×
Up to 15% OFF All Season Tyres
T&Cs apply
Tyres  /  Tyre NewsHelp and Advice  / International Driving Permits (IDPs): What You Need to Know

International Driving Permits (IDPs): What You Need to Know

International Driving Permits (IDPs): What You Need to Know

If you are you planning a trip abroad and are going to be driving – either your own car, a friend’s car or a hire car – then you may be required to hold an International Driving Permit (IDP).

This document is sometimes overlooked and can make or break your driving plans if you require one, but do not have one.

This article covers what an IDP is, who needs one, and how to get one.

What Is an International Driving Permit?

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an official, multi-language translation of your UK driving licence.

It is not a replacement to your licence. Rather it acts as a supplementary document. It is recognised in over 150 countries.

It works to help bridge any language gap and confirms your eligibility to drive abroad.

Key Facts About IDPs:

Do You Need an International Driving Permit?

IDP requirement depends on the country you will be visiting. Some countries require an IDP even for short stays.

Your UK driving licence type also affects this. If you hold a photocard licence, you may not need an IDP in most EU countries.

If you have a paper licence or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man, you’re more likely to need one.

Countries That Require an IDP

EU Countries - generally, no IDP is needed for photocard licence holders. However, those with paper licences should check requirements for countries like Norway, Croatia, and Malta.

Non-EU Countries - popular holiday destinations such as the USA, Japan, and Australia often require an IDP.

If you are unsure, we recommend that you use the PayPoint IDP Checker. Alternatively, you can check with the British embassy of your destination to confirm.

How to Get an International Driving Permits

Getting an IDP is straightforward.

You can apply for one at any PayPoint store that offers the IDP services.

When applying for your IDP you will need to bring the required documents:

Applying for IDP in Advance

You can apply for an IDP up to three months before your trip. It is worth noting that the IDP cannot be issued retrospectively.

Driving Without an International Driving Permit

Driving in a country that requires an IDP without one can led to:

If in doubt, it’s better to carry an IDP. It’s a small investment that saves you from significant headaches.

Additional Tips for Driving Abroad

IDP Country Table

The following has been sourced from the .gov website:

Country

Type of IDP

Notes

Albania

1968

 

Algeria

1949

 

Andorra

1949

 

Argentina

1949

 

Armenia

1968

 

Australia

1949

 

Austria

None

Azerbaijan

1968

 

Bahamas

1968

IDP needed if you are staying for more than 90 days.

Bahrain

1968

IDP needed for car hire, and if you are staying for more than 90 days.

Bangladesh

1949

 

Barbados

1949

 

Belarus

1968

 

Belgium

None

Paper driving licence holders may require a 1968 IDP. Check with the Embassy.

Benin

1949

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

1968

 

Botswana

1949

IDP needed for car hire.

Brazil

1968

 

Bulgaria

None

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

Paper driving licence holders may require a 1968 IDP. Check with the Embassy.

Cuba

1968

 

Cyprus

None

When visiting for up to 30 days an IDP is not required. For visits longer check with the High Commission of Cyprus.

Czech Republic

None

Paper driving licence holders may require a 1968 IDP. Check with the Embassy.

Democratic Republic of Congo

1968

 

Denmark

None

Dominican Republic

1949

IDP needed if you are staying for more than 90 days.

Ecuador

1949

 

Egypt

1949

 

Estonia

None

You do not 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

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

France

None

French Polynesia

1968

 

Georgia

1968

Germany

None

You do not 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 do not need an IDP to drive here.

Guam

1949

As well as an IDP, paper UK driving licence holders will need to also have photographic ID, such as your passport.

Guatemala

1949

 

Guyana

1968

 

Haiti

1949

IDP needed if you are staying for more than 90 days.

Hungary

None

Paper driving licence holders may require a 1968 IDP. Check with the Embassy.

Iceland

None

India

1949

 

Iran

1968

 

Iraq

1968

 

Ireland

None

Israel

1968

 

Italy

None

Jamaica

1949

 

Japan

1949

 

Jordan

1949

 

Kazakhstan

1968

 

Kenya

1968

IDP needed if you are staying for more than 90 days.

