An Ultimate Guide to International Driving Permits

It isn't common knowledge, but many countries in Europe and around the world require travelers to hold an IDP (or, International Driving Permit) in order to rent a car.

While this might sound intimidating, applying for an International Driving Permit is a relatively simple process, and once you have it you will be able to drive in 150 different countries.

This leaves a few lingering questions, however. What exactly is an international driving permit? What does it do? And most relevant, do you need one for your upcoming trip to Europe?

What to know about IDPs

International Driving Permits (they're also sometimes called International Driving Licenses, though they're not really a license) are official translations of your current driver's license recognized in foreign countries.

Some countries require travelers to hold an IDP when driving in their country. Others may not require it, but rental car companies abroad still could. For instance, Belgium doesn't require US and UK citizens with valid driver's licenses to get an IDP, but a rental car company there could.

An IDP isn't a substitute for a driver's license. You can only apply for an IDP if you currently have an unexpired driver's license. Instead, it's a document that translates your current license, details its permissions and restrictions, and tells local authorities that you know how to operate a motor vehicle, and moreover, are qualified to in your country of residence.

This helps local authorities understand your qualifications if they pull you over or are at the scene of a traffic incident.

All of that said, when you get an IDP, you will need to carry both your driver's license AND the IDP while driving abroad.

Who needs an International Driving Permit

Whether or not you need an IDP to drive abroad depends on a few of things:

• Which country you hold a valid driver's license in.
• Where you're traveling to.
• How long you'll be there.

The best way to tell if you need an IDP is to go to the official embassy website of the country you're visiting.

That said, here is a helpful guide for some popular countries in Europe that require IDP for specific drivers.

There is one thing to note, and that's point number three above. The information found below is for short trips to foreign countries, not residency or immigration. If you are planning to become a resident in a foreign country, there are other guidelines you will need to follow. European countries typically require you to switch to a license from there. Sometimes your current license from abroad can be exchanged, though other times it can't be. That's a whole other topic.

Austria

United States: Required. An IDP (or official translation of your license) is mandatory for Americans traveling to Austria with a US driver's license. You can get your IDP for Austria through ÖAMTC or ARBÖ or at AAA in the US.

United Kingdom: Not required. You do not need an IDP to drive in Austria, so long as you have a valid photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man. If you have a paper license, you will need to either upgrade it to a photocard or get an IDP.

Belgium

United States: Not required. Belgium does not require those with a US driver's license to get an IDP.

United Kingdom: Not required. You do not need to apply for an IDP if you have a photocard license from either the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man. If you have a paper license, on the other hand, you need to either upgrade it to a photocard or get an International Driving Permit in order to legally operate a motor vehicle in Belgium.

Bulgaria

United States: Required. An IDP is required for travelers with a US driver's license. Additionally, you have to apply for your IDP before leaving the States. Most rental car companies in Bulgaria will ask to see your IDP before renting to you.

United Kingdom: Not required. You do not need an IDP to drive in Bulgaria if you have a photocard license. If you have a paper one, you need to get an IDP (or update your paper license to a photocard one). This is the case if you have a license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.

Croatia

United States: Not required. There are no IDP requirements for those driving in Croatia with a US driver's license (for short trips).

United Kingdom: Not required. If you hold a valid UK driving license photocard, you do not need an IDP to drive in Croatia. If you hold a photocard from Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man, on the other hand, an IDP may be required. If you have a paper driving license, you need to update it to a photocard. If not, you will need an IDP to drive in Croatia.

Cyprus

United States: Not required. An IDP isn't required for travelers with a US driver's license.

United Kingdom: Not required. Travelers with a UK photocard can drive in Cyprus for up to 30 days without an IDP. If you have a paper license, it needs to be updated to a photocard. If it isn't, you will need an IDP to drive in Cyprus. Travelers with a photocard license from Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man may need an IDP.

Czechia

United States: Required. An IDP is required for travelers who want to drive in Czechia with a US driver's license. If you don't have one and are pulled over or get into an accident, you may be fined. If you need to file an insurance claim for a car-related accident, it could be denied without proof of your IDP.

United Kingdom: Not required. Travelers with a valid photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, or Jersey do not need an IDP to drive in Czechia. That said, if you have a paper license or a license from the Isle of Man, you may need an IDP.

Denmark

United States: Not required. Travelers with a valid US driver's license can legally drive in Denmark for up to 90 days without an IDP.

United Kingdom: Not required. Travelers with a valid license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man can drive in Denmark for up to 90 days without an IDP. That said, if you have a paper license, you might need an IDP.

Estonia

United States: Not required. Typically speaking, a US driver's license is sufficient in Estonia. However, if your license doesn't have a symbol and description of which vehicle category you're qualified to operate, then an IDP is required.

United Kingdom: Not required. Travelers with a valid photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, or Jersey do not need an IDP to drive in Estonia for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Travelers with a driving license from the Isle of Man or a paper license require an IDP (with a paper license, you can update it to a photocard instead of getting an IDP. It's one or the other).

Finland

United States: Not required. Travelers with a US license do not need an IDP to drive in Finland. That said, you must be 18 years old to drive in Finland with a US license.

United Kingdom: Not required. An International Driving Permit is not required to drive in Finland if you have a valid photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man. If your license is paper, you need to either update it to a photocard or get an IDP.

France

United States: Required. You can only drive in France with a US license if you have an official notarized translation and/or an IDP. You must be 18 years or older to drive in France.

United Kingdom: Not required. You do not need an IDP to drive in France if you have a driving license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.

Germany

United States: Not required. Travelers with a US driver's license can drive in Germany without an IDP.

