Which Countries Will Accept an International Driving Permit?
Do you want to know which countries will accept an International Driving Permit (IDP)? Working or studying in a foreign country can bring complex issues if you intend to drive and own a car without a driving license.
If you don’t know about it beforehand, getting behind the wheel of a car with someone else’s license can have disastrous consequences.
Fortunately, as an international driver, you have several options to legally drive in other countries without worrying about local driving laws. With an International Driving Permit, you can legally drive in most countries without their local permit.
The International Driving Permit will also allow you to rent a car or borrow one from friends if necessary. Let us take look at how to apply for an International Driving Permit.
What is an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit is a license issued by the country where you are physically present. These permits are issued to foreign drivers who travel or live in countries where their own country does not have a reciprocity agreement.
The permit allows the driver to drive in that country and internationally legally.
How to Apply for an International Driving Permit?
Applying for an International Driving Permit is similar in many other countries. However, there are a few differences depending on where you are in the application process.
- You must fill out your International Driving Permit application form at the post office or online. You’ll need a couple of documents to provide with your application:
- A valid international passport
- A recent passport photo for your International Driving Permit card
- Proof that you legally live in the country where you are applying for the IDP
- A valid driver’s license from your home country
- After completing your form and paying a fee, it will be sent to your country’s licensing authority for processing.
- Your application will be returned with a letter indicating that your request has been accepted or denied.
- If approved, you will receive a temporary driving permit that can be exchanged for your permanent International Driving Permit at any police station. Not every country follows this step-by-step process, but some do.
How Many Countries Accept International Driving Permits?
An IDP lets you drive in more than 140 countries, including the USA.
If you want to drive across borders without getting pulled over by police, you must carry one of three forms of International Driving Permits. One is governed by the 1928 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, while agreements from 1949 and 1968 cover the others. You might need multiple permits depending on where you want to drive.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive within the European Union (EU)?
You do not need an International Driving Permit if you drive within the EU, because the European Union already offers reciprocal agreements with most countries. However, you will need an International Driving Permit if you plan a trip outside the EU.
Does the International Driving Permit substitute a national driving license?
The International Driving Permit allows you to drive legally in a foreign country. Still, it does not allow you to drive if you leave your country of residence without having your home country’s driving license.
If you are in the UK and want to drive abroad, the international driving permit is an addition to your British driving licence, not a substitute. It does not replace your current national driving licence; instead, it allows you to drive legally in another country.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in the UK?
You can typically use your full valid driving licence issued in your home country for up to twelve months while in the UK. You do not need an international driving permit besides your licence, but it might help prove legitimacy if your home driving licence is not printed in English.
All drivers in the UK are legally required to have valid car insurance, even if you only plan to drive occasionally or stay in the UK for a few days. If you hire a car, you won’t need to take out your insurance coverage, which will be included in the vehicle’s rental cost.
List of countries that may require International Driving Permits and the type of Permit required
| Territory or Country (A-C) | Acceptable International Driving Permits |
|---|---|
| Albania | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Albania. |
| Algeria | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Algeria. |
| Andorra | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Andorra. |
| Argentina | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Argentina. |
| Armenia | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Armenia. |
| Australia | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Australia. |
| Austria | You do not need an IDP to drive in Austria. |
| Azerbaijan | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Azerbaijan. |
| Bahamas | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in the Bahamas. You need an IDP to stay longer than 90 days. |
| Bahrain | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Bahrain. You will need an IDP for car hire, and stays longer than 90 days. When you arrive, it would be best to get your IDP certified by local authorities. |
| Bangladesh | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Bangladesh. |
| Barbados | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Barbados. |
| Belarus | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Belarus. |
| Belgium | You do not need an IDP to drive in Belgium for periods of 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 IDP is acceptable for driving in Benin. |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Bosnia & Herzegovina. |
| Botswana | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving (‘car hire’) in Botswana. |
| Brazil | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Brazil. |
| Bulgaria | You do not need an IDP to drive in Bulgaria. |
| Burkina Faso | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Burkina Faso. |
| Cambodia | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Cambodia. |
| Canada | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Canada. |
| Cape Verde | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Cape Verde. |
| Central African Republic | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in the Central African Republic. |
| Chile | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Chile. |
| Congo | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Congo. |
| Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Cote d’Ivoire. |
| Croatia | You do not need an IDP to drive in Croatia. 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 IDP is acceptable for driving in Cuba. |
| Cyprus | You do not need an IDP to drive in Cyprus for visits for up to 30 days. For visits longer than 30 days, you will 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 | You do not need an IDP to drive in the Czech Republic. 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. |
| Denmark | You do not need an IDP to drive in Denmark for periods of up to 90 days. |
|---|---|
| Dominican Republic | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in the Dominican Republic for stays longer than 90 days. |
| Ecuador | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Ecuador. |
| Egypt | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Egypt. |
| Estonia | You do not need an IDP to drive in Estonia 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 IDP is acceptable for driving in Eswatini. If you have an older, paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your international passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you are involved in an accident. |
| Fiji | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Fiji. |
| Finland | You do not need an IDP to drive in Finland. |
| France | You do not need an IDP to drive in France. 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. Confirm with the French Embassy. |
| French Polynesia | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in French Polynesia. |
| Georgia | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Georgia. IDP is needed for stays longer than 90 days. |
| Germany | You do not need an IDP to drive in Germany for periods of 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 IDP is acceptable for driving in Ghana. |
| Greece | You do not need an IDP to drive in Greece. |
