is underwritten by HDI Global Specialty SE (freedom of services in France, code BCFF1048), distributed through the wholesaler JL Assure, and arranged by MS Assurance & Finance, a broker registered with the French register ORIAS under number 20009338, verifiable at orias.fr.
Where can I drive?
How fast is proof of cover?
The paper green card was withdrawn in France in April 2024 — checks are now made against the number plate through the insured-vehicles file, where your policy is registered automatically.
Not sure about your case? Message an English-speaking adviser on WhatsApp — you get an answer before you pay.
See also: Countries covered · Foreign licence · UK drivers · Border insurance
Frequently asked questions
Can I get French car insurance with a foreign driving licence?
Yes. EU licences are accepted with no extra condition. Licences issued outside the EU are accepted with a valid residence permit, or a passport carrying your entry stamps, plus two full years of driving in the category.
What is the minimum age?
21 years old. The maximum is 90. Below 21 no policy can be issued, whatever your driving experience.
How many years of licence do I need?
Two full years in the category of the vehicle insured. A two-year car licence is not enough for a lorry: what counts is seniority in category C or CE.
Do I need a French address or residence permit?
A valid residence permit is the simplest proof, but a passport carrying your entry stamps is accepted instead. No French claims-history document is required.
Is an international driving permit required?
No, not for insurance. It is a translation document that may be requested at a roadside check, but it does not replace your licence and is not a condition of cover.
I was cancelled by my previous insurer. Am I still eligible?
Yes. Drivers cancelled by a previous insurer are accepted, and no claims-history document is required at subscription.
Which vehicles can be insured?
Nine categories: car, van, lorry, tractor unit, motorhome, bus and coach, trailer, semi-trailer and licence-free quadricycle. Motorbikes and scooters cannot be insured.
Does the registration document have to be in my name?
No. Four documents stand in for it: a provisional registration certificate, an auction invoice less than two months old, a police immobilisation sheet less than two months old, or a signed sale certificate with the registration slip.
Can you insure a UK, Swiss or American-plated vehicle?
Not under the standard policy, which requires an EU registration. Those fall under border insurance: 30 or 90 days, cars and vans only.
Which countries am I covered in?
35 countries: the whole European Union, plus the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia excluding Kosovo.
Is windscreen damage, theft or fire covered?
No. The policy covers third-party liability, criminal defence and legal recourse, and roadside assistance for cars and vans. Windscreen, theft, fire and damage to your own vehicle are not included.
How quickly do I get proof of insurance?
Within minutes, by e-mail, 24/7 including weekends and public holidays. There is no waiting period — cover starts at the date and time you selected.