Are you planning an overseas trip? If you are taking your car or want to hire a new one, you must know the international driving rules. Chances are, you may need an international driving licence.
International Driving Permits are not new. It’s been in use since the 1940s. You need one to drive in pretty much any country in the world. However, UK citizens do not need one to drive in Europe after Brexit.
Usually, International Driving Permits are a form of identification valid in almost 180 countries. If you forget to get one before the trip, you may not be allowed to drive a car in other countries. So, having a permit before leaving the country for the trip is important.
The blog talks in detail about the permit and how it may help you ease the international trip experience.
What does an IDP imply?
An IDP is an official document that authenticates your UK driving license internationally. You cannot drive a car if the country mandates having one. Some countries like the US, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand mandate it to permit driving. You cannot drive alone in these countries with a valid UK driving licence. You need both an IDP and a driving license. Precisely, the documents state you can legally drive in your native country.
There are 3 different International Driving Permits, namely the 1926 IDP, 1949 IDP, and 1968 IDP.
1926 IDP: driving permit for Liechtenstein
1949 IDP: permit driving car in Spain, Iceland, Malta and Cyprus
1968 IDP: Permit to drive in EU countries along with Norway and Switzerland
Who can qualify for an International Driving Permit?
You can get the IDP in person at the Post Office. It costs around- £5.50. Here are the eligibility criteria to qualify for the International Driving Permit:
- You must be aged 18 or above
- You must have a legal and full driving license as a native of the country
- Must be living in the UK, Northern Ireland or Great Britain for about 5 years
When you land at the post office for the license, you must have the following documents:
- Your full driving license- original and copy
- A passport-size photo with your signature on the back of it
- You must carry a passport with a paper license as legal Identification proof.
Note: You cannot get an IDP with a provisional driving license.
What is the step-wise process to get the IDP?
If you want to get the license quickly, the below swift and easy process to apply may help:
| Step 1 | Bring your latest driving license. You do not need the pink part |
| Step 2 | Bring one passport-size photograph. It should meet the size standards. Moreover, it should be a normal photo without too much smile. |
| Step 3 | Tell the authority of the country you want to visit. They will issue you the right IDP. |
| Step 4 | hand over the documents like passport-size photos, driving licenses or copies as asked. |
| Step 5 | Check the authority stamp the required documents, especially the motorhome part. |
That’s all! You can get the IDP just after that!
How long does an International Driving Permit last?
A 1926 and 1949 permit lasts for 12 months from the issuance date. Whereas a 1968 one lasts 3 years or until your UK driving license expires, whichever comes first.
How much time does it take to get the IDP?
If you have the documents, getting the permit does not take much time. The easiest place to get it is the post office in the UK or wherever the legal proceedings happen in your city.
What if I lost my driving license? How can I get the permit in that case?
Contact the authority if you cannot provide a photocopy of the document or the driver’s license. You can contact DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) to report the loss and re-issue a new license.
Also, do so before a month. You do not know how much time it may take to get the new license.
What insurance cover do you need to travel abroad?
If you drive in the EU or UK, your car insurance should cover at least the minimum. It requires a third-party legal requirement. In this case, you can ask the insurance provider to update or boost the cover.
Alternatively, check with your insurer if driving outside the UK or EU countries. Analyse whether the policy covers your driving outside or in another country. If it does not, you must upgrade your policy before leaving for the country.
After insurance, you may receive a green card. It is an internationally valid insurance confirmation that you must take with you. If you lack one, request it.
Moreover, always check the terms and conditions of your cover. However, some policies will cease to be valid after a certain number of days if you hire a car from a rental company. It includes car insurance as part of the package.
Does the car insurance policy cover you in the EU (European Union)?
Yes, if you hold a UK car insurance policy, it covers you in the EU and even EEA countries. Apart from that, you can also leverage the benefit of the same in countries like- Switzerland, Andorra, and Serbia. However, it may only be on a third-party basis.
Ask your insurance provider to upgrade the cover to drive easily in European countries. Moreover, there may be some time limit up to which you can drive in EU countries under your insurance policy. Thus, you must check your policy documents for the same.
Additional facts about International driving license
While the blog has covered nearly everything about International Driving License so far, you must know a few things more. Check the below facts regarding IDP to ensure safe and legal travel in another country:
- As an IDP holder, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your permit remains valid for a year or throughout your stay abroad.
- If your IDP expires midway, it may attract legal action if caught by law enforcement agencies.
- Some countries have restrictions on IDP usage. For example, you cannot extend or renew the IDP in some countries. They are valid for a specific period only. Thus, research the country’s driving and IDP regulations before travelling.
- You cannot apply for an International Driving License before 3 months of the travelling date.
- Only the country issues the IDP the driver belongs to.
What if you drive in another country without an IDP?
You may face severe consequences for driving without IDP in another country. However, the repercussions may vary according to the country’s laws, policy, and the graveness of the issue. Here are some common consequences of driving without IDP:
- The country’s authority may leverage a fine
- The authority may confiscate your car
- If you hire a car to drive in the new country, the hire company may charge you the cost to release the car from legal matters or cops.
Thus, you must avoid this situation. It is just an example, and it may lead to severe consequences. Confirm with the authority if you share confusion regarding the application or costs. Alternatively, to finance the legal matters associated with getting the license, get direct lender loans with guaranteed approval on your application. Here, the guaranteed approval is subject to affordability. You can use the funds to finance the need and pay later in easy instalments.
Bottom line
Thus, an IDP or International Driving License is a must-have to travel in any other country. Whether you want to plan an abroad Christmas trip or just a New Year gateway, you must have one. Otherwise, you may face confiscation and other legal charges and penalties.
The license grants the facility to drive or rent a car in the new country without trouble. Do not forget to keep your original driver’s license. You need that as well. The above-listed facts may help you ensure the best international trip. Happy Holidays!
