International Driving Licences

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is proof that you hold a valid driver licence in your home country and should be carried with your domestic driver licence when you drive overseas.

In France it is not currently compulsory, only recommended, but you may need it if you move onto
other countries such as Spain or Italy.

International Driving Permits are issued through state and territory motoring clubs such as the AA,
NRMA or the RACV.

It may be a requirement for renting a vehicle in some countries.*

Country	Side of Driving	IDP
Argentina	Right	Compulsory
Armenia	Right	Compulsory
Austria	Right	Compulsory
Belarus	Right	Recommended
Belgium	Right	Compulsory
Bolivia	Right	Compulsory
Bosnia & Herzegovina	Right	Recommended
Brazil	Right	Compulsory
Bulgaria	Right	Compulsory
Canada	Right	Recommended
Chile	Right	Compulsory
Croatia	Right	Recommended
Cyprus	Right	Recommended
Czech Republic	Right	Compulsory
Denmark	Right	Recommended
Estonia	Right	Recommended
Finland	Right	Recommended
France	Right	Recommended
Germany	Right	Strongly Recommended
Greece	Right	Compulsory
Hong Kong	Left	Recommended
Hungary	Right	Not Required
Iceland	Right	Recommended
Iceland	Right	Recommended
India	Left	Compulsory
Indonesia	Left	Recommended
Iran	Right	Compulsory
Ireland	Left	Recommended
Israel	Right	Recommended
Italy	Right	Compulsory
Jamaica	Left	Compulsory
Japan	Left	Compulsory
Jordan	Right	Compulsory
Kenya	Left	Recommended
Kuwait	Right	Compulsory
Latvia	Right	Recommended
Lebanon	Right	Compulsory
Macedonia (FYROM)	Right	Recommended
Malaysia	Left	Compulsory
Malta	Left	Recommended
Mexico	Right	Recommended
Maldavia	Left	Not Required
Namibia	Left	Recommended
Netherlands	Right	Not Required
New Zealand	Left	Not Required
Norway	Right	Not Required
Oman	Right	Recommended
Pakistan	Left	Compulsory
Paraguay	Right	Compulsory
Peru	Right	Recommended
Phillipines	Right	Recommended
Poland	Right	Compulsory
Portugal	Right	Recommended
Qatar	Right	Recommended
Romania	Right	Compulsory
Russia	Right	Recommended
Saudi Arabia (Women are not allowed to drive.)	Right	Compulsory
Serbia-Montenegro	Right	Recommended
Senegal	Right	Recommended
Singapore	Left	Recommended
The Slovak Republic	Right	Recommended
Slovenia	Right	Compulsory
South Africa	Left	Recommended
Spain	Right	Compulsory
Sri Lanka	Left	Compulsory
Sweden	Right	Not Required
Switzerland	Right	Recommended
Syria	Right	Compulsory
Thailand	Left	Compulsory
Trinidad and Tobago	Left	Compulsory
Tunisia	Right	Compulsory
Turkey	Right	Recommended
Uganda	Left	Recommended
United Arab Emirates	Right	Compulsory
United Kingdom	Left	Not Required
United States of America	Right	Recommended
Venezuela	Right	Recommended
Zimbabwe	Left	Recommended

An IDP is an internationally recognised, low cost, document which, when accompanied by your own licence will allow you to drive a private motor vehicle in a foreign country.  It is proof that you hold a valid driving licence in your own country. It is not always necessary to have one, since many countries recognise each other's licenses, but possessing an IDP has many advantages. It is intended to overcome the difficulties drivers may have while travelling in other countries that may have widely varying license requirements. It is printed in 10 languages - the five United Nations official languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian and Chinese) plus German Arabic, Italian, the Scandinavian languages and Portuguese. It may also be a useful form of pictured ID in the case of a lost or stolen passport.

When applying for an IDP you need to make sure your driving licence is up to date.

IDPs cannot be issued to holders of provisional licences without certificates of competence to drive.

Holders of foreign driving licences must make an application to the country which issued their national driving licence. If you are going to a country for longer than three months, to take up residence or employment, or for any reason other than tourism, you should make enquiries about that countries personal position before relying on a permit. You should always take your Australian / New Zealand driving licence with you when driving abroad, even if your a holder of an IDP. You may need to present it when hiring a car and may, if requested have to show it to the local authorities.
 

Australian Drivers - Organise an IDP

To obtain an International Driving Permit, please contact the relevant IDP authority in your state:

New South Wales
NRMA

Queensland
RACQ Ltd.(Royal Automobile Club of Queensland Limited)

Victoria
RACV(Royal Automobile Club of Victoria)

South Australia
RAA(Royal Automobile Association of South Australia, Inc)

Western Australia
RAC(Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia (Incorporated)

Tasmania
RACT(Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania Limited)

Northern Territory
AANT(Automobile Association of Northern Territory Inc)Â
Tel:(08) 8981 3837
 

New Zealand Drivers - Organise an IDP

At your local AA Centre or AA Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agent
By post
Online
Call toll free on 0800 500 444 with any questions.

At Your Local AA Centre or AA Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agent

You'll need:

Your current New Zealand Driver's Licence
A recent passport sized photograph taken with a plain background
To pay a $20 fee
By Post
You'll need:

A good quality photocopy of the front and back of your New Zealand Driver's Licence

A recent passport sized photograph taken with a plain background
To pay a $30 fee (includes postage and processing)
Please make cheque payable to NZAA Inc.
To provide your phone number or email address (just in case we need to contact you)
Click here to download an Application for International Driving Permit for New Zealand Drivers

Post Your Application To:
International Driving Permits
New Zealand Automobile Association
PO Box 5
Auckland
New Zealand