Car Hire at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE)

Your UK driving licence is valid in France, but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended as a backup—many rental companies ask for it and police may require it during checks. An IDP costs around £5.50 from the Post Office and takes minutes to obtain. Carry both documents at all times. The minimum age to rent a car is typically 21, with a young driver surcharge of roughly €25–35 per day for drivers under 25.

French motorways (autoroutes) use a toll system (péage) with toll booths accepting contactless bank cards, credit cards, and cash. Most major rental cars now come with aTélépéage badge for drive-through convenience, but you'll be billed later. Tolls from Nice to Monaco cost about €3, while Nice to Cannes runs roughly €8–10. Budget €30–50 per day in tolls if exploring the Riviera extensively.

Yes—street parking in central Nice is pricey and competitive. The Blue Zone (zone bleue) requires a parking disc valid for 1–2 hours at €1–3 per hour. Underground car parks near the Promenade des Anglais charge €2–3 per hour or €25–35 per day. Avoid parking in the Old Town's ZTL (limited traffic zone) unless your accommodation has a permit, or you risk a €35–75 fine.

Speed limits on the Riviera: 130 km/h on autoroutes (often reduced to 110 km/h in wet weather), 90 km/h on dual carriageways, 50 km/h in urban areas, and frequently 30 km/h in residential zones near schools. France uses fixed speed cameras (radars) and mobile camera vans—all legally marked with warning signs 200–500m ahead. Fines start at €68 for minor speeding and escalate rapidly for excess of 40 km/h.

Nice itself sees virtually no snow and never requires winter tyres, but if you're driving to nearby Alpine destinations (Isola 2000, Auron), snow chains or winter tyres become mandatory on certain mountain roads between November and April—often enforced with fines up to €135. Most Alpine rental packages include chains; confirm with your provider. Summer tyres are insufficient for mountain passes year-round.

Avoid declining all coverage to save money—France has strict liability rules and even minor scratches can cost €500–1,000 to repair. A CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) with theft protection from the rental company typically costs €20–40 per day with a €1,000–2,000 excess. Many UK credit cards provide complimentary CDW when paid in full, but expect to leave a large pre-authorisation (often €1,500–2,500) on your card. For peace of mind on Alpine mountain roads, consider adding Super Collision Damage Waiver to eliminate the excess entirely.