International Driving Permits (IDPs)
What is an IDP?
IDPs support a British or Northern Irish licence in countries where photographic proof of ID is needed, or where your licence alone may not be enough.
There are 3 types of IDPs, and the right one for you depends on the
country or countries you wish to drive in.
How do I get an international driving permit?
If you have a full UK driving licence - either a photocard or paper version - you can apply for an IDP at PayPoint stores.
If you hold a driving licence from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a foreign country or drive under a diplomatic licence, you are unfortunately not eligible to apply.
Full valid GB or Northern Ireland driving licence -
photocard or an older paper licence
The £5.50 application fee
(cash or card)
A passport standard photograph -
a recent true likeness of the applicant
Original valid passport as proof of identification,
if presenting an older paper version licence
Which IDP do I need?
You don't need an IDP to drive here
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days
IDP needed for car hire, and for stays longer than 90 days. You must get your permit certified by local authorities when you arrive
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. If you have a paper driving licence, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Belgian Embassy
IDP needed for car hire
You don't need an IDP to drive here
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
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for visits up to 30 days. For visits longer than 30 days you’ll 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
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
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 90 days
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days
You don’t need an IDP to drive here 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
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’re involved in an accident
You don’t need an IDP to drive here
You don’t need an IDP to drive here
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods 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
You don’t need an IDP to drive here
IDP needed 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 passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods 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
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 30 days
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 12 months
You don’t need an IDP to drive here
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days
You don’t need an IDP to drive here
You don’t need an IDP to drive here
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods 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
IDP 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’re involved in an accident
You don’t need an IDP to drive here
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 90 days. If you hold a paper driving licence you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Norwegian Embassy
IDP needed for stays longer than 30 days
IDP needed for car hire, and for stays longer than 90 days
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods 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 Romanian Embassy
IDP needed for car hire
IDP needed for car hire, and for stays longer than 30 days
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. For visits longer than 6 months you’ll need a 1968 IDP
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. For visits longer than 6 months you’ll need a 1968 IDP
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’re involved in an accident
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months
As well as the IDP, you must get a Sri Lankan recognition permit from the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) in Colombo
Show your UK driving licence or IDP to the police to get a visitor’s licence
Show your UK driving licence or IDP to the police to get a visitor’s licence
You don’t need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 12 months
You don't need an IDP to drive here
IDP needed for stays longer than 30 days
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days
IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days
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’re involved in an accident
Got a question? Ask us anything
Not every country requires an IDP. You can use our country checker tool to search for the country you wish to visit and its requirements.
If you hold a full, valid GB or Northern Ireland driving licence, you can apply for an IDP. If you hold an international driving licence, you will need to check your country's agreement on driving in your destination country.
Yes, anyone can apply for an IDP on your behalf if they have all of your correct documents. They will need:
- your full valid GB or Northern Ireland driving licence – which can be a photocard or an older paper licence (if you have a paper licence, a valid passport will be required as proof of identification)
- your passport standard photograph (detailed in the FAQ below)
- the correct fee
You will need a photograph for each permit you apply for, and it must be:
- recent, a true likeness of the applicant and of the full head
- in colour, against a light background
- clear, in sharp focus, free from 'red eye’ and with no shadows
- free from any reflection or glare from glasses
- in good condition, not damaged, creased, torn, or marked
Yes. You need to carry your IDP and a valid GB or Northern Ireland driving licence.
Depending on the type of IDP needed for your destination country, IDPs might be valid for one to 3 years. A 1968 IDP remains valid for 3 years, or until your driving licence expires, whichever comes first.
Providing you have the correct IDP, you can use your IDP in as many countries as you like whilst it is still valid. No matter how long the IDP is valid, some countries, like Japan, only let you drive with one for a year.
You may apply for an IDP up to 3 months before your date of travel. Permits cannot be backdated.
You may apply for as many IDPs as you need. Please remember that you will need a passport standard photograph for each IDP.