An international driving permit (IDP) is a translation of your home driving licence that is only useful in countries that ask for it, and it is never valid on its own. UK drivers can get one in person at certain PayPoint shops for £5.50; US drivers get theirs through AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Whether you need one depends on the country, and the rules differ for US and UK licences.
This guide cross-checks the UK government’s IDP table and driving-abroad page (GOV.UK, read 12 November 2026) with the "Travel and transportation" sections of the U.S. State Department country pages (travel.state.gov, each dated below) for the destinations covered by our site. We classify nothing beyond what these sources say. Rules change: check with the embassy of the country, your car hire company and, for the US, the state or local authority where relevant.
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IDP at a glance
- UK £5.50, in person at certain shops with PayPoint; you must live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland, hold a full UK licence and be 18 or over (GOV.UK).
- UK a 1926 or 1949 permit lasts 12 months; a 1968 permit lasts 3 years or until your UK licence expires, whichever is first (GOV.UK).
- UK no IDP needed in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein with a UK photocard licence (GOV.UK).
- US the State Department refers US drivers to AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance for an IDP, to be obtained before leaving the US.
- Always carry your own driving licence: the IDP does not replace it (GOV.UK).
- Which IDP type (1926, 1949 or 1968) you need depends on the country.
How to get an international driving permit
UK citizens
- Check first whether you need one: GOV.UK says it depends on the country and how long you stay, and lists 3 types (1926, 1949, 1968) in a table.
- You need a valid Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence. If you have a paper licence, you must update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP, and always carry your licence with your IDP.
- Get the IDP in person from a shop with PayPoint: £5.50. You must be 18 or over and live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland.
- Do not apply for an IDP if you are moving abroad: you will need to exchange your UK licence or apply for a local one (GOV.UK).
US citizens
The State Department country pages say IDPs for US drivers come from AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (Namibia page, last updated May 28, 2026) and from the AAA for Japan (last updated August 11, 2025). The Japan page adds that US embassies and consulates do not issue IDPs. I could not load AAA’s own site, so no fee or processing time is given here: check AAA or AATA before you apply. Several pages say to obtain the permit before leaving the United States (for example Malaysia, last updated February 26, 2026).
In which countries do you need an IDP?
The table crosses the State Department country pages (US citizens) with the GOV.UK IDP table (UK citizens) for 23 destinations. In the UK column, "1949" or "1968" is the permit type GOV.UK lists for the country; GOV.UK says to check with the embassy if a country is not in its table. A country listed there does not necessarily make an IDP compulsory for a short visit.
| Destination | US citizens (State Department country page, date) | UK citizens (GOV.UK IDP table) |
|---|---|---|
| India | Need a valid Indian licence or a valid international driver’s licence; a US licence is not valid (updated August 11, 2025). | 1949 |
| South Korea | IDP (or Korean licence) required for all drivers (August 11, 2025). | 1949; GOV.UK says you also need your UK licence in the car |
| Indonesia | No driving-permit rule on the page (July 9, 2026). | 1968 |
| Tanzania | Under six months: a valid US licence validated by local traffic authorities, or an international licence; over six months a Tanzanian licence (September 3, 2026). | Not in GOV.UK table |
| Taiwan | No driving-permit rule on the page (September 17, 2026). | 1949; needed for stays over 30 days |
| Singapore | No driving-permit rule on the page (March 12, 2026). | 1949; needed for car hire and stays over 30 days |
| Argentina | Need an Argentine or international licence; verify with local authorities (July 16, 2026). | 1949 |
| Brazil | An Inter-American Driving Permit to carry with your US licence if you stay more than 180 days and drive; available through AAA or other sources (August 6, 2026). | 1968 |
| Thailand | No driving-permit rule on the page (August 20, 2026). | 1968 |
| Mauritius | A valid US driver’s licence is required (December 8, 2025). | Not in GOV.UK table |
| Chile | Visitors can drive with a valid US licence for the duration of the tourist permit (usually 90 days); some car insurance may not be available without a Chilean or international licence (July 2, 2026). | 1949 |
