Incorrect: BRAZIL and URUGUAY recognize ONLY the "Inter-American Driving Permit", also available from AAA. **DO NOT** get the standard IDP if you intend to drive in either country. Every AAA IDP app will contain this footnote.
Countries accepting International Driving Permit
· By: Drivers.com staff
· Date: 2007-07-25
List of countries that have agreed to accept the 1949 United Nations Convention on road traffic covering acceptance of the International Driving Permit.
| Albania |
Guatemala | Peru |
|---|---|---|
| Algeria |
Guyana | Philippines |
| Argentina |
Haiti | Poland |
| Honduras | Portugal | |
| Austria |
Hong Kong | Romania |
| Bahamas |
Hungary | Russian Federation |
| Bangladesh |
Iceland | Rwanda |
| Barbados |
India | St. Lucia |
| Belgium |
Ireland | St. Vincent and Gren. |
| Belize |
Israel | Samoa |
| Benin |
Italy | San Marino |
| Botswana |
Ivory coast | Senegal |
| Brazil | Jamaica | Seychelles |
| Bulgaria | Japan | Sierra Leone |
| Cambodia | Jordan | Singapore |
| Korea | Slovak Rep. | |
| Central African Rep. |
Kyrgyz Republic | South Africa |
| Chile |
Laos | Spain |
Colombia |
Lebanon | Sri Lanka |
Congo, Rep. of |
Lesotho | Surinam |
Congo, Dem. Rep. |
Luxembourg | Swaziland |
Costa Rica |
Macao | Sweden |
| Ivory Coast |
Madasgcar | Switzerland |
| Cuba |
Malawi | Syria |
| Cyprus | Malasia | Taiwan |
| Czech Republic | Mali | Tanzania |
| Denmark |
Malta | Thailand |
| Dominican Republic |
Mauritius | Togo |
Ecuador |
Mexico | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Egypt |
Monaco | Tunisia |
| El Salvador |
Morocco | Turkey |
| Fiji |
Namibia | Uganda |
| Finland |
Netherlands | United Kingdom |
France |
New Zealand | USA |
| Gambia |
Nicaragua | Uruguay |
| Germany |
Niger | Vatican City |
| Georgia (Rep. of) |
Norway | Venezuela |
| Ghana |
Panama | Vietnam |
| Greece |
Papua New Guinea | Zambia |
| Grenada |
Paraguay | Zimbabwe |
The following are former Soviet Union countries that have agreed to the 1949 UN convention on International Driver Permits
| Armenia |
Kazakstan | Tajikistan |
|---|---|---|
| Azerbaijan |
Latvia | Turkmenistan |
| Belarus |
Lithuania | Ukraine |
Estonia |
Moldova | Uzbekistan |
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Comments
Marshall Lentini, on Wednesday, 01. August 2007 at 10:24 AM
Admin, on Wednesday, 01. August 2007 at 09:08 PM
Thanks Marshall.
Here's a link to the AAA page
http://www.aaafoundation.org/resources/index.cfm?button=permits#SouthAm
muzaffar, on Sunday, 05. August 2007 at 01:53 PM
iam working as a car driver in india
i wanted to work in australia
my qualification is ssc passed,inetermediate pursing
my mobile no is-09885041365
house no-17-5-360,sunnar galli,dabeerpura,hyderabad,pin-500024
india or-email adress.muzaffar_usa2000@yahoo.com
thank you muzaffar
Maria, on Sunday, 02. September 2007 at 12:35 AM
I will traveling to Brazil next month and
I would like to know the difference between International Driving Permit and Inter-American Driving Permit. I know that
Brazil and Uruguay only accept the Inter-American one. Any one could tell me why these two countries have a different
permit?
Thanks
gdgupta, on Monday, 01. October 2007 at 11:23 AM
whether holder of a international driving permit can drive a car in india without getting himself registered with indian registered licensing authority?
Ronald, on Sunday, 07. October 2007 at 09:50 PM
I'll be spending the next 3-4 months in USA (NY-NJ-CT)I'm from Ecuador and in my city, Guayaquil, I couldn't get an IDP because I couldn't find an office there. Can I drive here using my valid ecuadorian license. Someone told me that some states honor foreing drivers license. If that's the case, do I need an IDP? and where can I get it?
Marshall Lentini, on Wednesday, 10. October 2007 at 07:09 PM
"Any one could tell me why these two countries have a different permit?"
