French Guiana on an Indian Licence 2026: IDP or Translation

French Guiana sits on the north-east shoulder of South America, yet legally it is France: the euro, French road signs, French traffic law and right-hand driving. For a visitor from India, the paperwork question has a clear answer once you know it is the French rule that applies.

The licence rule for Indian visitors

France lets visitors drive on a valid licence issued outside the EU and EEA during a short stay, but the licence has to meet a language condition. Service-public.fr, the French government’s official guide, says it must “être rédigé en français, ou être accompagné d’un permis de conduire international … ou d’une traduction officielle.” An Indian licence is not in French, so you need one of two add-ons:

• An international driving permit. India is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention, and France recognises that permit. Apply at your RTO before you fly, because it cannot be issued in French Guiana.
• An official French translation. If it is made outside France it has to be legalised or apostilled. If it is made in France it must come from an authorised translator or from the Indian embassy.

Carry the licence itself as well, along with your passport. Hire companies can set stricter conditions, such as a minimum age or years of experience, so ask yours before you book.

Changing sides

India drives on the left and French Guiana on the right. The open coastal road is rarely the problem. The risk comes at turns, roundabouts and car-park exits, where your instinct points the wrong way. Do your first loop around Cayenne or Kourou at a quiet hour.

Alcohol and emergencies

GOV.UK’s advice for French Guiana puts the blood-alcohol limit at 0.05%, and drink-driving can mean a fine or prison. The simplest rule is to drink nothing before you drive. For emergencies, dial 112, or call 15 for an ambulance, 18 for the fire service and 17 for the police.

Most roads run along the coast. Inland, the rainforest has very few roads, so plan fuel and water for any long stretch. The Driving Permit Checker compares other destinations, and the France Crit’Air and ZFE guide covers the low-emission rules if you go on to mainland France.

Sources

• Service-public.fr, driving in France on a foreign licence during a short stay (F1459): https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1459
• GOV.UK foreign travel advice, French Guiana (drink-drive limit, emergency numbers): https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/french-guiana
• UN Treaty Collection, 1949 Convention on Road Traffic (XI-B-1), list of parties: https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11