Driving abroad

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Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP)

You may need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some countries. The permit you may need depends on:

  • which country you’re visiting
  • how long you’re staying

You need to have a valid Great Britain (GB) or Northern Ireland driving licence to get an IDP.

If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP. You must always have your driving licence with you, as well as your IDP.

Driving in Europe

You do not need an IDP to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK.

You might need an IDP to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have either:

  • a paper driving licence
  • a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man

Check with the embassy of the country you will be driving in.

Check which IDP you need

Check the table to find out if you need an IDP. There are 3 types of IDP:

  • 1926
  • 1949
  • 1968

The IDP you need depends on what country you’re visiting.

If you’re travelling through more than one country, you might need more than one type of IDP.

If the country you’re visiting is not included in the table, check with the embassy of the country you’re travelling to.

If you’re hiring a car, check with your car hire company.

If you already have an IDP, make sure it’s still valid in the country you’re visiting.

Country or territory Type of IDP More information
Albania 1968  
Algeria 1949  
Andorra 1949  
Argentina 1949  
Armenia 1968  
Australia 1949  
Austria 1968 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
Azerbaijan 1968  
Bahamas 1968 IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
Bahrain 1968 IDP needed for car hire, and for stays longer than 90 days. You must get your permit certified by local authorities when you arrive.
Bangladesh 1949  
Barbados 1949  
Belarus 1968  
Belgium 1968 You can use a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or Isle of Man photocard driving licence for up to 6 months without an IDP.  If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
Benin 1968  
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1968  
Botswana 1949 IDP needed for car hire.
Brazil 1968  
Bulgaria 1968 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
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 1968 You can use a UK photocard driving licence without an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you hold a driving licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need an IDP. Check with the Croatian Embassy. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
Cuba 1968  
Cyprus 1949 You can use a UK photocard driving licence for up to 30 days without an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you hold a driving licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need an IDP for any length of visit. Check with the High Commission of Cyprus. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
Czech Republic 1968 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you hold a paper driving licence, or a licence from the Isle of Man, you may need an IDP. Check with the Czech Republic Embassy.
Democratic Republic of Congo 1968  
Denmark 1968 You can use a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or Isle of Man photocard licence for periods up to 90 days without an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you have a paper driving licence, you may need an IDP, check with the Danish Embassy.
Dominican Republic 1949 IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
Ecuador 1949  
Egypt 1949  
Estonia 1968 You can use a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, or Jersey photocard driving licence for periods up to 90 days in any 180-day period without an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you hold a licence from the Isle of Man, you will need to get an IDP to drive in Estonia. If you hold a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
Eswatini (previously Swaziland) 1949 If you have a paper 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 1968 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
France 1968 You do not need an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP.
French Polynesia 1968  
Georgia 1968 IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
Germany 1968 You can use a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, or Jersey photocard licence to drive for periods up to 6 months without an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you hold a licence from the Isle of Man, you will need to get an IDP. If you hold a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
Ghana 1949  
Greece 1968 You do not need an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP.
Guam 1949 IDP needed for stays longer than 30 days. If you have a paper 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.
Guatemala 1949  
Guyana 1968  
Haiti 1949 IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
Hungary 1968 You can use a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, or Jersey photocard licence without an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you hold a licence from the Isle of Man, you’ll need an IDP to drive in Hungary. If you hold a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
Iceland 1949 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP. Check with the Icelandic Embassy.
India 1949  
Indonesia 1968  
Iran 1968  
Iraq 1968  
Ireland 1949 You do not need an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP.
Israel 1968  
Italy 1968 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you hold a licence from the Isle of Man, you will need to get an IDP to drive in Italy. If you hold a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
Jamaica 1949  
Japan 1949  
Jordan 1949  
Kazakhstan 1968  
Kenya 1968 IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
