If you’re thinking of driving abroad, you need to make sure you have the right documentation. This includes having an international driving permit (IDP), sometimes called an international driver’s licence.
An IDP allows you to drive in multiple countries and is a multinational version of your UK driving licence.
Here, we take a look into what an IDP is and list the countries that require you to have the permit.
What is an international driving permit?
An IDP lets you drive in more than 140 countries, including the USA.The IDP is used alongside your UK driving licence, not as a replacement. So make sure you have both with you when you drive abroad.
There are 3 different types of international driving permit – which one you need depends on the country you're driving in.
If you’re planning to drive in more than 1 country, you might need more than 1 international driving permit.
But once your IDP has expired, you need to make a new application.
IDPs are different from green cards, which are used as proof of car insurance abroad.
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When might I not need an international driving permit?
In some countries, it’s a legal requirement to have an international driving permit or international driver’s licence. In others, it’s not compulsory.
But car rental companies might not let you hire a car without it. So, it’s probably worth getting an IDP just in case.
EU countries
Generally, you don’t need an IDP to drive in the EU if you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK.
Although there are some slight variations depending on the country.
For example, in Cyprus, you need a permit if your visit is longer than 30 days.
In Estonia, you need a permit if you’re in the country for more than 90 days in any 180-day period.
In Luxembourg, you don’t need a permit unless you’re there for more than 6 months.
If you have an old-style paper driving licence, you might need an IDP. But again, it depends on which country you’re visiting.
If your driving licence was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, you might need a permit. This varies between countries so it’s important to check before you travel.
Norway
In Norway, you don’t need an IDP if your visit is for up to 90 days. If your driving licence is paper, you might need a permit.
The advice is to check with the Norwegian embassy before you travel.
Switzerland
You don’t need an international driving permit to drive in Switzerland.
When do I need an international driving permit?
USA
You need an IDP to drive in the United States. You might also have to show it to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident.
If you have a paper driving licence, you must have another form of photographic ID with you - for example, your passport.
Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand
As with most non-EU countries, you need an IDP if you want to drive.
What type of IDP do I need?
There are 3 types of international driving permit:
- IDP 1926
- IDP 1949
- IDP 1968
Which one you need depends on where you're driving.
What happens if I drive without an international driving permit?
This varies by country. But you could be given a fine or have your car confiscated if you aren’t able to show a valid IDP with your driving licence.
If you’re in a hire car when this happens, the hire car company is likely to charge you for the cost of releasing the car from the police.
How do I apply for an international driving permit?
You can’t apply for an international driving permit online. To get your international driver’s licence you need to apply in person at the Post Office.
To be eligible for an international driving permit, you must:
-
Be at least 18 years old - but some countries insist that you must be over 21 to hire a car
-
Be a UK resident
-
Have a valid, full UK driving licence
When you go to the post office, make sure you take with you:
-
Your full valid driving licence
-
A passport-sized photo that you’ve signed on the back
-
Your passport as ID, if you have an old paper driving licence
The IDP costs £5.50.
How long does an international driving permit last?
An international driving permit lasts for between 1 and 3 years, depending on the type of permit you apply for.
The 1926 and 1949 permits last for 1 year, while 1968 permits last for 3 years (unless your UK driving licence runs out before then).
What countries require an international driving permit?
Here's a full list of countries where you need an international driving permit, according to GOV.UK:
Country or territory | Type of IDP | More information |
---|---|---|
Albania
|
1968
|
|
Algeria
|
1949
|
|
Andorra
|
1949
|
|
Argentina
|
1949
|
|
Armenia
|
1968
|
|
Australia
|
1949
|
|
Austria
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here.
|
Azerbaijan
|
1968
|
|
Bahamas
|
1968
|
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
|
Bahrain
|
1968
|
IDP needed for car hire, and for stays longer than 90 days. You must get your permit certified by local authorities when you arrive.
|
Bangladesh
|
1949
|
|
Barbados
|
1949
|
|
Belarus
|
1968
|
|
Belgium
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Belgian Embassy.
|
Benin
|
1949
|
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
1968
|
|
Botswana
|
1949
|
IDP needed for car hire.
|
Brazil
|
1968
|
You need to get a certified translation of your IDP from the British consulate.
|
Bulgaria
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here.
|
Burkina Faso
|
1949
|
|
Cambodia
|
1949
|
|
Canada
|
1949
|
|
Cape Verde
|
1968
|
|
Central African Republic
|
1968
|
|
Chile
|
1949
|
|
Congo
|
1949
|
|
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
|
1968
|
|
Croatia
|
None
|
If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Croatian Embassy.
|
Cuba
|
1968
|
|
Cyprus
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for visits up to 30 days. For visits longer than 30 days you need a 1949 IDP. If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need a 1949 IDP for any length of visit. Check with the High Commission of Cyprus.
|
Czech Republic
|
None
|
If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Czech Republic Embassy.
|
Democratic Republic of Congo
|
1968
|
|
Denmark
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 90 days.
|
Dominican Republic
|
1949
|
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
|
Ecuador
|
1949
|
|
Egypt
|
1949
|
|
Estonia
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you hold a paper driving licence you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Estonian Embassy.
