Which countries do I need an international driving permit?

When you’re considering taking to the road for some international travel, you’ll probably be wondering whether there are bits of admin to do and rules and regulations with which you’ll need to comply. Amongst them is the International Driving Permit (IDP). In this blog, we are going to answer, which countries do I need an international driving permit?

An International Driving Permit is a multi-language translation of your driving licence. It includes a photograph (of you) plus your details, and entitles you to drive a motor vehicle in another country. It is not, however, to be considered a licence in itself, and it must be accompanied by the valid licence from your home country.

Does everyone need to apply for an IDP?

An IDP is recommended or required in more than 140 countries worldwide. Different countries may have slightly different requirements – and so the exact IDP you will need depends on what country you’re visiting. The Post Office has an online checker so you can see what you need – which may differ from country to country, so if you are on a longer trip and travelling through several countries you may need several IDPs.

You can apply for an IDP at a UK Post Office. There is no facility to apply for IDPs online. When you go to the Post Office you will need to take your full valid photo-card driving licence if you have one (that’s the pink plastic card), a passport standard photograph of yourself plus your valid passport (as proof of identification if presenting an older paper version licence). Even smaller Post Office branches have the authority to issue International Driving Permits, so you should easily be able to make it to a convenient branch.

Whichever country you are applying for an IDP for, the current cost is just £5.50. The 1949 permit (which entitles you to drive in Spain, Malta, Cyprus and Iceland) lasts for one year. The 1968 permit (which allows you to drive in all EU countries plus Norway and Switzerland) lasts for three years.

If you are intending to hire a car abroad and are making an advance booking from the UK, enquire with the hire company regarding compliance with driving licence requirements of the country you’re visiting. If you do not have access to this information, or cannot get it, you can apply for an IDP as something of a precautionary measure. Remember – it is the driver’s responsibility to comply with the driving authority regulations of the country they are driving in. Without an IDP when one is required, a driver is considered to be driving without a valid licence. In extreme cases the vehicle may be seized, and the driver arrested or served with a citation for a mandatory court appearance.

When you apply at a Post Office branch, the processing and receipt of an IDP should take no more than ten minutes.