You do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the UK if you hold a valid driving licence from another country

The UK recognises licences issued by most countries outside the UK. If your licence is in English and shows your photo, name, and date of birth clearly, you can drive on it without an IDP. However, you must also carry a GB or UK sticker on your vehicle, a GB identifier plate, or a UK number plate — the police will stop you without one of these, even if your licence is valid.

An IDP becomes necessary only in specific situations: if your licence is not in English, if it lacks a photo, or if you are stopped by police and cannot prove your licence is valid. Some car rental companies also require an IDP before they will hand over keys, even though the law does not demand it. Carrying one costs little and removes doubt in either situation.

The rules differ depending on where your licence was issued and how long you plan to stay. A licence from an EU, EEA, or Swiss country works the same way as one from Australia or Canada. A licence from outside these regions may face stricter checks.

Key Takeaways

  • A valid driving licence from most countries is accepted in the UK without an IDP, provided it is in English or has a photo and your name clearly visible.
  • You must display a GB sticker, GB identifier plate, or UK number plate on your vehicle, or police can stop you regardless of licence validity.
  • An IDP is required if your licence is not in English, lacks a photo, or if you cannot otherwise prove your licence is valid to a police officer.
  • Car rental companies often demand an IDP even though UK law does not require one, so check the rental agreement before booking.
  • If you plan to stay longer than 12 months, you will need to exchange your foreign licence for a UK one.

When your foreign licence is accepted without an IDP

Your foreign licence is valid on UK roads if it meets three conditions: it is a full, valid licence (not provisional or suspended); it is in English or has your photo, name, and date of birth printed clearly enough for a police officer to read; and you are the person named on it. The UK does not require you to carry an IDP alongside it.

This applies to licences from EU and EEA countries, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and many others. The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) maintains a full list of countries whose licences are recognised. If your country is on that list and your licence meets the conditions above, you can drive legally without an IDP.

However, carrying proof that your licence is valid is your responsibility. If a police officer stops you and cannot read your licence or verify it is genuine, they may ask for an IDP as proof. If you cannot provide one and the officer is not satisfied, you could face a fine or be told not to drive until you produce it.

Why you need an IDP even if your licence is valid

An IDP is a translation and verification document issued by your home country's driving authority. It does not replace your licence — it sits alongside it. The UK police and car rental companies use it to confirm that your foreign licence is real and that you are authorised to drive in your home country.

You must obtain an IDP if your licence is not in English. A licence in another language, even if it has your photo and name, is not enough on its own. A police officer may not be able to verify it, and a car rental company will almost certainly refuse to rent to you without an IDP.

You should also carry an IDP if your licence lacks a photo, if the text is faded or damaged, or if you are uncertain whether it meets UK standards. An IDP costs between £5.50 and £15 depending on your country and how quickly you need it, and it removes any doubt at a traffic stop or rental desk.

How to get an International Driving Permit before you travel

You must obtain an IDP from your home country's driving authority before you leave — the UK does not issue them. The process and cost vary by country. In the United States, the American Automobile Association (AAA) issues IDPs for around $20. In Australia, the National Roads and Motoring Association (NRMA) or equivalent state body issues them. In Canada, provincial motor vehicle offices handle them.

Most countries issue IDPs in person at a driving authority office or through a postal process. You will need your valid driving licence, a passport or national ID, and a passport-sized photo. Processing usually takes one to two weeks, though some countries offer same-day or next-day service for a higher fee. A few countries now issue IDPs online, though you still collect the physical document in person.

explore for your IDP at least three weeks before you travel, in case your process is delayed or rejected. An IDP is valid for three years from the date of issue, so if you travel to the UK multiple times, one IDP covers all your trips within that period.

What to do if your licence is not in English

If your licence is printed in another language, you cannot drive in the UK on that licence alone, even if it has your photo and name. You must carry an IDP alongside it. The two documents together prove to a police officer that you are a licensed driver in your home country and that your licence is valid.

