International Driving Permit

The International Driving Permit is required in certain countries to allow the holder to drive a private motor vehicle when accompanied by a full valid UK driving licence. There are two types of permit - IDP 1926 and IDP 1949.

The AA is authorised to issue these permits for travel to a whole range of countries. The permits are valid for 12 months from date of issue.

Where Do You Need Them?

IDPs are required for driving in the following countries. Some countires apply special conditions to their use. If the country you are visiting is not listed you are advised to check the requirements with the relevant tourist office or embassy.
  • Afghanistan - IDP 1949 required
  • Albania - IDP 1949 required
  • Algeria - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
  • Angola - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
  • Argentina - IDP 1949 required
  • Armenia - IDP 1949 required
  • Australia - UK licence accepted but IDP recommended
  • Bahrain - Specific IDP conditions
  • Bangladesh - UK licence accepted but IDP recommended
  • Belarus - Specific IDP conditions
  • Benin - IDP 1949 required
  • Bhutan - IDP 1949 required
  • Bolivia - IDP 1949 required
  • Brunei - IDP 1949 possibly required for car hire
  • Bulgaria - IDP 1949 required
  • Burkina Faso - IDP 1949 recomended
  • Cambodia (Kampuchea) - IDP 1949 required
  • Canada - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Cape Verde - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Central African Republic - IDP 1949 required
  • Chad - IDP 1949 required
  • Chile - IDP 1949 required
  • Colombia - IDP 1949 required
  • Comoros - IDP 1949 required
  • Congo (Democratic Republic Of) - IDP 1949 required
  • Congo (Republic Of) - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
  • Curacao (Netherlands Antilles) - IDP 1949 required
  • Czech Republic - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
  • Dominican Republic - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
  • Egypt - IDP 1949 required
  • Equatorial Guinea - IDP 1949 required
  • Eritrea - IDP 1949 required
  • Gabon - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
  • Georgia - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
  • Ghana - IDP 1949 recommended, and may be required for car hire
  • Guam - IDP 1949 required
  • Guinea Bissau - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Guinea Republic - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Haiti - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Hong Kong - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Hungary - Specific IDP conditions
  • Japan - IDP 1949 required
  • Jordan - IDP 1949 required
  • Kenya - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Korea (South) - IDP 1949 required
  • Kuwait - IDP 1949 required
  • Kyrgyzstan - IDP 1949 recommended for car hire
  • Laos - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Lebanon - IDP 1949 recommended for car hire
  • Lesotho - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Macao - IDP 1949 required
  • Mozambique - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Myanmar (Burma) - Specific IDP conditions
  • Namibia - IDP 1949 recommended for car hire
  • Nepal - Specific IDP conditions
  • Nigeria - IDP 1949 required
  • Oman - IDP 1949 required
  • Pakistan - IDP 1949 required
  • Peru - IDP 1949 required for stays longer than 30 days
  • Philippines - IDP 1949 required for car hire
  • Portugal - Specific IDP conditions
  • Qatar - IDP 1949 required
  • Romania - Specific IDP conditions
  • Russian Federation - IDP 1949 required
  • Rwanda - Specific IDP conditions
  • Sao Tome & Principe - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Sabah (Malaysia) - IDP 1949 required
  • Saudi Arabia - IDP 1949 recommended (women not premitted to drive)
  • Senegal - Specific IDP conditions
  • Sierra Leone - IDP 1949 required
  • Slovakia - IDP 1949 required for car hire
  • Slovenia - Specific IDP conditions
  • South Africa - Specific IDP conditions
  • Spain (inc. Balearic & Canary Isles) - Specific IDP conditions
  • Sri Lanka - Specific IDP conditions
  • Sudan - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Surinam - IDP 1949 required
  • Swaziland - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
  • Syria - IDP 1949 required
  • Taiwan - IDP 1949 required
  • Tanzania - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Thailand - IDP 1949 required
  • Tongo - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Tunisia - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
  • Turkey - IDP 1949 required for stays longer than 90 days
  • Ukraine - IDP 1949 required
  • United Arab Emirates - IDP 1949 required
  • UAS - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Vietnam - Specific IDP conditions
  • Yemen - IDP 1949 required for car hire
  • Zambia - IDP 1949 recommended
  • Zimbabwe - Specific IDP conditions