How long does an International Drivers Licence last?

[prozac]

Strange this article reckons I needed one for hiring a car in Croatia. The hire company never asked me for one, the cops never asked for one, the border officials between Croatia and BiH never asked me for one.

Friends that live in Croatia have kept their Aussie drivers licenses and never have been asked for a IDP.

It is not a legal requirement to have an IDP in Croatia although you may be asked for one when hiring a car.

It is a legal requirement in some other countries to have an IDP and to show it to police along with your Australian Drivers licence when asked. Your hire car insurance (or private car insurance) may be void if you do not and need to make a claim following an accident. Example; The Netherlands does not require Australian licence holders to carry an IDP, but neighbour Germany does.

For the sake of knowing I am covered by insurance in case of an accident I am happy to carry an IDP.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

As this is just a translation, I'm going to ignore the expiry date and just keep carrying it just in case. Pretty sure the language won't change in 12 months...

 

[Mal]

Yep an IDP really should be valid as long as the licence it translates. I wonder if they have always been one year (and the reasons for that decision) or has changed over time.

 

[prozac]

Yep an IDP really should be valid as long as the licence it translates. I wonder if they have always been one year (and the reasons for that decision) or has changed over time.

Yep, my 1973 IDP was a 12 month issue though I don't recall updating it in the 4.5 years I was o/s. Ahh, the folly of youth.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Given that these so called 'international driving licences' are not in fact legal documents but simply a simple translation of the licence cconditions etc, then 'legally' they can never expire. So those who are concerned should perhaps pay for one, once, then carry this forever. There's never any need to pay the fee every year. (Ps. Mine dates from 1994