Driving abroad
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1. Driving abroad on holiday
You need to take your Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence with you to drive abroad. Check yours is still valid and renew your driving licence online if it’s expired or about to expire.
If your driving licence has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, you’ll need to get a new one before you can drive abroad.
If you apply online, you should receive your new driving licence within 5 days. If you apply by post, it will take longer.
If you’re taking your own vehicle, you also need to take your log book (V5C) and your insurance certificate.
If you’re taking a vehicle abroad that you’ve hired or leased in the UK, you’ll need a VE103 certificate.
Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP)
You might need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some countries. Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP).
You can get an IDP in person from certain shops that have PayPoint. You might need one for each country you’re visiting.
Do not apply for an IDP if you’re moving abroad. You’ll need to either exchange your UK licence or apply for a new one in the country you’re moving to.
Check the overseas driving rules
Make sure you follow overseas driving rules, including local speed limits and drink driving laws. You may be breaking the law and get a fine if you do not.
Depending on the country you’re visiting you may need:
- extra equipment - for example, you need a reflective jacket and a warning triangle in many countries
- emission stickers (permits) in some European cities - you may need to buy these weeks before you go abroad
- headlight converter stickers
- a UK sticker
If you’re hiring a car, it’s your responsibility to check you have the equipment you need.
Check what you need to do if you’re driving in the EU.
Check the travel advice for all countries.
If you’re taking your own vehicle
You’ll need to check if you have the right vehicle insurance for the countries you’re driving through and what proof you need to carry.
Find out more about vehicle insurance when you’re driving abroad.
Towing your trailer or caravan abroad
Before towing your trailer abroad, check if you need to:
- get category BE added to your driving licence
- register your trailer
- carry a green card or additional insurance
Get category BE added to your driving licence
If you want to tow a trailer over 750kg abroad, update your licence to show that you can drive category BE. You do not need to do this if your licence already shows you can drive category BE.
You need to complete the D1 application form and send it to DVLA with:
- a letter to say you are travelling abroad and you need BE added to your licence
- your driving licence
It’s free to do this.
Check if you need to register your trailer
Check if you need to register your trailer before you can take it abroad.
Check if you need a green card or additional insurance
If you’re driving in the EU (including Ireland), Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland, you do not need to carry a green card for:
- your vehicle
- the trailer or caravan you’re towing
If you’re driving in other countries you may need additional insurance and a green card for each trailer or caravan you tow. Check what you need to bring with your insurer before you travel.
Hiring a car abroad
Your hire company may ask to see your driving licence information when you pick up the car. You can share this by getting a licence ‘check code’. You can do this up to 21 days before your trip.
If you’re hiring a car, insurance is included. Check what you’re covered for with the hire company.
2. Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP)
You may need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some countries. The permit you may need depends on:
- which country you’re visiting
- how long you’re staying
You need to have a valid Great Britain (GB) or Northern Ireland driving licence to get an IDP.
Driving in Europe
You do not need an IDP to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK.
You might need an IDP to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have either:
- a paper driving licence
- a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
Check with the embassy of the country you will be driving in.
Check which IDP you need
Check the table to find out if you need an IDP. There are 3 types of IDP:
- 1926
- 1949
- 1968
The IDP you need depends on what country you’re visiting.
If you’re travelling through more than one country, you might need more than one type of IDP.
If the country you’re visiting is not included in the table, check with the embassy of the country you’re travelling to.
If you’re hiring a car, check with your car hire company.
If you already have an IDP, make sure it’s still valid in the country you’re visiting.
| Country or territory | Type of IDP | More information |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | 1968 | |
| Algeria | 1949 | |
| Andorra | 1949 | |
| Argentina | 1949 | |
| Armenia | 1968 | |
| Australia | 1949 | |
| Austria | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here. |
| Azerbaijan | 1968 | |
| Bahamas | 1968 | IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days. |
| Bahrain | 1968 | IDP needed for car hire, and for stays longer than 90 days. You must get your permit certified by local authorities when you arrive. |
| Bangladesh | 1949 | |
| Barbados | 1949 | |
| Belarus | 1968 | |
| Belgium | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. If you have a paper driving licence, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Belgian Embassy. |
| Benin | 1949 | |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1968 | |
| Botswana | 1949 | IDP needed for car hire. |
| Brazil | 1968 | |
| Bulgaria | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here. |
| Burkina Faso | 1949 | |
| Cambodia | 1949 | |
| Canada | 1949 | |
| Cape Verde | 1968 | |
| Central African Republic | 1968 | |
| Chile | 1949 | |
| Congo | 1949 | |
| Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) | 1968 | |
| Croatia | None | If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Croatian Embassy. |
| Cuba | 1968 | |
| Cyprus | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for visits up to 30 days. For visits longer than 30 days you will need a 1949 IDP. If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need a 1949 IDP for any length of visit. Check with the High Commission of Cyprus. |
