Planning an International Road Trip: IDP Guide

An IDP is not country-specific in the way a visa is. It is an internationally recognised translation of your national licence, accepted across the many countries that are party to the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna conventions. That means a single permit typically covers an entire multi-country drive.

The practical implication for road trippers is reassuring: you generally do not need a separate permit for each border you cross. You do, however, need to confirm that every country on your route recognises the convention your IDP is based on, since not all countries belong to the same one.

Start by listing every country you will drive through, including ones you only transit briefly. For each, check whether an IDP is required, recommended, or unnecessary for a visitor with your nationality, and note any country-specific rules such as minimum age or required equipment.

Because requirements differ, it is safer to carry an IDP even where you are unsure it is strictly required. An IDP costs little, removes ambiguity at checkpoints and rental desks, and means you are not relying on an official being able to read your home licence.

Carry your IDP and your original national licence together at all times, since the IDP only works as a pair with the licence. Add your passport, your vehicle registration or rental agreement, and proof of insurance valid for every country on your route.

Some countries require specific in-car equipment such as warning triangles, reflective vests, headlamp adjusters or first-aid kits, and rules on these vary widely. Check the requirements for each country before departure and keep the items accessible, because penalties for missing gear can be applied at roadside stops.

Make sure your IDP's validity period covers your whole journey, including any buffer for delays. An IDP has a limited lifespan and stops being valid the moment your national licence expires, so check both dates against your travel plans.

Confirm your car insurance and any breakdown cover apply across borders, as rental and personal policies are not automatically valid in every country. Sorting insurance, documents and your IDP before you leave keeps the focus on the drive rather than on paperwork at the side of the road.