Do you need an International Driving Permit to rent a car abroad?

It depends on two things: the language and alphabet of your home licence, and the country where you pick up the car. An English-language licence is usually enough in the UK and most US states. A licence in another language or script almost always needs an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside it. Some countries, including several in the EU, enforce the IDP for non-EU licence holders, so check the destination before you travel.

What is an International Driving Permit?

An IDP is a translation of your national driving licence into several languages, issued in your home country. It is not a licence on its own. Counter staff and police accept it only together with your original licence.

You generally cannot get one after you arrive. Source material for the US notes that you cannot buy an IDP inside the United States, so arrange it at home before you fly.

When does the rental counter ask for an IDP?

Counter staff work from a fixed checklist at pickup. For the licence, they look for:

  • the physical driving licence of the main driver and of every additional driver
  • an IDP, if the destination country requires or expects one for your licence

A digital licence app, a photo of your licence or an emailed copy does not count. If the IDP is needed and missing, the rental can be refused even when the booking is paid and confirmed.

The IDP is expected in three situations:

  • Your licence is not in English, or not in the Latin alphabet. Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese and Japanese licences need an IDP in every country, including EU countries.
  • Your licence is in English but the country enforces the IDP. This applies in some EU countries (see below).
  • You are picking up in a country where the IDP is expected, even if your licence is in English. Check the local rule for the country, not just the rental company's website.

Which countries need an IDP for non-EU licences?

One source lists these EU countries as either requiring an IDP by law for non-EU licence holders, or enforcing it strictly enough that renting without one is a real risk:

  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Greece
  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Poland
  • Hungary
  • Romania
  • Bulgaria
  • Czech Republic
  • Slovenia
  • Estonia

The same source says that an EU licence needs nothing extra anywhere in the EU. It also says that elsewhere in Europe the IDP is rarely checked in practice, though "rarely" is not "never". Rules can change, so confirm the current requirement for your country with your rental supplier and with official sources before you go.

Do you need an IDP for an English-language licence in the US?

Not necessarily. One US guide says most states accept an English-language licence on its own for a short visit, and that major rental companies will rent with it. The word "most" matters: the rule is not identical in every state, so check the state you will drive in.

For a UK, US, Canadian or Australian licence, one source says no IDP is needed in the UK unless the licence is not in English.

Will a rental be refused without an IDP?

Possibly. A confirmed booking does not guarantee pickup. Rental terms generally say the entry requirements must be met at the counter. If they are not, the supplier can refuse the rental, and any refund follows the cancellation policy you booked rather than being paid in full automatically.

Before you travel, check your specific supplier's conditions for your licence type, and do not rely on the headline price alone.

Where do the sources differ?

The sources agree on the core rules. They differ on a few details:

  • Licence holding period. One source says rental desks generally require at least one year since you passed. Another says suppliers want one to three years. Treat the longer period as the safer assumption and check your supplier.
  • Minimum rental age. One source gives 25 as the standard minimum in the US. Another gives 21 to 25 depending on company and state, and 21 as the usual minimum in most of the EU. This is not an IDP question, but it matters when you check the rules at the same time.

Quick reference by licence type

| Your licence | IDP needed? | | Non-Latin script (Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese, Japanese) | Yes, in every country, including the EU | | Non-English, Latin alphabet | Usually yes, carry it with your licence | | English, pickup in the UK | Not required, according to one source | | English, pickup in most US states | Usually not required for a short visit | | EU licence, pickup anywhere in the EU | Not required | | English or other Latin-script licence, pickup in an EU country on the list above | Check the country rule before you travel |

Before you book, compare rental conditions on Cars Renta and confirm your licence requirements with the supplier.