| Czech Republic | None | If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Czech Republic Embassy. |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | 1968 | |
| Denmark | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 90 days. |
| Dominican Republic | 1949 | IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days. |
| Ecuador | 1949 | |
| Egypt | 1949 | |
| Estonia | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you hold a paper driving licence you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Estonian Embassy. |
| Eswatini (previously Swaziland) | 1949 | If you have an older, paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident. |
| Fiji | 1949 | |
| Finland | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here. |
| France | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here. |
| French Polynesia | 1968 | |
| Georgia | 1968 | IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days. |
| Germany | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the German Embassy. |
| Ghana | 1949 | |
| Greece | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here. |
| Guam | 1949 | IDP needed for stays longer than 30 days. If you have an older, paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident. |
| Guatemala | 1949 | |
| Guyana | 1968 | |
| Haiti | 1949 | IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days. |
| Hungary | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 12 months. If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Hungarian Embassy. |
| Iceland | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 30 days. |
| India | 1949 | |
| Iran | 1968 | |
| Iraq | 1968 | |
| Ireland | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 12 months. |
| Israel | 1968 | |
| Italy | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here. |
| Jamaica | 1949 | |
| Japan | 1949 | |
| Jordan | 1949 | |
| Kazakhstan | 1968 | |
| Kenya | 1968 | IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days. |
| Kuwait | 1968 | |
| Kyrgyzstan | 1968 | |
| Laos | 1949 | |
| Latvia | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here. |
| Lebanon | 1949 | |
| Lesotho | 1949 | |
| Liberia | 1968 | |
| Libya | 1949 | |
| Liechtenstein | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here. |
| Lithuania | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. |
| Luxembourg | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. |
| Macao (Macau) | 1949 | |
| Madagascar | 1949 | |
| Malawi | 1949 | IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days. |
| Malaysia (Sabah) | 1949 | |
| Mali | 1949 | |
| Malta | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 12 months. If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need a 1949 IDP. Check with the Malta High Commission. |
| Mexico | 1926 | |
| Moldova | 1968 | |
| Monaco | 1968 | |
| Mongolia | 1968 | |
| Montenegro | 1968 | |
| Morocco | 1968 | |
| Myanmar (previously Burma) | 1968 | |
| Namibia | 1949 | IDP needed for car hire. If you have an older, paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident. |
| Nepal | 1968 | |
| Netherlands | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here. |
| New Zealand | 1949 | |
| Niger | 1968 | |
| Nigeria | 1968 | |
| North Macedonia | 1968 | |
| Norway | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 90 days. If you hold a paper driving licence you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Norwegian Embassy. |
| Pakistan | 1968 | |
| Papua New Guinea | 1949 | IDP needed for stays longer than 30 days. |
| Paraguay | 1949 | |
| Peru | 1968 | |
| Philippines | 1968 | IDP needed for car hire, and for stays longer than 90 days. |
| Poland | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. |
| Portugal | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. |
| Qatar | 1968 | |
| Romania | None | If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Romanian Embassy. |
| Russian Federation | 1968 | |
| Rwanda | 1949 | |
| San Marino | 1968 | |
| Saudi Arabia | 1968 | IDP needed for car hire. |
| Senegal | 1968 | |
| Serbia | 1968 | |
| Seychelles | 1968 | |
| Sierra Leone | 1949 | |
| Singapore | 1949 | IDP needed for car hire, and for stays longer than 30 days. |
| Slovakia | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. For visits longer than 6 months you’ll need a 1968 IDP. |
| Slovenia | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 90 days. |
| Somalia | 1926 | |
| South Africa | 1968 | If you have an older, paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident. |
| South Korea | 1949 | |
| Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles) | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. |
| Sri Lanka | 1949 | As well as the IDP, you must get a Sri Lankan recognition permit from the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) in Colombo. |
| St. Lucia | 1949 | Show your UK driving licence or IDP to the police to get a visitor’s licence. |
| St. Vincent | 1949 | Show your UK driving licence or IDP to the police to get a visitor’s licence. |
| Sweden | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 12 months. |
| Switzerland | None | You do not need an IDP to drive here. |
| Syria | 1949 | |
| Tajikistan | 1968 | |
| Taiwan | 1949 | IDP needed for stays longer than 30 days. |
| Thailand | 1968 | |
| Togo | 1949 | |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 1949 | IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days. |
| Tunisia | 1968 | |
| Turkey | 1968 | |
| Turkmenistan | 1968 | |
| Uganda | 1949 | IDP needed for stays longer than 90 days. |
| Ukraine | 1968 | |
| United Arab Emirates | 1968 | |
| United States | 1949 | If you have an older, paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident. |
| Uruguay | 1968 | |
| Uzbekistan | 1968 | |
| Vatican City | 1949 | |
| Venezuela | 1949 | |
| Vietnam | 1968 | |
| Zimbabwe | 1968 |
3. Get an international driving permit (IDP)
You can get an IDP in person from certain shops that have PayPoint.
An IDP costs £5.50.
You must:
- live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland
- have a full UK driving licence
- be 18 or over
Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP) first.
A 1926 or 1949 permit lasts for 12 months. A 1968 permit lasts for 3 years or until your UK driving licence expires, whichever comes first.
4. Driving if you move abroad
You may need to get a local driving licence if you move abroad. Check with the driving licence authorities there to find out how to apply.
In some countries you can exchange your UK licence without taking another driving test.
If you move to an EU country, check the rules for exchanging your licence in the EU.