Global Database
IDP Requirements by Country
IDP requirement summaries for 100+ countries worldwide, with in-depth dedicated guides for the 80 countries listed below. Last updated: June 2026.
All Countries A–Z
Every country in our database, with the IDP status we hold for it. Search or filter to find your destination.
| Country | IDP Status | Validity | Notes | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
🇦🇱Albania | ● Recommended | 1 year | An IDP is recommended for foreign visitors. | Check → |
| ● Recommended | 1 year | A national licence from a 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna contracting party is valid on its own. The international permit is for drivers whose home country does not issue a licence — but rental desks expect it. | Learn More → | |
| ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | Licensing is state law and the rule is consistent across states: visitors drive on a valid overseas licence (six months in NSW). A licence not in English must be carried with an English translation OR an IDP. | Learn More → | |
🇦🇹Austria | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. Non-EU visitors are commonly asked for an IDP at rental desks. | Learn More → |
🇧🇸Bahamas | ○ Not required | 1 year | A valid foreign licence is accepted for up to 3 months. | Check → |
🇧🇭Bahrain | ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | Up to 3 months a valid foreign photocard licence is accepted; beyond that the 1968 IDP is needed. | Learn More → |
🇧🇩Bangladesh | ✓ Required | 1 year | A 1949 IDP is required alongside your home licence. Self-drive tourism is limited. | Check → |
🇧🇧Barbados | ○ Not required | 1 year | Barbados issues its own visitor driving permit locally, available from the rental company or a police station. An IDP is accepted as an alternative but is not required. | Check → |
🇧🇪Belgium | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. An English-language licence is generally accepted; rental companies may still ask for an IDP. | Learn More → |
🇧🇴Bolivia | ✓ Required | 1 year | Both a 1949 IDP and your home licence must be in the car. Police checkpoints are common on intercity routes. | Learn More → |
🇧🇦Bosnia & Herzegovina | ● Recommended | 1 year | An IDP is recommended for foreign drivers. | Check → |
🇧🇼Botswana | ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign photocard licence covers up to 90 days. Safari and 4x4 hire companies commonly require an IDP. | Check → |
🇧🇷Brazil | ● Recommended | 1 year | CTB art. 162 and CONTRAN Resolution 360/2010 allow 180 days on a valid foreign licence. Your original licence and passport are the only strictly required documents; a 1968 IDP is recommended, and rental desks ask for it. | Learn More → |
🇧🇬Bulgaria | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. An IDP is recommended for non-EU visitors. | Check → |
🇰🇭Cambodia | ● Recommended | 1 year | To hire a car or a motorcycle over 125cc you may be asked for a 1949 IDP with your licence. Long-term driving or a private car needs a Cambodian licence instead. | Learn More → |
🇨🇦Canada | ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign licence is accepted for visitors. An IDP is a translation aid; Quebec may ask for one where the licence is not in French or English. | Learn More → |
🇰🇾Cayman Islands | ○ Not required | 1 year | A valid foreign licence is accepted; a local visitor's permit is issued by the rental company. | Check → |
🇨🇱Chile | ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign photocard licence is accepted for 3 months. An IDP is a translation aid, not a legal requirement. | Learn More → |
🇨🇳China | ○ Not required | 1 year | Mainland China recognises NO international driving permit. An IDP will not make you legal to drive — you need a temporary Chinese driving permit obtained locally. Do not buy an IDP for China expecting to drive on it. | Check → |
🇨🇴Colombia | ● Recommended | 1 year | Not required by law — you may drive on a valid foreign licence. Hire companies frequently require an IDP as a condition of rental. | Learn More → |
| ○ Not required | 1 year | Ley 9078 as amended by Ley 10591 ties foreign-licence validity to the authorised stay in your entry stamp (30/90/180 days). There is no IDP requirement, and Costa Rica is party to neither driving convention — so an IDP has no legal standing there. Carry your licence and passport. | Learn More → | |
🇭🇷Croatia | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. Non-EU visitors are strongly advised to carry an IDP for rental and roadside checks. | Learn More → |
🇨🇺Cuba | ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign licence is accepted for up to 6 months. Rental agencies ask for your licence and passport. | Learn More → |
🇨🇾Cyprus | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. An IDP is recommended for non-EU visitors. Drives on the left. | Check → |
| ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. An IDP is recommended for non-EU visitors. | Learn More → | |
