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 eligibility conditions page. This result is indicative only: your file is confirmed when you actually subscribe.
See also: living in France with a foreign licence · how it works · Imported vehicle · Foreign licence · Car pound release · Documents
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It takes about three minutes, and your certificate is emailed to you as soon as you have paid.
Would you rather not fill in a French form? Send us your driving licence and your registration document on WhatsApp and an English-speaking adviser completes it for you.
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Want the detail before you pay?
Age, licence, accepted vehicles, refused registrations, documents, what the policy covers and what it does not — the full conditions are set out on one page.
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.