International Driving Permits/Licences

[justinbrett]

Not disagreeing, but best not to try renting in Japan without one.

As I’ve said in just about every post, follow the advice of rental car companies and official government legal texts.

Just ignore all the automotive association websites.

 

[Flashback]

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.

You lose the ability to convert your Aussie licence after 12 months, without going through the full process as if you're applying for a new licence from scratch, unless something has changed in the last few months in the UK?

It's mostly an EU thing. No country that gets a lot of US tourists want to deter them by these silly requirements, except the core EU countries (France, Germany, Spain etc).

The point of them is translation, not a secondary licence (in fact most countries will accept an official translation not in the IDP form). In 2025 you'd think they can just use google translate if they can't work it out.

Again - IDPs are scams.

Pulled over by cops in Bulgaria, Iceland, Serbia and Montenegro - wasn't asked for once.

 

[justinbrett]

You lose the ability to convert your Aussie licence after 12 months, without going through the full process as if you're applying for a new licence from scratch, unless something has changed in the last few months in the UK?

Yes, that was my point about an IDP being as good as an Aussie licence. If you’re there long term, neither is legal.

Pulled over by cops in Bulgaria, Iceland, Serbia and Montenegro - wasn't asked for once.

I’m going to Iceland in a few weeks and Avis require it for non US/European licences. So I’ve had to get one to satisfy that.

The whole process reconfirmed how much of a scam it is, it’s just a template form issued for all Australian licences with my photo and dodgy handwritten personal info. It doesn’t value add at all

What’s worse, for a document that has a a primary reason of translation, why does it expire in a year? It should expire with my licence. It’s not like the English language is going to change and make the translation out of date.

 

[VPS]

Yes, that was my point about an IDP being as good as an Aussie licence. If you’re there long term, neither is legal.



I’m going to Iceland in a few weeks and Avis require it for non US/European licences. So I’ve had to get one to satisfy that.

The whole process reconfirmed how much of a scam it is, it’s just a template form issued for all Australian licences with my photo and dodgy handwritten personal info. It doesn’t value add at all

What’s worse, for a document that has a a primary reason of translation, why does it expire in a year? It should expire with my licence. It’s not like the English language is going to change and make the translation out of date.

and make them smaller so they fit in your passport wallet

 

[Flashback]

Yes, that was my point about an IDP being as good as an Aussie licence. If you’re there long term, neither is legal.



I’m going to Iceland in a few weeks and Avis require it for non US/European licences. So I’ve had to get one to satisfy that.

The whole process reconfirmed how much of a scam it is, it’s just a template form issued for all Australian licences with my photo and dodgy handwritten personal info. It doesn’t value add at all

What’s worse, for a document that has a a primary reason of translation, why does it expire in a year? It should expire with my licence. It’s not like the English language is going to change and make the translation out of date.

Data point: multiple rentals with Avis in Iceland (3x) in the past 3 years, never once asked for IDP on Aussie or UK licence.

 

[SYD]

Data point: multiple rentals with Avis in Iceland (3x) in the past 3 years, never once asked for IDP on Aussie or UK licence.

Apart from Japan (by several accounts here), car rental companies won’t ask to see an IDP.

Really only a potential issue with the local constabulary and whether they can be bothered to ask to see it.

They are a bit of an anachronism these days given technology can do what an IDP is intended for.