Car Rental at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Yes, you do. While some rental companies may accept just your US license, French law requires foreign drivers to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their original license. Get one from AAA or AATA before your trip for about $20. Without it, you could face fines of up to €135 if stopped by police, and your insurance may be voided in an accident.

Absolutely mandatory. The Crit'Air is France's air quality certificate required for driving in Paris's Low Emission Zone (ZFE). Without it, you face a €68 fine. Order it online at certificat-air.gouv.fr for about €4 before your trip (allow 10 days for delivery). Most rental cars are Crit'Air 1 or 2 (electric, hybrid, or recent Euro 6 diesel/gas), so you'll get the sticker from the rental company—but confirm this at pickup.

French autoroutes are expensive but well-maintained, costing roughly €0.10-0.15 per km. Most toll booths accept credit cards (look for carte symbol) or cash. An electronic tag (€3-5/day from rental companies) saves time but isn't essential for short trips. Paris to Lyon is about €25 in tolls. Avoid 'Télépéage only' lanes unless you have a tag—you can't pay cash there.

Yes—expect to pay €4-6 per hour for street parking (free Sundays and August), and €25-40/day for underground lots. Street parking uses machines or the Parkfone app; rarely meters. Avoid parking near tourist spots during market days. Better option: park at a P+R (Park & Ride) on the outskirts near Metro stations for €3-5/day and take public transit into the city center.

Priority to the right (priorité à droite) still applies on some smaller roads—even if you're on the 'main' road, vehicles entering from your right may have right of way unless signs indicate otherwise. Roundabouts are everywhere; yield to cars already inside. Speed limits: 130 km/h on highways (110 in rain), 80 km/h on rural roads, 50 km/h in cities, 30 km/h in many Paris neighborhoods. Speed cameras are common and fines are mailed to your rental company, who will charge your card plus an admin fee.

Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21, with some requiring 25 for larger vehicles. Drivers under 25 typically pay a 'young driver surcharge' of €15-25/day. Additionally, license history matters—some companies require at least 1-2 years of driving experience. If you're under 21, your options will be very limited and significantly more expensive.