Car hire in France driving licence requirements

[JellicleCat]

It's about 5 years since I last hired a car in France. For a while we needed an extra piece of paper from the DVLC to show your UK licence was clean, but I think the last time we went this wasn't necessary anymore. Has anyone hired a car in France this year and can tell me if the UK plastic licence by itself is OK. I don't want to arrive at the airport and find I can't drive the car I've booked!

I’ve hired several times in France recently - most just want the photocard license but some want to check the license. To be able to do this, you need to create a check code on the DVLA website: https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

Brilliant thanks. And thank you for the link, I couldn't even remember that it was called a check code. Will add it to my to do list.

no problem! It’s a super quick process - I’ve even done it at the car hire place before when I’ve forgotten to do it in advance

Creating a check code is easy, I do this for UK car hire. Have a lovely time.

Only asked for physical photocard recently in France.
Martin Lewis's advice about third party excess is spot on- ie you decline the car rental company's expensive insurance and buy one through the links on his website BUT only if you can afford a month or so with the excess.
In my case in France when I returned the car in June, they said there was damage to the roof (the only place I didn't photo!) so charged me the full excess (EUR1500.) They've only just now refunded it, minus EUR275 for repairs, which the insurance company are now paying. Not bad for a five quid insurance, but it was a long wait....