French Licence in Albania, 2026: Zero Alcohol, IDP Advised
France
Albania
Yes: a French licence works in Albania for up to a year, with a 1968-model IDP advised (the 1949 model is refused). Both drive on the right; alcohol is zero and towns are 40 km/h.
Unlike most of Europe, Albania does not simply wave a French licence through without a second look, so the question of documents deserves a clear answer.
The verdict for French licence holders
You can drive in Albania on your French licence. Both countries are parties to the 1968 Vienna Convention, and a foreign licence can be used for up to one year; after that an Albanian licence is needed. An international driving permit is recommended as an extra at rental desks and roadside checks, but note the detail: UK travel advice says Albania no longer accepts the 1949 model, so if you get one, make sure it is the 1968 version. Carry the licence, the permit and your passport together.
No side switch, but zero alcohol
Albania drives on the right, like France. What is far stricter is alcohol: the limit is zero, against France’s 0.05%. Under the Road Code as amended by Law 58/2026, a reading up to 0.3 g/l costs ALL 5,000-15,000, and higher readings add licence suspension. Enforcement on the coast in summer is real.
Low limits and rough roads
Towns are 40 km/h, rural roads 80 (90 on main interurban roads) and motorways 130. UK advice describes driving as hazardous and often aggressive, with poor surfaces in rural areas and, at night, unmarked roadworks, potholes and unlit vehicles. Speeding up to 10 km/h over costs ALL 1,000-3,000, and 10-30 km/h over ALL 2,000-4,000.
Before you collect the car
Save the emergency numbers: police 112, ambulance 127, fire 128. Download offline maps, as rural signal is patchy. See the Albania driving guide, the Driving Permit Checker and the Speeding Fine Calculator.
Sources
- Road Code of the Republic of Albania, law no. 8378/1998, consolidated text including Law 58/2026 (speed limits, speeding and alcohol penalties): qbz.gov.al
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Albania: safety and security (one-year limit; 1968 IDP useful; 1949 IDP no longer accepted; road conditions): gov.uk
- Global Affairs Canada, Albania travel advice (112, 127, 128): travel.gc.ca
- UN Treaty Collection, 1968 Convention on Road Traffic (Albania 2000, France 1971): treaties.un.org
- WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, France profile (0.05 g/dl): who.int
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
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Winter tyres in Albania — 2026–27 season
Winter tyres are required in Albania whenever conditions are wintry — When conditions require.
- Tread minimum: 1.6 mm — Albania sets no separate winter figure.
- Accepted marking: None specified in the Highway Code
- Studded tyres: banned
Checked against national legislation, 1 Oct 2026 · Full Albania tyre law · Compare all countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. France and Albania are both parties to the 1968 Vienna Convention, and visitors can drive on a foreign licence for up to a year. A 1968-model IDP is a useful extra at rental desks and roadside checks; Albania no longer accepts the 1949 model. Bring your passport too.
Zero: Albania bans driving after drinking, far stricter than France's 0.05%. Under the Road Code as amended by Law 58/2026, a reading up to 0.3 g/l costs ALL 5,000-15,000, with suspensions above that.
Yes. Both countries drive on the right, so junctions and roundabouts work the way your instincts expect.