International Driving Permits and Insurance – What You Need to Know in 2025

Driving

3 min read

Are you planning on driving abroad? Whether you’re driving in Europe or further afield, you’ll need to know if you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) and how this impacts your car insurance.

We’ve put together this guide to help you prepare to drive abroad and stay protected.

What is an International Driving Permit?

An IDP is a multi‑language translation of your UK driving licence. It acts as proof of your licence when driving in countries where a UK licence alone may not be enough.

IDPs come in three main types under international conventions:

The 1926 Paris Convention version is valid for one year from the date of issue
The 1949 Geneva Convention version is valid for one year from the issue date
The 1968 Vienna Convention model can last up to three years or until your UK licence expires, whichever comes first

In all cases, you’ll need your full UK driving licence alongside your IDP.

And though you wouldn’t need to, it’s worth noting that you can't use the IDP in the UK itself, only abroad.

Do I need an IDP?

If you have a UK photocard licence, you don’t need an IDP to drive in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

However, it’s very important to remember that a paper licence isn’t enough, it must be a photocard. If you only have a paper licence, you’ll need an IDP.

If you’re planning on driving outside of Europe, you’re likely to need an IDP. Countries that require or at the very least recommend an IDP include the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Turkey, and Japan.

It’s also worth noting that some car rental companies may still require an IDP even in the EU, so it’s always worth asking ahead of getting an IDP just in case.

How do I get an IDP?

Since the 1st of April 2024, you can no longer get an IDP from the Post Office. You now need to go to a participating PayPoint location and pay the £5.50 charge.

You can only apply in-person, and must:

Be 18 or older
Be a resident of Great Britain or Northern Ireland
Hold a full UK driving licence

Does an IDP affect my car insurance?

In a word, no.

An IDP does not affect your insurance. It isn’t a ‘Green Card’, simply a translated copy of your driving licence. In any case, you no longer need a physical Green Card to drive in the EU, EEA, or countries like Switzerland. If you have valid insurance, you’re fine.

Many UK car insurance policies usually include third-party cover by default when driving in the EU, but this only covers damage to the other car, not your own. Speak to your insurance broker to confirm what your policy covers and upgrade if you feel you need to.

Some tips for driving in Europe

Safety gear: Many countries require you to carry a warning triangle, high-visibility jacket, and sometimes spare glasses if needed

“UK” sticker: Display one on your vehicle unless your number plate already includes the UK flag or identifier. It’s mandatory in countries like Spain, Cyprus, and Malta

Clean air zones and emissions stickers: France requires a Crit’Air sticker to enter low-emission zones, while other countries like Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands have their own requirements

Tolls: Plan for motorway tolls and consider whether a toll tag or pay-as-you-go works best for your trip

If you’re planning on driving abroad, with or without an International Driving Permit, and would like to discuss a car insurance policy, our experienced team would love to chat through your options with you. Give us a call on 08000 66 55 44 today.