What is an International Driving Permit (IDP) and do I need one?

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an official document that translates the information on your national driver's license. It helps car rental suppliers and local authorities verify your driver's license information when traveling abroad.

Whether you need an IDP depends on where your driver's license was issued and the country where you plan to rent a car.

You may need an IDP if:

• Local authorities in your destination country require one for foreign drivers.
• Your driver's license is in a non-Roman alphabet like Arabic, Chinese, Japanese or Cyrillic, and an approved translation is required.
• The car rental supplier requires one, even if local regulations do not.

An English-language driver's license does not guarantee acceptance in every country automatically; it is better to always check the requirements before travelling. 

Important: An IDP doesn’t replace your national driver's license and is only valid alongside the original, valid license. Remember to bring both physical documents to the rental desk. A digital IDP, phone screenshot, or QR code may not be accepted, as some suppliers require an official printed IDP booklet.

Where can I check whether I need an IDP for my rental?

Before booking, check the Rental Conditions of your chosen car offer and look for the Driver Requirements section. 

If you already have a booking, review the Rental Conditions on your booking voucher to know which driving documents you need to present.

Important: If an IDP is required and you arrive without the correct documents, the car rental supplier may not be able to release the vehicle. This may result in a no-show, and the booking becomes non-refundable under the applicable rental policy.

To ensure a smooth pick-up, check your rental conditions in advance and bring all the necessary original physical documents. 

Where and when can I get an International Driving Permit?

You should request your IDP in the country where your original driver's license was issued, before travelling.
An International Driving Permit is generally issued by authorised government agencies, driver's licence authorities, or automobile associations, depending on the country.

Before applying for an IDP:

• Check which type of IDP is recognized in your destination country.
• Contact the authorized issuing organization in your home country.
• Check the application requirements, processing time, and validity period.
• Make sure your IDP will remain valid throughout your rental period.

An IDP can’t be issued by the car rental supplier at the pick-up desk; make sure you get it in advance.