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Therefore, if Australia issues a international driving permit IDP under the 1949 Geneva Convention in the proper format, it is valid to drive in Japan. Failure to do so may constitute a criminal or civil offence and may have more serious consequences. It is highly recommended travellers obtain a valid IDP prior to leaving Australia.
If you plan to drive in Europe without an IDP, I strongly recommend you check the conditions of your travel insurance regarding this. NOTE: If you are living permanently in a foreign country, even though you may still hold a U.
Self-drive Holidays - You can check to see if you will need an IDP using the search tool below. Unlike what you have stated in your article, if you show almost anyone your licence or IDP in most of China, you still will have to do some explaining as neither are recognised on the Mainland.
If you are planning on driving whilst in Europe, it is recommended that you obtain an international licence, officially called an International Driving Permit IDP , prior to your departure from Australia or your home country. An IDP is an internationally recognised form of identification, and in many cases is a pre-requisite for hiring a car. It is compulsory in some European countries to present an IDP, as well as your current Driver's Licence from home, when collecting your hire or lease vehicle, or when pulled over by police. So, do you need an international drivers license? In my own experience, most times we have rented or leased a car in Europe we haven't been asked to present an international drivers licence - our Australian licence has been sufficient. Some countries, like Germany and France, require only a regular drivers' licence from home to be presented on collection. However, the confirmation of our car hire booking for Switzerland shows that you do need an international driver's license in Switzerland as well as a regular licence. Confirmation of our German car rental indicated that only a regular driver's licence from home was required. In Switzerland, we needed to present an International Driving Permit as well as a regular licence in order to collect our hire car. If you are pulled over by police whilst driving in Europe, you may be fined for not holding a valid IDP if that particular country requires foreign drivers to present one. See the comment by Suzanne below. According to the , failure to hold an International Driving Permit can result in exclusion from your travel insurance policy for a loss caused whilst driving overseas. If you plan to drive in Europe without an IDP, I strongly recommend you check the conditions of your travel insurance regarding this. The International Driving Permit will be posted to you once it has been issued. Where to get your International Drivers Licence Getting your IDP is as simple as visiting your local motoring organisation outlet. In Australia, International Driving Permits can be issued by RACV, NRMA, RAQ and other state motoring organisations. Visit the Australian Government's for further details about international drivers licences. Save Save Save Save Save I have been an Aus Expat for a number of years now and haven't had an IDP since '98. Rented cars all across Europe with out an issue. Now living in Switzerland, we cross into France and Germany many times a week to do our tax free shopping. Even taking out a silly street sign in Germany the Police officer didn't ask for it. Just submitted my paper work for an IDP - it's cheap compared to their fines. We travelled in France and Italy in May this year. Pulled over in Siena our GPS took us through the walled city and fined twice. We have been told that the Italian law changed in January and you need an international one! I'm not surprised your rental car company had no interest in the IDP, Steven. Despite renting cars on many occasions in Europe we have never been asked to present one. However, in some countries it is a legal requirement and if you were to get pulled over by the police and couldn't present one, you are likely to be fined. That's why I always insist we get one before our European travels. Hi Carolyn Have had clarification that most hire car companies do not need you to have the permit, but it may be a legal requirement in the country in which you are driving. If you are stopped by police and they ask to see the permit, they can fine you if it is a legal requirement in that country. I also haven't been asked for a permit on the occasions I have driven overseas, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Thanks for the clarification, Nicky. My understanding is the same as yours in that the IDP may be a government requirement rather than a hire car company requirement. Like you, I'd rather be safe than sorry. Trying to explain to a foreign speaking policeman why I don't have an IDP isn't something I'd want to have to do! We did not use them in Italy and have not needed them over our last few trips. It might have made sense back in 1949 when it started. I understand that the money from this ripoff goes to the Australian Automobile Association presumably for supplying the blank permits. Thanks for your comments, Warner. I can understand your annoyance at paying for an IDP and then not having to show it. I must admit we haven't been asked to show ours the last few times we have collected a rental car but I prefer to have one just in case we come across an officious employee who insists on seeing one. We did not use them in Italy and have not needed them over our last few trips. It might have made sense back in 1949 when it started. I understand that the money from this ripoff goes to the Australian Automobile Association presumably for supplying the blank permits. I am having the same issues. Drove in France for a month recently. Now wanting to do the same thing in Italy. It appears to be more difficult and I wonder if I will need this totally useless piece of paper. Quite clearly little more value than making an obscene amount of money for the automobile clubs rather than serving any useful purpose. Can i get an IDP while overseas? I am in Europe and want to travel around by car... Hi Daniel, As far as I'm aware the IDP must be issued in your country of residence. It might be worth a quick email to your State's motoring association to ask them. However, you may find a car rental company that is willing to rent you a car on presentation of your standard driver's license. Hi Nidhi, Not all European countries require the renter to show an International Driving Permit when hiring a car, however it is always a good idea to have one anyway. Regards, Carolyn - Holidays to Europe. Get more European travel tips and inspiration Hi, I'm Carolyn. Let me help you to start planning your European holiday today. Join my mailing list to receive handy travel tips and European inspiration delivered to your inbox each month. By entering your details you agree to receive emails from Holidays to Europe about European travel.
For an IDP sent to an Australian address please allow between 3 to 5 working days from the time it is submitted depending on the postal service selected. According to the Ministry of Transport of Vietnam, Vietnam accepts IDPs issued by countries who are members of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic 1968, of which Australia is not a member. Yes, all international driving permit IDP issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention and the specific format. Despite renting cars on many occasions in Europe we have never been asked to present one. Furthermore, in a case of an accident, the insurance claim may be rejected in the absence of the recognition permit, please check with your insurance broker. The Indonesian Customs and the Police Authorities are to register all foreign vehicles entering into the country. Maybe it's just lost in translation but to 'suggest' you provide an IDL, to me it comes across as a bit ambiguous. international drivers licence racv
