15 Epic Road Trips and the IDP Rules That Apply to Each
The world's most spectacular drives sit in fifteen different licensing regimes. On some an International Driving Permit is required by law; on the rest it is the rental desk that asks. Here is where each route stands.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Winding clifftop roads above the Tyrrhenian Sea. Italy sets no IDP requirement in law for a short tourist stay — but hire companies make one a condition of their own contract, so bring it to the Sorrento pickup desk.
Italy IDP requirements →Great Ocean Road, Australia
243 km of breathtaking ocean views and rainforest. Visitors drive on a valid overseas licence (six months of it in NSW), and only a licence that is not in English needs an IDP or an English translation alongside it. Melbourne Airport desks routinely ask anyway.
Australia IDP requirements →Route 66, USA
The classic American road trip. There is no federal IDP requirement — licensing is state law — but some states and rental agencies ask foreign licence holders for one alongside their own licence.
USA IDP requirements →Ring Road, Iceland
1,322 km around the entire island past glaciers, waterfalls, and volcanic landscapes. A licence in the Latin alphabet is generally accepted on its own here; the IDP earns its keep for holders of non-Latin-script licences.
Iceland IDP requirements →Garden Route, South Africa
300 km through forests, lagoons, and dramatic coastline. A foreign licence stands on its own if it is in English and carries your photograph and signature; if it does not, an IDP must go with it. Rental desks ask either way.
South Africa IDP requirements →Planning a Road Trip? Get Your IDP First
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Apply Now — From $29 →Chiang Mai Loop, Thailand
762 curves through mountain roads and hill-tribe villages. Thailand requires the 1968 IDP alongside your home licence, for motorbikes as much as cars, and checkpoint stops on this route are routine.
Thailand IDP requirements →Fuji Five Lakes, Japan
Scenic drives with views of Mount Fuji reflected in pristine lakes. Japan requires an IDP whatever language your licence is in — and only the 1949 Geneva version, never the 1968 one.
Japan IDP requirements →Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Dramatic mountain passes through Berber villages and red-rock gorges. Morocco requires the 1968 IDP — the 1949 version is no longer accepted — and gendarmerie checkpoints outside the cities inspect documents routinely.
Morocco IDP requirements →Milford Sound, New Zealand
Through ancient beech forests and along mirror-still lakes to dramatic fiords. NZTA lets you drive on your overseas licence alone for up to 18 months; only a licence that is not in English needs an IDP or approved translation with it.
New Zealand IDP requirements →Costa Brava, Spain
Rugged coastline, hidden coves, and medieval villages along Catalonia's shoreline. The DGT accepts a foreign permit written in Spanish, or one carried with an official sworn translation — which is exactly what an IDP provides. EU/EEA licences are fine as they are.
Spain IDP requirements →Don't Miss Out — Apply Before You Fly
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Apply Now — From $29 →Sahara Desert Route, Morocco
Red sand dunes, oasis towns, and star-filled desert skies. Morocco's 1968 IDP requirement applies here as anywhere in the country, and the drive itself needs careful preparation. Police presence along the route is regular.
Morocco IDP requirements →Bali Circuit, Indonesia
Rice terraces, temples, and volcanic landscapes. Indonesia requires an IDP and Bali police actively check tourist drivers at checkpoints throughout the island.
Indonesia IDP requirements →Silk Road, Turkey
Ancient caravanserais, fairy chimneys, and Mediterranean coast. Turkey needs the 1968 IDP, or your licence notarised into Turkish, before you may drive — the 1949 version is no longer accepted.
Turkey IDP requirements →Patagonia, Argentina
Endless steppe, glaciers, and turquoise lakes at the edge of the world. Argentina accepts a national licence from any 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna contracting party on its own — the international permit is for drivers whose home country issues none — but rental desks expect to see one.
Argentina IDP requirements →Scottish Highlands, UK
Lochs, castles, and single-track roads through wild, ancient landscapes. GOV.UK is explicit that visitors may drive on a full valid non-GB licence without an IDP; rental desks may still ask for a translation where the licence is not in English.
UK IDP requirements →Your Road Trip Starts Here
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