Kuwait

1968

 

Kyrgyzstan

1968

 

Laos

1949

 

Latvia

None

Lebanon

1949

 

Lesotho

1949

 

Liberia

1968

 

Libya

1949

 

Liechtenstein

None

Lithuania

None

Luxembourg

None

Macao (Macau)

1949

 

Madagascar

1949

 

Malawi

1949

IDP needed if you are staying for more than 90 days.

Malaysia (Sabah)

1949

 

Mali

1949

 

Malta

None

Paper driving licence holders may require a 1968 IDP. Check with the Embassy.

Mexico

1926

 

Moldova

1968

 

Monaco

1968

 

Mongolia

1968

 

Montenegro

1968

 

Morocco

1968

 

Myanmar (previously Burma)

1968

 

Namibia

1949

As well as an IDP, paper UK driving licence holders will need to also have photographic ID, such as your passport.

Nepal

1968

 

Netherlands

None

New Zealand

1949

 

Niger

1968

 

Nigeria

1968

 

North Macedonia

1968

 

Norway

None

Paper driving licence holders may require a 1968 IDP. Check with the Embassy.

Pakistan

1968

 

Papua New Guinea

1949

IDP needed for stays longer than 30 days.

Paraguay

1949

 

Peru

1968

 

Philippines

1968

IDP needed if you are staying for more than 90 days.

Poland

None

Portugal

None

Qatar

1968

 

Romania

None

Paper driving licence holders may require a 1968 IDP. Check with the Embassy.

Russian Federation

1968

 

Rwanda

1949

 

San Marino

1968

 

Saudi Arabia

1968

Senegal

1968

 

Serbia

1968

 

Seychelles

1968

 

Sierra Leone

1949

 

Singapore

1949

Slovakia

None

Slovenia

None

Somalia

1926

 

South Africa

1968

As well as an IDP, paper UK driving licence holders will need to also have photographic ID, such as your passport.

South Korea

1949

 

Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles)

None

Sri Lanka

1949

You also need a Sri Lankan recognition permit.

St. Lucia

1949

Show your IDP to the police to receive a visitor’s licence.

St. Vincent

1949

Show your IDP to the police to receive a visitor’s licence.

Sweden

None

Switzerland

None

Syria

1949

 

Tajikistan

1968

 

Taiwan

1949

IDP needed for stays longer than 30 days.

Thailand

1968

 

Togo

1949

 

Trinidad & Tobago

1949

IDP needed if you are staying for more than 90 days.

Tunisia

1968

 

Turkey

1968

 

Turkmenistan

1968

 

Uganda

1949

IDP needed if you are staying for more than 90 days.

Ukraine

1968

 

United Arab Emirates

1968

 

United States

1949

As well as an IDP, paper UK driving licence holders will need to also have photographic ID, such as your passport.

Uruguay

1968

 

Uzbekistan

1968

 

Vatican City

1949

 

Venezuela

1949

 

Vietnam

1968

 

Zimbabwe

1968

 

International Driving Permits

Whether you’re hiring a car for a weekend getaway or embarking on a long-term road trip, getting an IDP can be an important essential part of your travel bag. If it is required.  

Make sure that you check requirements and apply in advance. That way you are able to enjoy a seamless driving experience abroad.

Buy new tyres at Blackcircles.com
Want exclusive motoring news?

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest EV, Performance, SUV & 4x4 content

Join our mailing listSign up
Back to news

Join the conversation

We love to hear from our customers. Connect with us today and let’s start a conversation.

PayPal
Representative Example: Purchase rate: 23.9% p.a. (variable). Representative: 23.9% APR (variable). Assumed Credit Limit: £1,200

PayPal Credit and PayPal Pay in 3 are trading names of PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH. Terms and conditions apply. Credit subject to status and approval, 18+ UK residents only. PayPal Credit and PayPal Pay in 3 are a form of credit, so carefully consider whether the purchase is affordable and how you will make the repayments. PayPal Pay in 3 is not regulated by the FCA. See product terms for more details and FAQs. Learn more about PayPal Credit.  Learn more about PayPal Pay in 3.