🇩🇰Denmark | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. An IDP helps at rental desks and police checks for non-EU visitors. | Learn More → |
| ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign photocard licence is accepted for up to 3 months. Hire companies frequently require an IDP. | Learn More → | |
🇪🇨Ecuador | ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign photocard licence is accepted for the first 6 months. | Learn More → |
🇪🇬Egypt | ✓ Required | 1 year | Carry the 1949 IDP with your home licence, valid for up to 6 months. Beyond that you need an Egyptian licence. | Learn More → |
🇪🇪Estonia | ○ Not required | 1 year | EU/EEA licences fully accepted; an IDP is not needed. | Check → |
🇪🇹Ethiopia | ○ Not required | 1 year | You may drive on your own licence for about 2 weeks; beyond that Ethiopia requires an Ethiopian licence from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, not an IDP. | Learn More → |
🇫🇯Fiji | ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign licence is accepted. Rental companies may still ask for an IDP. | Learn More → |
🇫🇮Finland | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. Rental companies commonly ask non-EU visitors for an IDP. | Learn More → |
🇫🇷France | ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | For a short stay a non-EU licence must be in French, or carried with an IDP or an official French translation. EU/EEA licences — and British ones — are exempt. | Learn More → |
🇩🇪Germany | ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | § 29 FeV: a foreign licence must be carried with an IDP or a certified German translation, unless it is an EU/EEA or Swiss licence, is in German, or follows the 1968 Vienna Convention format. | Learn More → |
🇬🇭Ghana | ✓ Required | 1 year | You may drive on a 1949 IDP or a Ghanaian licence — a foreign national licence on its own is not listed as sufficient. | Learn More → |
🇬🇷Greece | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences are accepted as they are, and Law 4850/2021 exempts many visitors. Rental agencies commonly ask non-EU holders for an IDP. | Learn More → |
| ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign photocard licence is accepted for up to 3 months. Hire companies commonly require an IDP. | Learn More → | |
🇭🇺Hungary | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. Rental desks commonly ask non-EU visitors for an IDP. | Learn More → |
🇮🇸Iceland | ● Recommended | 1 year | A licence in the Latin alphabet is generally accepted on its own; an IDP mainly helps holders of non-Latin-script licences. Essential kit for highland driving is a separate matter. | Learn More → |
🇮🇳India | ✓ Required | 1 year | Carry the 1949 IDP together with your original driving licence. | Learn More → |
| ✓ Required | 1 year | A foreign national licence on its own is not accepted; you need an IDP for both cars and motorbikes. Enforced at police checkpoints. | Learn More → | |
🇮🇷Iran | ✓ Required | 1 year | A 1968 IDP is required when driving on a foreign licence. Rental infrastructure is limited. | Check → |
🇮🇪Ireland | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. Rental companies commonly require an IDP from non-EU visitors. Drives on the left. | Learn More → |
🇮🇱Israel | ● Recommended | 1 year | A foreign licence is valid for 1 year. An IDP is mainly useful where the licence is not in English, and rental agencies commonly ask for one. | Learn More → |
🇮🇹Italy | ● Recommended | 1 year | Not required by law for a short tourist stay. Hire companies often require an IDP as one of their own conditions. EU/EEA licences are accepted as they are. | Learn More → |
🇨🇮Ivory Coast | ● Recommended | 1 year | No government source found asserting a legal IDP requirement, so this is not stated as required. A French-language IDP is useful at checkpoints. UNVERIFIED — needs an Ivorian source. | Check → |
🇯🇲Jamaica | ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign photocard licence is accepted for up to 6 months. | Learn More → |
🇯🇵Japan | ✓ Required | 1 year | Only a 1949 Geneva IDP is valid — a 1968 IDP is not accepted. A short list of countries may instead drive on their own licence with an official Japanese translation. | Learn More → |
🇯🇴Jordan | ✓ Required | 1 year | Carry the 1949 IDP with your home licence. | Learn More → |
🇰🇪Kenya | ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | For the first 3 months a valid foreign licence is enough; after that carry the 1968 IDP with it. Safari rental firms commonly ask for an IDP regardless. | Learn More → |
🇰🇼Kuwait | ● Recommended | 1 year | Not a legal requirement for visitors on a valid photocard licence; an IDP is the fallback for older paper licences. | Learn More → |
🇱🇦Laos | ✓ Required | 1 year | Carry the 1949 IDP with your home licence. Rental infrastructure is limited. | Learn More → |
🇱🇻Latvia | ○ Not required | 1 year | EU/EEA licences fully accepted; an IDP is not needed. | Check → |
🇱🇧Lebanon | ● Recommended | 1 year | You may drive on either a 1968 IDP or your own valid licence — the IDP is an alternative, not an addition. | Learn More → |