Uruguay is to an extent an economic appendage of Brasil, so they are obliged to follow the latter in some of its commercial policies. For example, the bulk of yerba mate in Uruguay comes from southern Brasil, and as this is a staple product, it makes more sense that Uruguay accept Brasil's permit than require the more popular IDP from Brasilian truckers. Brasil has its own permit, in the first place, because it is historically a different political entity from the other Latin American states, and though at present it is eager to combine to an extent with the others on economic policies, it strives to maintain its own ways and superior economic status.
Just pay the extra $15 if you really want to drive in there. Or have some cash handy for "para sobornar".
Marshall Lentini, on Wednesday, 10. October 2007 at 07:16 PM
"Someone told me that some states honor foreing drivers license. If that's the case, do I need an IDP? and where can I get it?"
You have to get it in or from Ecuador, not the US. It isn't mandatory, and in theory you may drive with only your Ecuadorian license, but the purpose of an international driver's permit (lower-case to distinguish it from the American IDP) is to "aid law-enforcement officials and others who need to know the actual content of the license." In other words: if you are stopped by a cop in, say, New York state, you will probably get by. But if you are stopped by a sheriff, let's say in Alabama, you will probably have to deal with some small-town bureaucracy. Getting an international permit would, again in theory - policemen aren't lawyers, and don't know the law beyond what it takes to cover their asses - protect you in such a situation, where the officer may be more inclined to fill his quota than understand that most US states have agreements to honor foreign licenses.
Henrik, on Monday, 22. October 2007 at 01:51 PM
I have a german international truck drivers license , in which us state can i drive with it ? I now live in the states.i would like to work as a truck driver again.
DK, on Monday, 22. October 2007 at 10:47 PM
Henrik, I think you have to try each state. They have theor own licensing systems. However, if you want one Itorganization to contact, this is it.
http://www.drivers.com/topic/62/
Click on
American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators - AAMVA
represents licensing and vehicle administration agencies throughout the U.S. and Canada. This site offers a clickable map with links to local agencies by state and province. These are the organizations to approach if you need information about licensing rules in your area.
Some of the other organizations listed here might help also.
shah, on Wednesday, 24. October 2007 at 01:38 AM
hi i have mexican driving licence ,mexican transport do no authorise any international driving licence for private car holders ,what i have to do for driving in USA legally.
Thanks
ahshkh75@hotmail.com
prasad Dalvi, on Tuesday, 30. October 2007 at 09:59 PM
A holder of a international driving permit can drive a car in india without getting himself registered with indian registered licensing authority.
mat, on Friday, 02. November 2007 at 05:59 AM
in this it mention like ireland garda accept indian licence.is it?
DK, on Friday, 02. November 2007 at 10:23 AM
I think so, if it's in english
veronica velasco, on Saturday, 03. November 2007 at 01:40 PM
I HAVE A ECUADORIAN DRIVER LICENCE..(NOT INTERNATIONAL) BUT I´M LIVING IN GERMANY RIGHT NOW FOR ONE YEAR..CAN I EXCHANGE MY LICENCE FOR A GERMAN LICENCE? OR DRIVE WITH MY ACTUAL DRIVER LICENCE HERE_?
RANZY, on Tuesday, 06. November 2007 at 10:27 PM
I'LL BE WORKING IN UAE IN A MONTH OR TWO, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT UAE IS NOT BEEN LISTED ON THE 1949 UN CONVENTION. I HAVE ALREADY GOT MY IDP, IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITIES TO ABLE ME TO DRIVE OUR COMPANY CAR AROUND THERE WITHOUT BEING SUMMONED BY THE POLICE TRAFFIC OR WHAT EVER.
Admin, on Tuesday, 06. November 2007 at 11:23 PM
Ranzy
check out our links on driving in the UAE here http://www.drivers.com/topic/152/
In particular the Arabian Automobile Association may be able to help.World travel Guides says you can use your IDP
Admin, on Tuesday, 06. November 2007 at 11:36 PM
Veronica
check this site
http://germany.usembassy.gov/germany/services/driving_in_germany.html
Omar Martinez, on Wednesday, 21. November 2007 at 11:40 AM
I have a US driver license and I'm going to spend some time in Ecuador I allready have my IDP but will that be enough I know that there are some police that do not respect any thing.
