Guides
Do You Need a Licence to Rent a Scooter in France? (UK, US, EU visitors)
In short
Yes, you need a licence. In France, a car licence (category B) generally covers a 50cc moped. For a 125cc, visitors usually need a motorcycle category (A1, A2 or A), because the French car-licence route requires a 7-hour French training course. Non-EU licences other than UK ones need an international driving permit or an official translation.
It is the question we hear most from visitors planning a ride along the Riviera: do you need a licence to rent a scooter in France, and will yours be accepted? The answer depends on two things: the engine size you choose and the country that issued your licence. Here is a clear, honest summary, with links to official French and UK sources. Rules can change and individual situations vary, so treat this as general guidance and confirm with us before booking.
The short answer, by engine size
| Scooter | What French law requires | What most visitors need |
|---|---|---|
| 50cc (moped) | AM category, included in a car licence (B) | A valid car licence |
| 125cc (light motorcycle) | A1, A2 or A, or a French-route exception for car licence holders | A motorcycle category on your licence |
Whatever your licence, at MatMonScoot you must be at least 18 and show valid ID together with your driving licence.
Riding a 50cc in France
A 50cc scooter is legally a moped (cyclomoteur). In France it requires the AM category, which is automatically included in a car licence (category B). In practice, if you hold a full, valid car licence, a 50cc is usually the simplest choice.
You may read that people born before 1 January 1988 do not need any licence for a 50cc in France. That is true under French law, but it is a domestic exemption. As a rental company, we still ask every rider for ID and a driving licence.
Our 50cc models, such as the Dolce 50, are limited to 45 km/h. They are ideal for Nice, Villefranche, Beaulieu, Cap Ferrat and the Basse Corniche.
Riding a 125cc in France
A 125cc is a light motorcycle. The standard requirement is a motorcycle category: A1, A2 or A.
France also allows holders of a car licence to ride a 125cc, but only under strict conditions: the car licence must have been held for at least two years, and the rider must complete a 7-hour practical training course at an approved French driving school. According to the official Service-Public.fr page, holders of a European car licence must also complete this training. The course is designed for residents rather than tourists, so for a holiday it is rarely realistic.
In practice: to ride our Milano 125, plan on having a motorcycle category (A1, A2 or A, or your country's equivalent) on your licence.
Rules by country of licence
UK licence holders
A UK photocard licence is accepted for driving in France, and you do not need an international driving permit (IDP), according to GOV.UK. French rules make the same exception for British licences. If you hold an old paper licence, or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, check the GOV.UK guidance before travelling.
Look at the categories on the back of your card. A car licence (B) generally covers the 50cc. For the 125cc you need A1, A2 or A. Note that a UK CBT certificate is a training certificate, not a full licence category, so it does not cover a 125cc in France.
US, Canadian, Australian and other non-EU licences
For a short stay, French rules accept a valid foreign licence provided it is written in French or accompanied by an international driving permit or an official translation, as explained on Service-Public.fr. The IDP is the easiest option: obtain it in your home country before you leave, and keep it with your original licence.
A standard car licence generally covers the 50cc. For the 125cc you need a motorcycle entitlement, for example a motorcycle class or endorsement on a US licence. The IDP is useful here too, because it shows your categories in a standard international format.
EU and EEA licences
Licences issued in EU and EEA countries are recognised in France without an IDP. Category B includes AM, so a car licence covers the 50cc. For the 125cc, you need A1, A2 or A on your licence: as noted above, the car-licence route requires the French 7-hour training, even for European licence holders.
What to bring on delivery day
- Your original driving licence, valid and in your name.
- Your passport or national ID card.
- Your international driving permit or official translation, if your licence requires one.
- A payment card for the deposit pre-authorisation: 800 € for a 50cc, 1,000 € for a 125cc.
We deliver the scooter to your hotel, Airbnb or meeting point in Nice by appointment, and check documents on the spot.
A few French road rules for scooter riders
- Helmet: an approved helmet is compulsory for rider and passenger. We provide two.
- Gloves: CE-certified gloves have been compulsory for riders and passengers of motorcycles and mopeds since 2016, as the Sécurité Routière reminds riders. Gloves are included in your rental.
- Alcohol: the limit is 0.5 g per litre of blood, and lower for probationary licence holders. The simplest rule is not to drink and ride.
- Parking: use marked two-wheeler bays, never the pavement.
- Borders: leaving France, including to Monaco or Italy, requires MatMonScoot's prior written authorisation. Ask for it when you book.
Confirm before you book
Licence rules are national, technical and occasionally updated. This guide is general information, not legal advice. If your situation is unusual (recently issued licence, paper licence, non-standard categories), the safest move is to contact us before booking, by phone or WhatsApp on +33 7 84 95 81 53 or by email. For prices and what is included, see our scooter rental guide for Nice.
Once the paperwork is sorted, the rest is pure pleasure: a retro scooter, the Promenade des Anglais and the whole coast to explore.
FAQ
Can I rent a 50cc scooter in France with a car licence?
Generally yes. In France, a car licence (category B) includes the AM moped category that covers 50cc scooters. At MatMonScoot you must also be at least 18 and show valid ID. Non-EU licences other than UK ones need an IDP or official translation.
Can I ride a 125cc in France with only a car licence?
Usually not as a visitor. French law allows it only after two years of car licence plus a 7-hour training course at an approved French driving school, which applies to EU licences too. Most visitors need A1, A2 or A on their licence.
Do UK drivers need an international driving permit in France?
No, not with a UK photocard licence, according to GOV.UK. Holders of paper licences or licences issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man should check the GOV.UK guidance before travelling.
Do US visitors need an international driving permit?
French rules require a non-EU licence to be in French or accompanied by an international driving permit or an official translation. For US visitors, an IDP obtained before departure is the simplest solution.