🇱🇹Lithuania | ○ Not required | 1 year | EU/EEA licences fully accepted; an IDP is not needed. | Check → |
🇱🇺Luxembourg | ○ Not required | 1 year | EU/EEA licences fully accepted; an IDP is not needed. | Check → |
| ✓ Required | 1 year | Carry both an IDP and your home licence in the car. Self-drive rentals ask for the permit. | Learn More → | |
🇲🇾Malaysia | ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | Malaysia's transport ministry says drivers holding a licence from a 1949 Geneva Convention country must carry an IDP together with their home licence — both, not either. Licences from the nine other ASEAN states and the Maldives are accepted on their own. | Learn More → |
🇲🇹Malta | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. An IDP is recommended for non-EU visitors. Drives on the left. | Check → |
🇲🇽Mexico | ● Recommended | 1 year | Not required by law; a valid foreign photocard licence is accepted. Many rental companies ask for an IDP. | Learn More → |
🇲🇳Mongolia | ✓ Required | 1 year | A 1968 IDP and your home licence are both needed; the 1949 version is no longer accepted. Essential for overland routes outside Ulaanbaatar. | Learn More → |
🇲🇪Montenegro | ● Recommended | 1 year | An IDP is recommended for foreign drivers visiting Montenegro. | Check → |
🇲🇦Morocco | ✓ Required | 1 year | Carry the 1968 IDP with your licence in the car; the 1949 version is no longer accepted. Gendarmerie checkpoints inspect documents routinely. | Learn More → |
🇲🇿Mozambique | ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | A foreign licence covers the first 90 days; after that you need an IDP or a Mozambican licence. | Check → |
🇲🇲Myanmar | ✓ Required | 1 year | Carry an IDP with your home licence as a minimum. Self-drive tourism is restricted and rules change at short notice — confirm with your hire company. | Learn More → |
🇳🇦Namibia | ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign photocard licence is what you must carry. Self-drive rental desks commonly ask for an IDP as well. | Learn More → |
🇳🇵Nepal | ✓ Required | 1 year | The 1968 IDP is required with your home licence; the 1949 version is no longer accepted. | Learn More → |
| ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. An IDP is a translation aid for non-EU visitors, not a legal requirement. | Learn More → | |
| ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | NZTA: a current overseas car licence is enough on its own for up to 18 months from your last arrival (12 months from 1 November 2026). Only a licence that is not in English needs an approved English translation OR an IDP alongside it. | Learn More → | |
🇳🇬Nigeria | ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | A foreign licence is accepted for up to 3 months; beyond that you need the 1968 IDP. | Learn More → |
🇲🇰North Macedonia | ● Recommended | 1 year | An IDP is recommended for foreign drivers. | Check → |
🇳🇴Norway | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. An IDP is recommended for non-EU/EEA licence holders. | Learn More → |
🇴🇲Oman | ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign photocard licence covers rental driving for the first 6 weeks after arrival. Rental companies often set stricter terms of their own. | Learn More → |
🇵🇰Pakistan | ✓ Required | 1 year | Carry the 1968 IDP with your home licence. | Check → |
🇵🇦Panama | ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign photocard licence is accepted for up to 3 months. | Learn More → |
🇵🇬Papua New Guinea | ● Recommended | 1 year | Not required by law on a valid photocard licence; hire companies typically require an IDP. Road infrastructure is limited. | Check → |
🇵🇪Peru | ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign photocard licence is accepted for up to 6 months while your immigration permit is valid. | Learn More → |
| ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | LTO: tourists may drive on their own valid licence for 90 days from arrival. A licence not in English must be accompanied by an official English translation (an IDP is the usual way to satisfy this). | Learn More → | |
🇵🇱Poland | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. Rental companies may ask non-EU visitors for an IDP. | Learn More → |
🇵🇹Portugal | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences are accepted as they are. Non-EU visitors are not required by law to hold an IDP, but some rental companies ask for one. | Learn More → |
🇶🇦Qatar | ✓ Required | 1 year | Without a Qatari licence you need the 1968 IDP and your home licence in the car. | Learn More → |
🇷🇴Romania | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. An IDP is recommended for non-EU visitors. | Learn More → |
🇷🇺Russia | ✓ Required | 1 year | Carry the 1968 IDP with your home licence. | Learn More → |
| ● Recommended | 1 year | Not a legal requirement for visitors; hire companies may require one. | Learn More → | |
