A licence that does not always travel alone
Passing a driving test in the UK does not settle every question about driving overseas. This article summarises the GOV.UK guide “Driving abroad”, including its pages on checking whether an international driving permit (IDP) is needed, getting an IDP and driving after moving abroad. The guide applies to people with a Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence, and an IDP can be obtained only by someone who lives in Great Britain or Northern Ireland. The fees and figures below are those shown on GOV.UK in September 2026 and can change. This article is general information, not legal advice, and the rules of the country being visited always apply.
The starting point (Great Britain and Northern Ireland licences)
GOV.UK says a driver needs to take their Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence abroad and check that it is still valid. A driver whose licence has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed needs a new one before travelling. Someone taking their own vehicle also needs the log book (V5C) and the insurance certificate. A vehicle hired or leased in the UK and taken abroad needs a VE103 certificate.
Whether an IDP is needed (Great Britain and Northern Ireland licences)
GOV.UK says an IDP may be needed in some countries, depending on the country visited and how long the stay is. The permit needed depends on the destination, and there are three types: 1926, 1949 and 1968. A traveller passing through more than one country may need more than one type. If a country is not in GOV.UK’s table, the guide says to check with that country’s embassy, and a person hiring a car should check with the hire company. A holder of an existing IDP should confirm it is still valid in the country visited.
Europe (Great Britain and Northern Ireland licences)
GOV.UK says an IDP is not needed to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein with a photocard licence issued in the UK. An IDP might be needed in some EU countries and Norway if the driver has a paper licence, or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, and the guide says to check with the embassy of the country concerned. A holder of a paper licence must update it to a photocard licence or get an IDP. The driver must also carry the licence itself alongside any IDP.
Examples from the country table
GOV.UK’s country table shows the type for each destination. Australia and Argentina are listed at 1949, Austria and Belgium at 1968. Some entries add conditions. The Bahamas entry says an IDP is needed for stays longer than 90 days. The Bahrain entry says an IDP is needed for car hire and for stays longer than 90 days, and that the permit must be certified by the local authorities on arrival. For Botswana, an IDP is needed for car hire. The Belgium entry says a UK photocard licence can be used for up to six months without an IDP.
Getting an IDP (Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
GOV.UK says an IDP is obtained in person from certain shops with PayPoint, and it costs £5.50. The applicant must live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland, hold a full UK driving licence and be 18 or over. A 1926 or 1949 permit lasts for 12 months, and a 1968 permit lasts for three years or until the UK licence expires, whichever is sooner. The guide notes that a separate permit might be needed for each country visited.
Other paperwork and equipment
The overview lists extras depending on the destination:
- a reflective jacket and a warning triangle, which are needed in many countries;
- emission stickers in some European cities, which may need to be bought weeks before departure;
- headlight converter stickers; and
- a UK sticker.
A hire company may ask to see licence information, which can be shared through a licence “check code” obtained up to 21 days before the trip. A driver with a Northern Ireland licence shows the paper counterpart instead. Towing a trailer over 750kg abroad requires category BE to be shown on the licence, added free through form D1. The guide also says to check whether a trailer needs registering and whether a green card or additional insurance is needed, and that hired cars carry insurance for which the cover should be checked with the hire company.
If you are moving abroad
GOV.UK says not to apply for an IDP when moving abroad. Instead, the driver should check with the licensing authority in the new country about exchanging the UK licence or applying for a local one. In some countries a UK licence can be exchanged without another driving test, and the guide points to separate rules for exchanging a licence in the EU. This site’s article on converting a foreign driving licence to drive in the UK or Ireland covers the reverse situation.
Common questions
Is a paper licence enough in Europe? GOV.UK says a paper licence holder might need an IDP in some EU countries and Norway, or must update to a photocard licence.
Can an IDP be bought online? GOV.UK says it is obtained in person from certain shops with PayPoint.
How long does an IDP last? 12 months for a 1926 or 1949 permit, and three years or until the licence expires for a 1968 permit.
The bottom line
A driver with a Great Britain or Northern Ireland licence must check, for each country, whether an IDP is needed and which of the 1926, 1949 or 1968 types applies. In the EU and some other European countries a UK photocard licence is enough, a paper licence can require action, and an IDP costs £5.50 in person at certain PayPoint shops, with 12 months or up to three years of validity depending on the type.
Sources
- GOV.UK, “Driving abroad: Overview”
- GOV.UK, “Driving abroad: Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP)”
- GOV.UK, “Driving abroad: Get an international driving permit (IDP)”
- GOV.UK, “Driving abroad: Driving if you move abroad”