An unfortunate experience, for sure. The laws in France are rather crazy about what you need to have in your car - even a rental car.

Of course, as always, whether the law in the Collectivitie is the same as in European France - who knows.

As a basic, though, you should always have good photo id with you when driving a car on the island (or anywhere). One of the first things I do when getting the rental car is put color photocopies of my passport and my Virginia driver's license in the glove compartment.

It may be that the fact your husband had no photo id at all with him when driving was at least part of the problem.

No one should be driving without having in their possession (e.g., in the car) a photo id - and, if you are in a foreign country - it is certainly best to have at least a color photocopy of your passport with you.

We have passed through many check points on french-side over the years on the island - always just waved on without being asked for anything.