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