Tourists urged to check if they need an international driving permit

Motorists planning a post-lockdown road trip are being urged to check if they need an international driving permit before leaving home – and to make sure they get the right one.

Car rental experts at StressFreeCarRental.com are calling on drivers to check government advice to ensure if their UK license is valid for the country they’re planning to visit.

Many foreign countries require UK visitors to acquire an international permit before taking to the roads – and there are three different types of permit available.

With travel restrictions gradually beginning to ease across the globe many Brits are planning a foreign getaway. But lingering pandemic concerns means more holidaymakers than ever are expected to include a road trip in their holiday agenda.

For many, that means hiring a car in their destination country and then taking off to explore but the experts warn that many drivers fail to check if they require an additional permit before they can take to the roads.

They also warn that there are three different International Driving Permits (IDPs) available, and it can be confusing to find out exactly which one is needed.

Holders of a full UK driving license do not need an IDP to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein but they must carry their photocard driving license with them.

However, an IDP may be required to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you only have a paper driving license or if your license was issued in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar.

The experts from StressFreeCarRental.com recommend checking with the embassy of the destination country if you have doubts about if your licence will be valid.

IDPs can be obtained from across the counter at the Post Office for just £5.50 but there are three different types and it is essential to make sure you have the right one for the country you’re planning to visit.

If your road trip is going to take you to multiple countries it’s necessary to check to see if you will need a different IDP for each country on your itinerary.

The three different types of IDP are known as a 1926 IDP, a 1949 IDP and a 1968 IDP due to the year they were first devised.

Both a 1926 IDP and a 1949 IDP are valid for one year while a 1968 IDP remains valid for three years, providing your UK license is valid for that long.

But an IDP is not appropriate for those moving permanently to a new country. These drivers should contact the authorities in their new country to apply for a local license.

A spokesman for StressFreeCarRental.com said: “Fly drive road trips have been incredibly popular in recent years and while the pandemic put a stop to that for a while we are expecting to see a sharp rise in the next couple of years as people start to hit the international roads once again.

“A driving holiday can be a fantastic way to see the sites at your own pace and to remain distanced from other holidaymakers.

“But it is essential for British drivers to ensure they have the correct permits with them to drive in their destination country.

“It isn’t difficult or expensive to obtain an IDP in advance of your trip. The problem is that many UK motorists fail to realise that an IDP is required.

“We also sometimes see drivers who have obtained the wrong IDP for the country they plan to visit or who have failed to realise that they require more than one IDP for the countries they’re taking in as part of a tour.

“Our advice is simple. Do your research and make sure you have the correct permit or permits to be able to drive safely and legally on your road trip.”

The table below shows which IDP is required for some countries popular with UK visitors.

Drivers can find out which permit is required for every world country by visiting StressFree CarRental.com