|
Eswatini (previously Swaziland)
|
1949
|
If you have an older, paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident.
|
Fiji
|
1949
|
|
Finland
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here.
|
France
|
None
|
If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the French Embassy.
|
French Polynesia
|
1968
|
|
Georgia
|
1968
|
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
|
Germany
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the German Embassy.
|
Ghana
|
1949
|
|
Greece
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here.
|
Guam
|
1949
|
IDP needed for stays longer than 30 days. If you have an older, paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident.
|
Guatemala
|
1949
|
|
Guyana
|
1968
|
|
Haiti
|
1949
|
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
|
Hungary
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 12 months. If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Hungarian Embassy.
|
Iceland
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 30 days.
|
India
|
1949
|
|
Iran
|
1968
|
|
Iraq
|
1968
|
|
Ireland
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 12 months.
|
Israel
|
1968
|
|
Italy
|
None
|
If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Italian Embassy.
|
Jamaica
|
1949
|
|
Japan
|
1949
|
|
Jordan
|
1949
|
|
Kazakhstan
|
1968
|
|
Kenya
|
1968
|
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
|
Kuwait
|
1968
|
|
Kyrgyzstan
|
1968
|
|
Laos
|
1949
|
|
Latvia
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here.
|
Lebanon
|
1949
|
|
Lesotho
|
1949
|
|
Liberia
|
1968
|
|
Libya
|
1949
|
|
Liechtenstein
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here.
|
Lithuania
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months.
|
Luxembourg
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months.
|
Macao (Macau)
|
1949
|
|
Madagascar
|
1949
|
|
Malawi
|
1949
|
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
|
Malaysia (Sabah)
|
1949
|
|
Mali
|
1949
|
|
Malta
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 12 months. If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need a 1949 IDP. Check with the Malta High Commission.
|
Mexico
|
1926
|
|
Moldova
|
1968
|
|
Monaco
|
1968
|
|
Mongolia
|
1968
|
|
Montenegro
|
1968
|
|
Morocco
|
1968
|
|
Myanmar (previously Burma)
|
1968
|
|
Namibia
|
1949
|
IDP needed for car hire. If you have an older, paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident.
|
Netherlands
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here.
|
New Zealand
|
1949
|
|
Niger
|
1968
|
|
Nigeria
|
1968
|
|
North Macedonia
|
1968
|
|
Norway
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 90 days. If you hold a paper driving licence you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Norwegian Embassy.
|
Pakistan
|
1968
|
|
Papua New Guinea
|
1949
|
IDP needed for stays longer than 30 days.
|
Paraguay
|
1949
|
|
Peru
|
1968
|
|
Philippines
|
1968
|
IDP needed for car hire, and for stays longer than 90 days.
|
Poland
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months.
|
Portugal
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months.
|
Qatar
|
1968
|
|
Romania
|
None
|
If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Romanian Embassy.
|
Russian Federation
|
1968
|
|
Rwanda
|
1949
|
|
San Marino
|
1968
|
|
Saudi Arabia
|
1968
|
IDP needed for car hire.
|
Senegal
|
1968
|
|
Serbia
|
1968
|
|
Seychelles
|
1968
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
1949
|
|
Singapore
|
1949
|
IDP needed for car hire, and for stays longer than 30 days.
|
Slovakia
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. For visits longer than 6 months you need a 1968 IDP.
|
Slovenia
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 90 days.
|
Somalia
|
1926
|
|
South Africa
|
1968
|
If you have an older, paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident.
|
South Korea
|
1949
|
|
Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles)
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months.
|
Sri Lanka
|
1949
|
As well as the IDP, you must get a Sri Lankan recognition permit from the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) in Colombo.
|
St. Lucia
|
1949
|
Show your UK driving licence or IDP to the police to get a visitor’s licence.
|
St. Vincent
|
1949
|
Show your UK driving licence or IDP to the police to get a visitor’s licence.
|
Sweden
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 12 months.
|
Switzerland
|
None
|
You don't need an IDP to drive here.
|
Syria
|
1949
|
|
Tajikistan
|
1968
|
|
Taiwan
|
1949
|
IDP needed for stays longer than 30 days.
|
Thailand
|
1968
|
|
Togo
|
1949
|
|
Trinidad & Tobago
|
1949
|
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
|
Tunisia
|
1968
|
|
Turkey
|
1968
|
|
Turkmenistan
|
1968
|
|
Uganda
|
1949
|
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
|
Ukraine
|
1968
|
|
United Arab Emirates
|
1968
|
|
United States
|
1949
|
"If you have an older, paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident."
|
Uruguay
|
1968
|
|
Uzbekistan
|
1968
|
|
Vatican City
|
1949
|
|
Venezuela
|
1949
|
|
Vietnam
|
1968
|
|
Zimbabwe
|
1968
|
|
Documents for driving in Europe
As well as an IDP, If you're driving in another European country, you should take:
-
Your Certificate of Motor Insurance
-
The V5C log book for the car
-
Your driving licence
-
Proof of car insurance
-
Your national insurance number
You can find more information in our guide to driving abroad.