International Driving Permits/Licences

[Scarlett]

I keep my IDP (issued 2023) with my yellow needle book in a perfectly sized green SQ J amenities kit pouch (Penhaligon’s), for ease of throwing into my suitcase when packing.

Just had a look at it ahead of a trip in just over a week and noticed that it doesn’t ANYWHERE have my drivers license number on it… Name, Australia, dob, address. And my photo.

For this trip I have hire cars booked in Switzerland and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

 

[RooFlyer]

oticed that it doesn’t ANYWHERE have my drivers license number on it… Name, Australia, dob, address. And my photo.

Because your regular licence must accompany it. The IDL is invalid without the other.

 

[VPS]

I keep my IDP (issued 2023) with my yellow needle book in a perfectly sized green SQ J amenities kit pouch (Penhaligon’s), for ease of throwing into my suitcase when packing.

Just had a look at it ahead of a trip in just over a week and noticed that it doesn’t ANYWHERE have my drivers license number on it… Name, Australia, dob, address. And my photo.

For this trip I have hire cars booked in Switzerland and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

So you aren’t using a valid IDP. good luck

 

[prozac]

So you aren’t using a valid IDP. good luck

Age 18 I landed in UK with an IDP and I drove on it throughout UK and EU for next 4.5yrs, never knew I needed to renew it. Being young and coughy I'd get pulled up a few times, only in UK. I pull the IDP out with a flourish to the question "What's this?" Not one UK copper knew what it was and it usually resulted in a radio call back to HQ and a warning to watch my p's and q's, now on your way son. lol. It was like diplomatic immunity. Anyway, these days even UK bobbies would be more up to speed and you'd unlikely strike one that did not know the ins and outs of driving on an IDP and the requirement it is only valid with your actual aussie license. I've heard in Germany you'll be booked without the supporting license.

 

[justinbrett]

Age 18 I landed in UK with an IDP and I drove on it throughout UK and EU for next 4.5yrs, never knew I needed to renew it. Being young and coughy I'd get pulled up a few times, only in UK. I pull the IDP out with a flourish to the question "What's this?" Not one UK copper knew what it was and it usually resulted in a radio call back to HQ and a warning to watch my p's and q's, now on your way son. lol. It was like diplomatic immunity. Anyway, these days even UK bobbies would be more up to speed and you'd unlikely strike one that did not know the ins and outs of driving on an IDP and the requirement it is only valid with your actual aussie license. I've heard in Germany you'll be booked without the supporting license.

You absolutely do not need an IDP to drive in the UK if you have an Australian licence.

If you are living there for 4+ years, then you should be getting a UK licence. But an IDP is no better than an Australian licence.

 

[SYD]

I've heard in Germany you'll be booked without the supporting license.

Pretty much ANY country where English isn’t the / an Official language expect to need an IDP if pull up by the Constabulary.

Australian DL holders do not require an IDP in NZ, UK, USA and most of Canada (Quebec likes wave the French flag).

Pretty sure the list of countries requiring an IDP was posted upthread once or thrice.

 

[justinbrett]

Pretty much ANY country where English isn’t the / an Official language expect to need an IDP if pull up by the Constabulary.

Australian DL holders do not require an IDP in NZ, UK, USA and most of Canada (Quebec likes wave the French flag).

They're not needed in most of the Middle East and Latin America.

I've rented in UAE and Jordan recently, as well as Mexico and a few in Central America and can at least confirm those.

I think it's more countries that don't use the Latin script, plus many EU countries. Not Greece though, I rented in Athens a few months ago during a taxi strike - definitely not needed there.

Pretty sure the list of countries requiring an IDP was posted upthread once or thrice.

I've never seen an accurate list published. These are usually pushed my NRMA, RACV/Q etc and just plain wrong. I find checking the Avis website of the relevant country will have the up to date info.

 

[prozac]

You absolutely do not need an IDP to drive in the UK if you have an Australian licence.

If you are living there for 4+ years, then you should be getting a UK licence. But an IDP is no better than an Australian licence.

50+ yrs ago it was advised.
This isn't my first rodeo.

 

[justinbrett]

50+ yrs ago it was advised.
This isn't my first rodeo.

A lot has changed.

A casual reader may have mistook your post for current information. And you did reference "these days...".

You haven't needed one in 25+ years.

 

[SYD]

They're not needed in most of the Middle East and Latin America.