Don, on Wednesday, 21. November 2007 at 12:58 PM
Omar, You couldmeet a cop that is a problem just about anywhere. I think the IDP should be OK. Just a matter of being careful.
Elizabete, on Monday, 26. November 2007 at 07:31 PM
Hi! Relatives of mine will be coming from the country of Latvia to the US for a visit. Do you have any idea where in Rīga (Latvia's capital) they could get an international driver's license? Thanks!
DK, on Tuesday, 27. November 2007 at 07:16 PM
Elizabete, Latvia is a participant to the UN 1949. The IDP is probably given out by the local Automobile Association, at least that's a good place to start looking.
jeng, on Wednesday, 28. November 2007 at 07:19 AM
can i exchange my Gambian international licence with the German one?
Elizabete, on Thursday, 29. November 2007 at 09:01 PM
Thanks, DK! We're still looking. Btw, Latvia, though a member of the League of Nations prior to being absorbed by the Soviet Union, only joined the UN in 1991 when the SU collapsed.
SJ, on Sunday, 09. December 2007 at 10:12 PM
I hold 2 licenses , both from the UAE and India . I am a visitor ...in Canada.... and i would like to know if I can use any one of these licenses to drive here? Or , is it possible to acquire an international license here with the help of what I already have ?
Thanks in advance for the response .
Puneeth Joseph, on Sunday, 16. December 2007 at 03:47 PM
A person who drives a car in India cannot drive in the US with ease since everyone in the US drive on the right side. It takes months to get used to it anyway.
Steve, on Thursday, 27. December 2007 at 05:21 PM
I,m a Brit ( we drive on the left )
Took me 1 day to get used to driving on the right. Where do " months" come from?
DK, on Friday, 28. December 2007 at 01:21 PM
Changing from driving on the left to the right (or vice versa) is easy for most people - at first. The real problem comes when you get used to it.
Eye habits, and mental habits that go with driving on one side or the other don't change easily. Once you become relaxed in your new environment is when you are in danger of lapsing into your original habits.
I believe I saw studies some time ago indicating that the most dangerous period for tourists is after 2 - 3 weeks!
Sigamani, on Sunday, 30. December 2007 at 10:58 PM
Hi Am sigamani..Am working in India for past 10 years as driver..I want to apply for USA driver jobs not only USA for any other countries i like to work..Kindly tell me hw to apply for it n also let me know the procedure too..Hope someone helps me out..
Thanx
vijayta, on Tuesday, 08. January 2008 at 12:27 PM
hi,i had license in india and i also have international license..now i am in U.S.A
so is there any need to give test for license here..
keezheekoni, on Wednesday, 09. January 2008 at 06:53 PM
hi um i was wondering if i can travel to india without a drivers licence can i just travel with a drivers permit instead????? my email is kaya_keezheekoni@yahoo.com plss any help? and wat if i had state i.d too? would that help am just now 18yrs in dec 27th so i havnt been 18 that long but i really need this imfo cuz my mom wont let me learn to drive yet and i am trying to go to india soon on my own so any help???? tnx keezheekoni
keezheekoni, on Wednesday, 09. January 2008 at 06:59 PM
hey me again i just forgot to say that yes am us citizen and its ma first time traveling too if that helps cuz am trying to get passport and visa very soon,,,,,,,,,,,,,,bye keezheekoni
vin, on Monday, 14. January 2008 at 11:01 AM
i am getting my idp from india and will be traveling to the uk. Do i need to register myself someplace when i am there or can i just go ahead and drive? Thanks.
Chin, on Thursday, 17. January 2008 at 09:33 PM
Hi everyone. I'm Mongolian. Now I live and study in Japan. I see the Mongolia doesn't include the list of the IDP. Is it not possible to take IDP for Mongolian. Please help me, I want to know how to take valid IDP in Japan.
cristine, on Friday, 18. January 2008 at 03:15 AM
im a british citizen and would like to know if my british license is valid in the philippines...