United Kingdom: Not required. Travelers who hold a valid photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, or Jersey do not need an IDP and can drive in Germany for up to 6 months. If you hold a license from the Isle of Man, or you have a paper license, you will need to apply for an IDP before driving in Germany.

Greece

United States: Required. An IDP is mandatory for driving in Greece with a US license. Fines are extremely high if you're caught driving without one. You need to apply for your IDP through AAA or AATA, and it's recommended that you do it before you leave on your trip. While it's possible to apply from Greece via mail-in, the process can take weeks.

United Kingdom: Not required. Travelers with driving licenses from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man do not need an IDP to drive in Greece.

Hungary

United States: Required. Travelers with a US driver's license need to have it officially translated into Hungarian. This can be through applying for an IDP. (Note, an IDP isn't technically required - a Hungarian translation is. However, an IDP meets the qualifications of a Hungarian translation).

United Kingdom: Not required. If you have a photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, or Jersey, you do not need to get an IDP to drive in Hungary. If you have a license from the Isle of Man or a paper one, an IDP is required.

Iceland

United States: Not required. An IDP is not required for travelers with a US driver's license.

United Kingdom: Not required. You do not need an IDP to drive in Iceland, so long as you have a photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man. If you have a paper license, you need an IDP. The UK government recommends checking with the Icelandic Embassy.

Italy

United States: Not required. Travelers with a US driver's license do not need an accompanying IDP to drive in Italy.

United Kingdom: Not required. If you hold a valid photocard license from either the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, or Jersey, an International Driving Permit is not required to drive in Italy. That said, if your license is from the Isle of Man or is a paper license, an IDP is required.

Latvia

United States: Required. An IDP is required for travelers with a US driver's license. This can be obtained through AAA or AATA. If you don't have an IDP, police can confiscate your vehicle.

United Kingdom: Not required. Travelers with a photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, or Jersey don't need an International Driving Permit to drive in Latvia. Those with a license from the Isle of Man, or who hold a paper license, will need to apply for an IDP to drive there.

Liechtenstein

United States: Required. Travelers with a valid US driver's license do not need an IDP to drive in Liechtenstein. Do keep in mind that you must be 18 years or older to drive in Liechtenstein.

United Kingdom: Not required. Travelers with a valid photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man do not need an IDP to drive in Liechtenstein. If you hold a paper license, you need to either update it to a photocard or get a 1968 IDP.

Lithuania

United States: Required. An IDP is not required for travelers with a valid US driver's license.

United Kingdom: Not required. Travelers who hold a valid photocard license from either the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man don't need to get an International Driving Permit before driving in Lithuania. That said, if your license is paper, you'll need to either update it to a photocard or get a 1968 IDP.

Luxembourg

United States: Required. Travelers with a valid US driver's license do not need an international driving permit to drive in Luxembourg.

United Kingdom: Not required. To drive in Luxembourg, travelers who hold a valid photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man do not need an IDP. However, if you have a paper license, you will need to get an IDP unless you update it to a photocard.

Malta

United States: Not required. An International Driving Permit is not required for travelers with a valid US driver's license.

United Kingdom: Not required. Travelers who hold a valid photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, or Jersey can drive in Malta without an IDP. If you hold a license from Guernsey or the Isle of Man, or a paper license, getting an IDP is mandatory.

The Netherlands

United States: Not required. Travelers with a US driver's license do not need an IDP to drive in the Netherlands.

United Kingdom: Not required. You do not need an IDP to drive in the Netherlands.

Norway

United States: Not required. You do not need an IDP if you have a valid US driver's license.

United Kingdom: Not required. You do not need an IDP to drive in Norway if you have a photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man. If you have a paper license, it must either be updated to a photocard or you will need to get an IDP.

Poland

United States: Required. An IDP is mandatory for travelers with a US driver's license. You have to apply for it in the US before leaving for Poland.

United Kingdom: Not required. Travelers with a photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man do not need to apply for an IDP to drive in Poland. If you have a paper license, on the other hand, an IDP is required unless you update it to a photocard.

Portugal

United States: Not required. You can drive in Portugal with a US driver's license, but an IDP is recommended.

United Kingdom: Not required. Travelers with a photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man can drive for up to 185 days in Portugal without an IDP. If you hold a paper license, it needs to either be updated to a photocard or you will need an IDP.

Romania

United States: Required. Travelers with a US driver's license must obtain an IDP before driving in Romania. Romania's driving laws are very strict.

United Kingdom: Not required. An IDP isn't required for travelers who hold a photocard license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man. Paper licenses must be updated to photocards for this to apply. If not, an IDP is required.

Slovakia

United States: Required. An International Driving Permit is mandatory for travelers driving in Slovakia with a US driver's license.

United Kingdom: Not required. To drive in Slovakia, an IDP is only required if you have a paper license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man. If you hold a photocard license, you do not need an IDP to drive in Slovakia.

Slovenia

United States: Required. Travelers with a US driver's license must also have an IDP in order to legally drive in Slovenia.

United Kingdom: Not required. Travelers with a paper license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man must get an IDP to drive in Slovenia. If you hold a photocard license, you do not need an IDP.

Spain

United States: Required. An IDP is required for travelers with a US driver's license, and the car rental company will typically ask to see it before renting to you.

United Kingdom: Not required. You do not need an IDP to drive in Spain. This includes the Canary and Balearic Islands.

Sweden

United States: Not required. Sweden does not require an IDP for travelers with a valid US driver's license.

United Kingdom: Not required. An IDP is not required for travelers with a license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.

Switzerland

United States: Not required. An IDP isn't required for travelers with a valid US driver's license.

United Kingdom: Not required. An International Driving Permit isn't required for travelers with a valid license from the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.

FAQs about International Driving Permits