Kuwait 1968  
Kyrgyzstan 1968  
Laos 1949  
Latvia 1968 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you hold a paper driving licence, or any licence from the Isle of Man, you need an IDP.
Lebanon 1949  
Lesotho 1949  
Liberia 1968  
Libya 1949  
Liechtenstein 1968 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you’re hiring a car, you should check check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you have a paper driving licence, you need to update it to a photocard licence or get a 1968 IDP.
Lithuania 1968 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you have a paper driving licence, you need to update it to a photocard licence or get a 1968 IDP.
Luxembourg 1968 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
Macao (Macau) 1949  
Madagascar 1949  
Malawi 1949 IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
Malaysia (Sabah) 1949  
Mali 1949  
Malta 1949 You can use a UK, Gibraltar, or Jersey photocard driving licence without an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you hold a licence from Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need an IDP. Check with the Maltese High Commission. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
Mexico 1926  
Moldova 1968  
Monaco 1968  
Mongolia 1968  
Montenegro 1968  
Morocco 1968  
Myanmar (previously Burma) 1968  
Namibia 1949 IDP needed for car hire. If you have a paper 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.
Nepal 1968  
Netherlands 1968 If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP.
New Zealand 1949  
Niger 1968  
Nigeria 1968  
North Macedonia 1968  
Norway 1968 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP.
Pakistan 1968  
Papua New Guinea 1949 IDP needed for stays longer than 30 days.
Paraguay 1949  
Peru 1968  
Philippines 1968 IDP needed for car hire, and for stays longer than 90 days.
Poland 1968 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP.
Portugal 1968 You can use a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or Isle of Man photocard driving licence to drive for periods up to 185 days without an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
Qatar 1968  
Romania 1968 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
Russian Federation 1968  
Rwanda 1949  
San Marino 1968  
Saudi Arabia 1968 IDP needed for car hire.
Senegal 1968  
Serbia 1968  
Seychelles 1968  
Sierra Leone 1949  
Singapore 1949 IDP needed for car hire, and for stays longer than 30 days.
Slovakia 1968 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
Slovenia 1968 You do not need an IDP if you hold a UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man photocard licence. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. If you have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP.
Somalia 1926  
South Africa 1968 If you have a paper 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.
South Korea 1949  
Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles) 1949 You do not need an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP.
Sri Lanka 1949 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 Show your UK driving licence or IDP to the police to get a visitor’s licence.
St. Vincent 1949 Show your UK driving licence or IDP to the police to get a visitor’s licence.
Sweden 1968 You do not need an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP.
Switzerland 1968 You do not need an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP.
Syria 1949  
Tajikistan 1968  
Taiwan 1949 IDP needed for stays longer than 30 days.
Thailand 1968  
Togo 1949  
Trinidad & Tobago 1949 IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
Tunisia 1968  
Turkey 1968  
Turkmenistan 1968  
Uganda 1949 IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days.
Ukraine 1968  
United Arab Emirates 1968  
United States 1949 You should check if the individual state authority says you need an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP. You may need both your driving licence and an IDP to hire a car in the US. If you have a 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.
Uruguay 1968  
Uzbekistan 1968  
Vatican City 1949  
Venezuela 1949  
Vietnam 1968  
Zimbabwe 1968  
View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Drive abroad: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check where you can use your licence

    1. Check the rules for using your driving licence abroad

    You may need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive outside the UK.

    1. You are currently viewing: Check if you need an IDP

  2. Step 2 Apply for an international driving permit (IDP)

    1. Get an IDP in person from certain shops that have PayPoint £5.50

  3. Step 3 Get insurance

    1. Check if your vehicle insurance covers you for the countries you're driving through

    Check this with your car hire company if you’re hiring a vehicle.

  4. Step 4 Prepare the documents you need to take with you

    1. Check what documents you need to take a vehicle out of the UK

    If you're hiring a car you may need to share your driving licence information with the hire company.

    1. Get a 'check code' to share your driving licence information

    If you got your licence in Northern Ireland, you’ll need to show the rental company your paper counterpart instead.

  5. Step 5 Check the rules for the country you're travelling to

    The rules for driving may be different in the country you're going to. For example, drink-driving rules might be different or you might need to carry extra equipment in your car.

    1. Check if you need to display a country sticker on your vehicle
    2. Check what you need to do if you’re driving in the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway
    3. Check the travel advice for all countries

    When you have your documents, insurance and any extra equipment you need you can drive abroad.