International Driving Permit (IDP) Guide for UK Drivers Abroad (2026)

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a translation of your UK licence that some countries require alongside the licence itself. There are three types — 1926, 1949 and 1968 — and the one you need depends on the country. UK residents can buy an IDP over the counter at many Post Office branches with a full photocard licence, a passport-style photo and proof of identity. The fee is small (around £5.50 at the time of writing — check the Post Office for the current price).

Most EU countries accept a UK photocard licence for visits without an IDP, but some countries do not, and rules can change. Always check GOV.UK travel advice for your destination before you travel or ship a car.

The 1968 IDP is valid for three years (or until your licence expires) and covers most countries that signed the 1968 Vienna Convention, including many European countries. The 1949 IDP is valid for 12 months and is needed in countries such as the USA (in some states), Cyprus, Malta, Spain for some purposes, Iceland, Ireland for certain cases and many others. The 1926 IDP is rarely needed today but applies in a small number of countries.

Some trips need more than one type, for example driving through several countries on the way to your new home. The Post Office and GOV.UK provide country-by-country lists.

You may need an IDP if you are visiting a non-EU country, hiring a car where the rental firm asks for one, or driving your own car abroad after shipping it. Many countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East expect an IDP. In the Caribbean and Latin America, rules vary by country and even by island.

If you are moving abroad permanently, an IDP is usually a short-term solution. Most countries require new residents to exchange their UK licence for a local one within a set period — often six to twelve months.

Take your full UK photocard licence, a passport-style photo and your passport to a Post Office branch that offers the service. You must be a UK resident and at least 18. Older paper licences need your passport as well. Northern Ireland licence holders have their own arrangements. You cannot buy an IDP online from official sources in advance — beware of websites that charge high fees for unofficial 'international licences', which have no legal value.

If you are shipping your UK-registered car abroad, you will usually need your full UK licence, IDP where required, the original V5C, valid insurance for the destination country and, in some cases, a UK identifier sticker (UK, not GB) on the car. When the car arrives at the destination port, you or your agent collects it after customs clearance, and you may drive it on UK plates for a limited period before local registration.

Plan the timing so your IDP is valid on the day the car arrives, not only when you leave the UK. With transit times of several weeks for long-haul destinations, a 12-month 1949 IDP bought too early may expire before you finish registering the car.

Relying on an out-of-date IDP; carrying the IDP without the actual UK licence (an IDP is not valid on its own); buying the wrong type; forgetting that an expired photocard makes the IDP invalid; and assuming hire-car rules are the same as the legal requirement. Rental companies sometimes ask for an IDP even when the law does not, so check both.

UK motor insurance usually gives minimum third-party cover in the EU, but for longer stays or permanent moves you will need local insurance once the car is registered. Some non-EU countries still ask for a Green Card as proof of insurance. Speak to your insurer before shipping so there is no gap in cover between arrival and local registration.

When you are ready to move your car, get a free shipping quote to more than 100 destinations.

When your car arrives, it may still carry UK plates for a short time. Many countries allow visitors to drive a foreign-registered car temporarily, but new residents usually have to register it locally within a set period and may need to pass a local roadworthiness test first. Until then you will need valid insurance that covers the destination country, your UK licence, the IDP if required and the original V5C in the car. Police in some countries check paperwork frequently at roadside stops, so keep everything together in the glovebox and carry copies separately. Once the car is locally registered and you have exchanged your licence, the IDP is no longer needed.

If you are emigrating, find out whether your new country lets you exchange a UK licence directly or requires a local driving test. Many Commonwealth and European countries allow a straight exchange, usually within a fixed period after you become resident. Others, including some US states, expect you to pass a written and practical test. Start the process early, because driving on a foreign licence after the grace period can invalidate your insurance.

Keep a copy of your UK licence and your DVLA driver record before you hand the licence over. Some countries keep the original, and a DVLA record can help if you ever need to prove your driving history for insurance.

Full UK photocard licence in date; correct IDP type for every country you will drive in; passport; V5C and insurance if taking your own car; UK sticker if required; breakdown cover for abroad; and emergency numbers for your destination. Store scanned copies in a secure cloud folder in case anything is lost on the way.