| Guam | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Guam 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 international passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you are involved in an accident. |
| Guatemala | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Guatemala. |
| Guyana | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Guyana. |
| Haiti | 1949 IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days in Haiti. |
|---|---|
| Hungary | You do not need an IDP to drive in Hungary for periods of 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 | You do not need an IDP to drive in Iceland for periods of up to 30 days. |
| India | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in India. |
| Iran | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Iran. |
| Iraq | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Iraq. |
| Ireland | You do not need an IDP to drive in Ireland for periods of up to 12 months. |
| Israel | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Israel. |
| Italy | You do not need an IDP to drive in Italy. 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. Confirm with the Italian Embassy. |
| Jamaica | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Jamaica. |
| Japan | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Japan. |
| Jordan | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Jordan. |
| Kazakhstan | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Kazakhstan. |
| Kenya | 1968 IDP needed for stays in Kenya longer than 90 days. |
| Kuwait | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Kuwait. |
| Kyrgyzstan | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Krygyzstan. |
| Laos | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Laos. |
| Latvia | You do not need an IDP to drive in Latvia. |
| Lebanon | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Lebanon. |
| Lesotho | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Lesotho. |
| Liberia | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Liberia. |
| Libya | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Libya. |
| Liechtenstein | You do not need an IDP to drive in Liechtenstein. |
| Lithuania | You do not need an IDP to drive in Lithuania for periods of up to 6 months. |
| Luxembourg | You do not need an IDP to drive in Luxembourg for periods of up to 6 months. |
| Macao (Macau) | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Macao. |
|---|---|
| Madagascar | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Madagascar. |
| Malawi | 1949 IDP needed for stays in Mali longer than 90 days. |
| Malaysia (Sabah) | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Malaysia. |
| Mali | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Mali. |
| Malta | You do not need an IDP to drive in Malta for periods of 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 IDP is acceptable for driving in Mexico. |
| Moldova | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Moldova. |
| Monaco | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Monaco. |
| Mongolia | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Mongolia. |
| Montenegro | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Montenegro. |
| Morocco | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Morocco. |
| Myanmar (previously Burma) | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Myanmar. |
| Namibia | 1949 IDP is 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 are involved in an accident. |
| Nepal | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Nepal. |
| Netherlands | You do not need an IDP to drive in the Netherlands. |
| New Zealand | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in New Zealand. |
| Niger | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Niger. |
| Nigeria | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Nigeria. |
| North Macedonia | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in North Macedonia. |
| Norway | You do not need an IDP to drive in Norway for periods of up to 90 days. If you hold a paper driving license, you may need a 1968 IDP. Confirm with the Norwegian Embassy. |
| Pakistan | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Pakistan. |
| Papua New Guinea | 1949 IDP needed for stays longer than 30 days. |
| Paraguay | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Paraguay. |
| Peru | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Peru. |
| Philippines | 1968 IDP is needed for car hire in the Philippines and stays longer than 90 days. |
| Poland | You do not need an IDP to drive in Poland for periods of up to 6 months. |
| Portugal | You do not need an IDP to drive in Portugal for periods of up to 6 months. |
| Qatar | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Qatar. |
|---|---|
| Romania | You do not need an IDP to drive in Romania. 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 IDP is acceptable for driving in Russia. |
| Rwanda | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Rwanda. |
| San Marino | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in San Marino. |
| Saudi Arabia | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving (‘car hire’) in Saudi Arabia. |
| Senegal | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Senegal. |
| Serbia | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Serbia. |
| Seychelles | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Seychelles. |
| Sierra Leone | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Sierra Leone. |
| Singapore | 1949 IDP needed for car hire, and stays longer than 30 days in Singapore. |
| Slovakia | You do not need an IDP to drive in Slovakia for periods of up to 6 months. For visits longer than 6 months, you will need a 1968 IDP. |
| Slovenia | You do not need an IDP to drive in Slovenia for periods of up to 90 days. |
| Somalia | 1926 IDP is acceptable for driving in Somalia. |
| South Africa | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in South Africa. If you have an older, paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your international passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you are involved in an accident. |
| South Korea | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in South Korea. |
| Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles) | You do not need an IDP to drive in Spain for periods of up to 6 months. |
| Sri Lanka | 1949 is acceptable for driving in Sri Lanka. 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 is acceptable for driving in St. Lucia. Also, show your UK driving licence or IDP to the police to get a visitor’s licence. |
| St. Vincent | 1949 is acceptable for driving in St. Vincent. Also, show your UK driving licence or IDP to the police to get a visitor’s licence. |
| Sweden | You do not need an IDP to drive in Sweden for periods of up to 12 months. |
| Switzerland | You do not need an IDP to drive in Switzerland. |
| Syria | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Syria. |
| Tajikistan | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Tajikistan. |
|---|---|
| Taiwan | 1949 IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days in Taiwan. |
| Thailand | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Thailand. |
| Togo | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Togo. |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 1949 IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days in Trinidad and Tobago. |
| Tunisia | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Tunisia. |
| Turkey | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Turkey. |
| Turkmenistan | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Turkmenistan. |
| Uganda | 1949 IDP is needed for stays longer than 90 days in Uganda. |
| Ukraine | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Ukraine. |
| United Arab Emirates | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in the United Arab Emirates. |
| United States of America | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in the United States of America. If you have an older, paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your international passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident. |
| Uruguay | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Uruguay. |
| Uzbekistan | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Uzbekistan. |
| Vatican City | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Vatican City. |
| Venezuela | 1949 IDP is acceptable for driving in Venezuela. |
| Vietnam | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Vietnam. |
| Zimbabwe | 1968 IDP is acceptable for driving in Zimbabwe. |
