Do I need an International Driving Permit to hire a car overseas?
Hiring a car can be a great way to explore a foreign country. They provide flexibility to go where you want, when you want, and can be more affordable than joining a series of tours.
But there’s one question that’s asked time and time again… do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
For some the answer is yes, for others it’s a no.
However, the answer is much more straightforward that many expect – so, let’s get to it…
Do you need an International Driver’s Permit to drive when overseas?
Do you need An International Driver’s Permit to drive overseas?
No, you don’t need an IDP if the language of your licence matches that of the country you’re visiting
You only need an IDP if your licence is in a different language to the language spoken in the country you’re visiting.
For example, my driver’s licence is in English, so I don’t need an IDP when visiting countries like the United States, Australia, Canada or England.
Yes, you need an IDP if your licence isn’t written in the same language
If your license isn’t in the same language as an official language in the country you’re visiting, you’ll need an IDP or an approved translation.
You’ll need to carry both your original driver’s license and your IDP/translation whenever you’re on the road.
⚠️ Though you might read in some Facebook Groups that in IDP isn’t required in certain countries, simply because they weren’t asked to produce on at the car hire office, doesn’t mean you don’t need one. Many car hire companies won’t ask to see your IDP, but if carrying one is a legal requirement, you won’t want to be without one – particularly if caught up in an accident.
Renting fast cars in Tokyo!
Mario Kart in Osaka – where we also needed an IDP.
What is an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
An IDP, or International Driving Permit is an official translation of your driver’s licence. It goes alongside your normal licence – it does not take the place of one.
Where can I get an IDP?
You’ll need to organise your IDP in advance, assuming you need one – remember, not everyone does.
You can check this site to learn where to organise your IDP… keep in mind that you may need to check your own country.
For example, as a New Zealander, I need to go via the AA in New Zealand to get an IDP that I can use overseas (so on this website, I need to choose New Zealand as my country).
Check your licence is good to go
Now you know if you need an IDP to go alongside your driver’s licence, let’s check your normal licence is ok to drive on.
Firstly, it needs to be valid for the duration of your stay. If it’s due to expire, we recommend renewing it before your trip overseas.
As a visitor to a new country, you can generally drive on your home licence for up to 12 months from your arrival date. Be sure to double-check the requirements for the country you plan to visit though.
Remember to carry your home licence at all times, along with a copy of your IDP if required.
And there you have it – if your licence is in the same language as that of the country you’re visiting, there’s generally no need for an IDP.
However, if your licence is in another language, you’ll need to prepare an IDP prior to your arrival.
Happy travels!