🇸🇳Senegal | ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign licence is accepted for up to 6 months. A 1968 IDP is useful as a French translation at traffic stops, not a requirement. | Learn More → |
🇷🇸Serbia | ● Recommended | 1 year | An IDP is recommended for foreign drivers and commonly requested at rental desks. | Check → |
| ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | Singapore Police Force: a visitor carries their foreign licence plus an IDP, or an official English translation where an IDP is not available. Holders of an ASEAN member state licence do not need an IDP. | Learn More → | |
🇸🇰Slovakia | ○ Not required | 1 year | EU/EEA licences fully accepted; an IDP is not needed. | Check → |
🇸🇮Slovenia | ● Recommended | 1 year | EU/EEA licences accepted. An IDP is recommended for non-EU visitors. | Check → |
| ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | A foreign licence is valid on its own if it is in English and bears your photograph and signature. If it does not, you need an IDP (or an English certificate of authenticity) as well. | Learn More → | |
| ✓ Required | 1 year | Carry the 1949 IDP with your home licence. Korea signed but never ratified the 1968 convention, so a 1968 permit is the wrong document. | Learn More → | |
🇪🇸Spain | ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | DGT: a foreign permit is accepted if it is written in Spanish or accompanied by an official (sworn) translation — an IDP satisfies that. EU/EEA licences are accepted as they are. | Learn More → |
| ✓ Required | 1 year | A 1949 IDP AND a Sri Lankan 'recognition permit' are both needed to drive a hire vehicle. The recognition permit is issued locally. | Learn More → | |
🇸🇪Sweden | ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | Swedish Transport Agency: otherwise a certified translation (into Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, English, German or French) or an IDP must accompany the licence. EEA licences are valid as they are. | Learn More → |
| ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign licence is accepted for visitors. An IDP is useful for licences not in a Swiss national language or English. | Learn More → | |
🇹🇿Tanzania | ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | A foreign licence is accepted for up to 6 months; an IDP is required beyond that. Safari and Zanzibar rental desks often ask for one anyway. | Learn More → |
🇹🇭Thailand | ✓ Required | 1 year | Carry the 1968 IDP together with your home licence, for cars and motorbikes alike. Checkpoint fines are routine without it. | Learn More → |
🇹🇹Trinidad & Tobago | ◐ Required in some cases | 1 year | A valid foreign photocard licence covers stays of 90 days or less; an IDP is needed beyond that. | Check → |
🇹🇷Turkey | ● Recommended | 1 year | You may drive on your own national licence for six months from the day you enter; after that you must exchange it for a Turkish one, which an IDP will not do. Rental desks still ask for an IDP or a notarised Turkish translation. | Learn More → |
🇦🇪UAE | ● Recommended | 1 year | Whether you need one depends on which countries' licences the UAE recognises: many visitors (including UK photocard holders and GCC residents) may drive on their own licence, while others need an IDP. Confirm with your rental company before you fly. Zero alcohol tolerance. | Learn More → |
| ● Recommended | 1 year | GOV.UK: visitors may drive on a full valid non-GB licence and do NOT need an IDP. Rental desks may still ask for a translation where the licence is not in English. Drives on the left. | Learn More → | |
🇺🇸United States | ● Recommended | 1 year | Not federally required. Licensing is state law and some states and rental companies request an IDP alongside a foreign licence. | Check → |
🇺🇾Uruguay | ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign photocard licence covers the first 90 days after arrival. Hire companies often require an IDP and 2 years' driving experience. | Learn More → |
| ✓ Required | 1 year | Carry the 1968 IDP with your home licence. Checkpoints between regions check documents. | Learn More → | |
🇻🇳Vietnam | ✓ Required | 1 year | The 1968 IDP is the document Vietnam honours in practice; carry it with your home licence for a car or a motorbike. | Learn More → |
🇿🇼Zimbabwe | ● Recommended | 1 year | A valid foreign licence is accepted for up to 12 months. | Learn More → |
Disclaimer: Requirements may change. Always verify with the official transport authority of your destination country before traveling. RoadSeal updates this database regularly but cannot guarantee real-time accuracy.
In-Depth Country Guides
Dedicated IDP guides — requirements, road rules, and rental car tips — for all 80 countries below.
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Madagascar
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Oman
- Panama
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Singapore
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Turkey
- UAE
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
- Zimbabwe