Traveling by car

Even if the use of public transport and bike is recomended, especially in the city, you will find in this section all the information you need to travel around by car and drive.

Driving with a foreign driver’s license

Your driver’s license may be valid in France, depending on the country where it was obtained, the length of your stay, and the type of residence permit you hold.

Driving license obtained in Europe (EEA)

If your license was issued in a European Economic Area (EEA) member state, or in the United Kingdom before 2021, you are entitled to drive in France under the conditions detailed in the link below.
However, if you obtained it in exchange for a license issued in another country, different conditions apply.

Visit the French official information website to know more about the conditions to be met to drive in France.
Driving in France with a European (EEA) licence

Driving license obtained in another country

You have a student ("Étudiant") residence permit
You can drive with your foreign driver's license and during your period of studies under certain conditions.
Your foreign license must be written in French, or else accompanied by a certified French translation (done by a sworn translator (“traducteur assermenté”)).
At the end of your studies, if you obtain another residence permit, you may in some cases be able to request to exchange your license for a French driver's license.

Visit the French official information website to know more about the conditions to be met to drive in France with a student residence permit.
Driving in France with a foreigner licence (short stay, study)
You have another type of residence permit
If your driver's license was issued by a country that has an agreement with France, you can request an exchange with a French driver's license. If not, you will have to retake your driver's license in France.
Find all the conditions to be met on the French administration website:
Exchange of non-EEA driving licences (installation in France)
 

Carpooling

Carpooling is a convenient, environmentally-friendly and economical solution for traveling by car.
Drivers and passengers offer and search for journeys through one of the several websites available, which list the available journeys along with dates and price information.
Interested passengers simply get in touch with the driver, and they finalize the journey details together.

Carpooling to and from the Grenoble campuses

The CAESUG has set up a carpooling platform to put drivers offering spare seats in touch with passengers looking for a ride to and from the Grenoble campuses (St-Martin-d'Hères campus, presqu'île scientifique, la Tronche health site).
Visit the CAESUG carpooling website to find out more

Carpooling in Isère

To carpool between Voironnais, Grésivaudan and Grenoble, use the M covoit' Lignes+ service.
Find out more about M covoit' Lignes+
Download the M covoit' Lignes+ carpooling application

Carpooling in Drôme and Ardèche

You can carpool around Valence and in Drôme Ardèche thanks to the Mov'ici service.
Find out more about Mov'ici and download the application
Students: join the carpooling community

Car sharing

Car sharing is a simple, convenient rental system for people who need a car on an occasional or regular basis.
In Grenoble and Valence, Citiz Alpes Loire runs a car-sharing scheme.
Visit the Citiz Alpes-Loire website
Published on  January 8, 2021
Updated on April 3, 2023