Some drivers carry a certified translation of their licence instead of an IDP, but this is not reliable. A certified translation is not an official document from your driving authority, and UK police may not accept it. An IDP is the only document the UK recognises as proof that a foreign licence is genuine.

If you are staying in the UK for longer than 12 months, you will need to exchange your foreign licence for a UK one. You cannot renew a foreign licence while living in the UK, and you cannot drive on an expired licence. The DVLA can exchange most foreign licences for a UK photocard licence, though the process takes several weeks.

Car rental companies and IDP requirements

Most car rental companies in the UK demand an IDP, even though UK law does not require one. Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and Budget all list an IDP as a requirement for drivers with foreign licences. Some companies will rent to you without one if your licence is in English and has a photo, but many will not, and policies vary by location and vehicle type.

Check the rental agreement and the company's website before you book. If the company requires an IDP and you do not have one, you will not be able to collect the car, and you may lose your deposit. It is far simpler to obtain an IDP before you travel than to discover at the rental desk that you cannot proceed.

A few smaller or independent rental companies are more flexible, but you cannot rely on this. If you are renting a car, assume you need an IDP and obtain one before you leave home.

Staying longer than 12 months: when you must exchange your licence

If you move to the UK and plan to stay for longer than 12 months, you cannot continue to drive on your foreign licence. You must exchange it for a UK photocard licence within 12 months of becoming a UK resident. Driving on an expired or invalid licence is illegal and can result in fines, points on your record, and vehicle impoundment.

To exchange your licence, you must contact the DVLA and submit your foreign licence, a completed process form (D1), proof of UK residency (such as a utility bill or tenancy agreement), and a passport or national ID. The DVLA will assess your licence and issue a UK one if it is valid. The process takes four to six weeks.

Some countries have reciprocal agreements with the UK that speed up the exchange process. If you hold a licence from an EU, EEA, or Swiss country, the DVLA may exchange it without requiring you to pass a UK driving test. Licences from other countries may require a test or a medical assessment, depending on your age and the type of licence.

Vehicle identification: GB sticker, plate, or identifier

Even if your driving licence is valid, you must display a GB identifier on your vehicle. This can be a GB sticker on the back, a GB identifier plate (the two-letter code on the left side of your number plate), or a UK number plate. Without one of these, police can stop you and fine you, regardless of whether your licence is valid.

If you are renting a car, the rental company will provide a GB sticker or the car will have a GB identifier plate already fitted. If you are driving your own vehicle from another country, you must obtain a GB sticker before you enter the UK. You can buy them at petrol stations, supermarkets, and online for a few pounds.

A GB sticker is a one-time purchase and lasts the life of the vehicle. If your vehicle has a UK number plate, you do not need a sticker. If it has a non-UK plate, the sticker is mandatory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in the UK on my foreign licence without an IDP?

Yes, if your licence is valid, in English, and has your photo and name clearly visible. However, if your licence is in another language or lacks a photo, you must carry an IDP. Car rental companies often require an IDP regardless, so check before you book.

What happens if I get stopped by police without an IDP and my licence is not in English?

Police can ask you to produce an IDP to verify your licence is genuine. If you cannot provide one, they may issue a fixed penalty notice (fine) or tell you not to drive until you produce it. You could also be reported for driving without a valid licence.

How long does it take to get an IDP?

Most countries issue IDPs within one to two weeks. Some offer same-day or next-day service for a higher fee. You must obtain it from your home country's driving authority before you travel — the UK does not issue them.

Do I need an IDP if I am only visiting the UK for a week?

If your licence is in English and has your photo, you do not need an IDP to drive. However, if you are renting a car, the rental company may require one. Check the rental agreement before you book to avoid surprises at the desk.

What if I lose my IDP while I am in the UK?

You cannot obtain a replacement IDP in the UK — you must contact your home country's driving authority. In the meantime, if your foreign licence is in English and has your photo, you can drive on it alone. If your licence is in another language, you should not drive until you have a replacement IDP or exchange your licence for a UK one.