Will the Rental Car Provider refuse to give you the car if you don't have an International Driving Permit?

Do you need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

Some car Rental Car Companies might ask for an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a part of their standard policy, even if having it is not necessary for that country.

Other countries, such as Botswana or Saudi Arabia, require an IDP when hiring a rental car.

Always double-check with your car rental company’s terms and conditions before you rent a car to avoid unpleasant surprises during your trip.

You can only obtain an International Driving Permit in the country where your driver’s license was issued.

That’s why it’s crucial to get the permits before you leave for your trip, otherwise it may become impossible to rent a car (or drive at all) overseas.

Please refer to our FAQ for more information to help you make this determination.

At a later date, if there is sufficient demand, we may decide to build a dedicated International Driving Permit ➲ Legal Wizard.

An International Driving Permit (IDP), often referred to as an international driving license, is a translation of a domestic driving license that allows the holder to drive a private motor vehicle in any country or jurisdiction that recognises the document.

International Driving Permits are governed by three international conventions: the 1926 Paris International Convention relative to Motor Traffic, the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, and the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. When a state is contracted to more than one convention, the newest one terminates and replaces previous ones.

IDPs are issued by a national government directly, or through a network of AIT/FIA organizations or by any association duly empowered thereto by such other Contracting Party.^[1]

For the latter case those issuing organizations are mostly automobile associations,^[2] such as American Automobile Association^[3] in the United States, Norwegian Automobile Federation^[4] in Norway and Riksförbundet M Sverige^[5] in Sweden. As there are many unofficial sellers on the internet, the AIT/FIA has created an approved directory to all IDP issuing organizations in the world.^[6]

To be valid, the IDP must be accompanied by a valid Driver's license issued in the applicant's country of residence.

An IDP is not required if the driver's domestic licence meets the requirements of the 1949 or 1968 convention; the domestic licence can be used directly in a foreign jurisdiction that is a party to that convention.^[7]

In addition, other arrangements eliminates the need of an IDP in some countries, such as the European driving licence valid within the European Economic Area (EEA) as well as member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with each other.^[8]

A major tourist destination that doesn’t recognize the International Driving Permit is the People’s Republic of China. In order to drive in China, foreign tourists need to obtain a Chinese driving license. Contact your local Chinese embassy for details.

Important Notice:

This FAQ is intended for general interest + information only.

It is not legal advice, nor should it be relied upon or used as such.

We recommend you always consult a lawyer for legal advice specifically tailored to your needs & circumstances.