Do I need an international driving permit?

For UK licence holders who plan to drive outside the UK.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

You don't need one to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein with a UK photocard licence. You may need one for other countries, like the USA (depending on the state) or for car hire in some places.

In Cyprus, a UK photocard licence can only be used for up to 30 days without an IDP.
You might need one in Europe if you have a paper licence.
You can get one at certain PayPoint shops for £5.50.
Always carry your licence too.

Key facts

Not needed in EU with photocard
£5.50 at PayPoint
Check each country

What an international driving permit is

An international driving permit (IDP) is a document you carry with your UK driving licence when you drive in some countries outside the UK. It is not a licence on its own, so you must take your Great Britain or Northern Ireland licence with you too.

There are 3 types of IDP, named after the international agreements they come from: 1926, 1949 and 1968. The type you need depends on the country. If you drive through more than one country, you might need more than one type.

Who can get one

You must:

live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland
have a full UK driving licence
be 18 or over

How much it costs and how long it lasts

IDP type	Cost	How long it lasts
1926	£5.50	12 months
1949	£5.50	12 months
1968	£5.50	3 years, or until your UK licence runs out if that is sooner

How to get one

You get an IDP in person from certain shops that have PayPoint. Check which type you need before you go, and check the PayPoint website to find a shop that issues them.

Which countries need one

GOV.UK has a full list of countries. Some examples:

Country	What you need with a UK photocard licence
EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein	Usually no IDP
Ireland	No IDP
Cyprus	No IDP for up to 30 days, then a 1949 IDP
Japan	1949 IDP
Thailand	1968 IDP
Mexico	1926 IDP
USA	Check with the state you are visiting, and your car hire company

Even where you do not need an IDP by law, a car hire company may still ask for one. Check with them before you travel.

Things to know

Paper licences: if you still have an old paper licence, you might need an IDP even in the EU. You can update to a photocard licence instead.
Licences from Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man: the rules are different and you may need an IDP in more countries.
Hiring a car: the hire company may want to see your driving record. You can share it with a licence 'check code' from GOV.UK.
Other checks: before you drive abroad, check your insurance covers the countries you are going to, and whether you need to show a UK country sticker on your car.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Get an IDP

Common questions

Where can I get an international driving permit?

You get one in person from certain shops that have PayPoint, and it costs £5.50.

How long does an international driving permit last?

A 1926 or 1949 permit lasts 12 months, and a 1968 permit lasts 3 years or until your UK licence runs out if that is sooner.

Do I need an international driving permit for the USA?

It depends on the state you visit, so check its rules. Car hire companies may ask for a 1949 permit as well as your licence.

Who can get an international driving permit?

You must live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland, have a full UK driving licence and be 18 or over.

Official sources

1.Driving abroad: international driving permitwww.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit
2.Driving abroad: get an international driving permitwww.gov.uk/driving-abroad/get-an-idp

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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