Yes they are. Generally* the rental company won’t ask for it but the Cops will.

*Japan is a notable exception

You can check here

International Driving Permits - Australian Automobile Association

The AAA and its member clubs are the only authorised distributors of IDPs in Australia for Australian driver licence holders.

www.aaa.asn.au

Yes, it errs on the pessimistic side (eg USA “recommended” but does tell the real truth re Canada.

I've rented in UAE and Jordan recently, as well as Mexico and a few in Central America and can at least confirm those.

Technically, all those need an IDP if pulled over.

I think it's more countries that don't use the Latin script, plus many EU countries.

Varies based on the language of your licence and where you are. It’s just a translation.

I've never seen an accurate list published. These are usually pushed my NRMA, RACV/Q etc and just plain wrong. I find checking the Avis website of the relevant country will have the up to date info.

There are some. Just can’t find the independent one at the moment.

 

[justinbrett]

Yes they are. The rental company won’t ask for it but the Cops will.

You can check here

International Driving Permits - Australian Automobile Association

The AAA and its member clubs are the only authorised distributors of IDPs in Australia for Australian driver licence holders.

www.aaa.asn.au

Yes, it errs on the pessimistic side (eg USA “recommended” but does tell the real truth re Canada.

Technically, all those need an IDP if pulled over.

Varies based on the language of your licence and where you are. It’s just a translation.

There are some. Just can’t find the independent one at the moment.

That list you provided is from the main organisation I don't trust - always advertising on facebook (ie, they're selling a product).

There's so much misinformation published on this, unless I see if from the source country legal text or rental car policy I'm not believing it.

 

[SYD]

That list you provided is from the main organisation I don't trust - always advertising on facebook (ie, they're selling a product).

There's so much misinformation published on this, unless I see if from the source country legal text or rental car policy I'm not believing it.

Your call.

I treat an IDP like Travel Insurance. I don’t expect to use it but I have it when necessary.

 

[justinbrett]

Your call.

I treat an IDP like Travel Insurance. I don’t expect to use it but I have it when necessary.

As for Quebec the official government website says you only need it if you'll be there for more than 6 months.

I've rented cars in every populated continent in many countries, the only time I've needed one is within the EU (and even then not all countries).

I just check the government and website policies before I go.

IDPs are a scam.

 

[Scarlett]

Looks like NRMA have dealt themselves out of the game…

 

[jase05]

I've rented in UAE and Jordan recently, as well as Mexico and a few in Central America and can at least confirm those.

I’ve spent a lot of time in the ME and in the UAE I’ve been asked for IDP nearly every time with Europcar. Others don’t seem to bother with it.
I’ve had random police checks in the UAE,, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar and never had them ask for IDP.
I just get one for the sake of it

 

[SYD]

Looks like NRMA have dealt themselves out of the game…

View attachment 466172

Yep, I got my last one from Services NSW.

The real annoyance is not being able to get a 3 yr IDP (as mentioned upthread).

I do carry an old one with me OS if I haven’t bothered to get a new one. It worked in South Africa getting pulled over at a check point. The officer seemed quite surprised that I had one and didn’t bother to check the expiry date….

Fortunately I had a valid one in Costa Rica when a motorcyclist ran into my rental car. The cops checked every detail.

 

[justinbrett]

I’ve spent a lot of time in the ME and in the UAE I’ve been asked for IDP nearly every time with Europcar. Others don’t seem to bother with it.
I’ve had random police checks in the UAE,, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar and never had them ask for IDP.
I just get one for the sake of it

Avis/Hertz don't.

I can also say definitively it is not a legal requirement in the UAE as I was based there with the RAAF for six months and one of the guys in my team was responsible for drivers licences. If you're on your tourist visa (30 days) your Australian licence is all you need. Once you get residency you need a local licence.

I drove through Jordan and there were stacks of police on the highway with recent events in the region. I was probably pulled over 4-5 times each way driving to Petra. Not one wanted to see an IDP. Also driven extensively in South Africa recently, even got my car and person searched in Pretoria. They wanted to see passport and licence, no IDP.

Stick with your rental agency's rules (and check competitors). If it's a legit legal requirement it will be rental car policy as well.

For Costa Rica:
A valid driver’s license from the country of residence and passport must be presented in person at the time of rental. An International Driving License is required for countries with a non-Roman alphabet. We reserve the right to check the driver’s license against Avis standards and refuse to rent if those standards are violated.