A quick look at the
French tourism website reveals this:
Which documents need to be provided?
Proof of identity (a passport is required for non-EU citizens)
A valid driver's license, keeping in mind:
Declarations of loss or theft as well as suspended/restricted licenses will not be accepted.
For non-EU citizens, an international permit or an official French translation of a national permit normally needs to be accompanied by a national permit in order to be accepted. In Canada, international driving permits are provided by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). For more information, click here.
Originally Posted by
stimpy
Thanks for the link, but give it a closer read. It doesn't say you have to have an IDP or an official translation if you are here on vacation. It just says translation or written in French, or an IDP. Or a license that is already in French. And as the Canadian drivers license is already bilingual then the OP is fine.
.
Canada is only bilingual at the federal level and there's the "where numbers warrant" constitutional clause. Canadian provincial DLs were until recently, it seems in English only except for Quebec. BC is definitely English-only. Alberta and Saskatchewan appear to be the same, Quebec is probably French only while possibly New Brunswick and maybe Ontario are bilingual. Manitoba, PEI, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia appear to be bilingual now too. The 3 territories are bilingual are they still under the governance of the federal government.
So it would appear that if you have a newer DL issued by any province and territory except the 3 westernmost ones, you're o.k.
As for reciprocity (when it comes to exchanging DLs), it it a bit interesting. Alberta and Manitoba DLs (among others) are exchangeable for French ones but BC ones are not.
I can't remember if the Citröen rep at MRS asked me for an IDP when I picked up the repurchase can 1 1/2 years ago. Didn't have use for it otherwise but I had it just in case.