| Peru | International licences are valid for one year; other foreign licences generally 30 days (August 20, 2026). | 1968 |
| Canada | US driver’s licences are valid for visitors; proof of auto insurance is required (August 11, 2025). | 1949 |
| Japan | Short-term visitors must hold an IDP from AAA, obtained before arrival; IDPs issued online or by other organisations are not valid (August 11, 2025). | 1949 |
| Australia | Each state or territory has its own rules on using a foreign licence and when an international licence is needed (August 13, 2026). | 1949 |
| New Zealand | No driving-permit rule on the page (May 7, 2026). | 1949 |
| Malaysia | IDP together with a valid US licence; get the IDP outside Malaysia, ideally before leaving the US (February 26, 2026). | 1949 (listed for Sabah) |
| South Africa | International licences are not required; a valid US licence is valid for stays of less than six months (August 11, 2025). | 1968; with a paper licence, take photo ID such as your passport; you may need to show an IDP to your insurer after an accident |
| Namibia | US licence for up to 90 days, or an IDP obtained before leaving the US through AAA or AATA (May 28, 2026). | 1949; needed for car hire |
| Morocco | Foreign licences are valid for up to one year (July 30, 2026). | 1968 |
| Tunisia | No driving-permit rule on the page (June 4, 2026). | 1968 |
| Costa Rica | You must have a valid passport and a US driver’s licence or an IDP (August 11, 2025). | Not in GOV.UK table |
| Oman | Short-term visitors with a US licence may drive rental vehicles but not privately registered cars (April 16, 2026). | Not in GOV.UK table |
For the United States, GOV.UK adds that UK drivers should check whether the individual state authority says an IDP is needed and whether the car hire company asks for one, and that they may need both their licence and an IDP to hire a car; with a paper licence, take photo ID such as your passport.
Common mistakes
- Travelling with the IDP alone: GOV.UK says you must always have your driving licence with you as well as your IDP.
- Buying the wrong type: the IDP you need (1926, 1949 or 1968) depends on the country, and you may need more than one if you cross several countries (GOV.UK).
- Buying it online for Japan: the State Department says IDPs issued via the internet or by other organisations are not valid there.
- Applying at the last minute or after arrival: some pages say to get the IDP before leaving your country (Japan, Malaysia, Namibia).
- Forgetting the car hire company: GOV.UK advises checking with the company, and says an IDP is needed for car hire in Namibia and Singapore.
- Confusing a visit with a move: GOV.UK says not to apply for an IDP if you are moving abroad.
Decision tree: do I need one?
- You are a UK driver with a photocard licence going to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein: no IDP needed (GOV.UK).
- The country appears in the table above: check the type for UK drivers and the State Department wording for US drivers, then ask your car hire company.
- The country is not in the table: check GOV.UK (UK drivers), the State Department’s country page and Road Safety information (US drivers), then the embassy and your car hire company.
Planning a road trip? Also check your entry requirements (visa, electronic authorisation), your passport and travel insurance that covers driving.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an international driving permit cost?
UK: £5.50, from certain shops with PayPoint (GOV.UK). US: check AAA or AATA, which the State Department names as issuers; I could not read their fee.
How long does an international driving permit last?
UK: a 1926 or 1949 permit lasts 12 months and a 1968 permit lasts 3 years or until your UK licence expires, whichever comes first (GOV.UK).
Do I need an international driving permit in the United States?
For UK drivers, GOV.UK lists a 1949 permit and advises checking the individual state authority and your car hire company. US citizens driving at home do not need one.
Is an international driving permit valid in Japan?
Yes, but the State Department says short-term US visitors must hold one from AAA obtained before arrival, and that IDPs issued online or by other organisations are not valid. GOV.UK lists the 1949 type for UK drivers.
Can I use an IDP on its own?
No. GOV.UK says you must always carry your driving licence as well as your IDP.
Our sources
- GOV.UK, Driving abroad: check if you need an international driving permit (IDP) and Get an IDP, read 12 November 2026.
- U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov country information pages (Travel and transportation sections), each page dated in the table above.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.