Admin, on Friday, 18. January 2008 at 05:29 PM
Chin, We have information on resources for IDP here
http://www.drivers.com/article/207/
Here's what it says about Japan
"In Japan, International Driving Permits are issued by the Public Safety Commission of each prefecture (province). In Tokyo, for example, permits are issued by the Tokyo Metropolitan Public Safety Commission. Japanese residents are advised to contact the Driver's Licensing Center of Prefecture first."
norbert Sawilla, on Saturday, 26. January 2008 at 10:19 AM
I have a german truck license for 27 years can i drive with my license in the usa and work as an truckdriver
Mallu, on Sunday, 03. February 2008 at 11:35 AM
Can a visitor take truck licence in Canada?
faraj gilani, on Wednesday, 06. February 2008 at 06:09 AM
i hold a international driving permit from india. I need a light drivers job for a car or a van in london
Nilesh, on Tuesday, 19. February 2008 at 01:31 PM
I am having valid driving license of India. Need to know if I can use the same (without international permit) in Europe especially in Germany? Tell me the best and fastest option to get valid permit.
Julio Mendoza, on Thursday, 21. February 2008 at 10:54 AM
Im mexican living in Germany. I lost an American Drivers licence from Utah which was expired 1991.(when I was student)
Does any one know how long the Americans keep the records from an old drivers licence in order to just make a renovation?
What is the way to have an American drivers licence?
What kind of inmigation status I have to have to get it.
Valsan, on Saturday, 01. March 2008 at 10:54 PM
I have a valid UAE Driving Licence and i can drive vehicle in india with the same licence?
Ramona, on Monday, 03. March 2008 at 07:31 AM
I´m from Germany,and I have a european licence. Can I drive in the USA with this licsence over there?
Thank you for responding to my question
Ramona from Germany
sidney, on Thursday, 20. March 2008 at 04:25 PM
my florida drivers license has been revoked till 2011.
am i able to get an international drivers license?
Walter H, on Thursday, 20. March 2008 at 07:37 PM
Hey Sidney, How'd that happen? You can't do it legally. An international Driving Permit is only a translation of your regular driving license from wherever you reside.You HAVE TO GET a valid license first.
anthony, on Monday, 31. March 2008 at 06:54 AM
can i drive in tanzania with my canadian drivers licence?
Thomas Hendricks, on Monday, 31. March 2008 at 07:21 AM
Hello,
My name is Thomas Hendricks I work With a bank Here In London. I have a proposal that would benefit both of us financially and I am willing to give you 30% of the amount involved($30,000,000).You should provide me with your contact details , age , and occupation.You can reach me via my personal email:
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karen, on Monday, 31. March 2008 at 04:20 PM
Hello, my husband has a Heavy Good Vehicle class 3 licence in britain, if he gets an internatinal licence, will that carry over to Canada?
Also if he takes his Heavy goods vechile licence in canada, can he obtain an international licence to carry to another country.
Regards
Mike, on Monday, 07. April 2008 at 11:19 AM
Can I drive in Serbia with my Canadian driver license.Thanks.
sidman, on Tuesday, 08. April 2008 at 08:07 AM
I am in Poland for holidays and I have a valid UAE driveing licence issued in Dubai, Can I drive a rent a car in Poland ?
DK, on Wednesday, 09. April 2008 at 06:00 PM
Mike,
You should be able to drive in Serbia with your Canadian license. I believe up to 90 days
DK, on Wednesday, 09. April 2008 at 06:16 PM
here's what AutoEurope say about renting in Poland
"In Poland you must be 21 years old and have had a valid driver’s license for at least 1 year accompanied by an international driver's license in order to rent a vehicle through Auto Europe."
katerina, on Friday, 11. April 2008 at 07:18 AM
Hi I have russian driving license(international)may I drive in France and for how long?thank you
Admin, on Friday, 11. April 2008 at 10:26 AM
Katerina,
The International Driving License is good for 12 months. It should allow you to drive in France for up to 12 months but if it expires sooner you may have to renew.
KWADWO, on Friday, 18. April 2008 at 02:01 PM
Hello, am a ghanaina living in belgium, but i have a ghanaian international driving license, but i can not use it in belgium, so what should i do toget USA IDL to use in the world,my mail is watarah5gh@yahoo.com
jijo, on Friday, 02. May 2008 at 09:18 AM
Hi
I have an international driving license from India.Can I drive in Republic of Ireland with that licence???
fig, on Sunday, 04. May 2008 at 03:47 AM
I have an international driving permit issued in Thailand. Can I drive in baltic states, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with this licence? Thanks.
Admin, on Sunday, 04. May 2008 at 01:50 PM
Jiji , re driving in Ireland on an IDP, Ireland is a signatory to the UN convention on the IDP, but you must have a clean driving record and be 21 years old at least
Jeff, on Sunday, 04. May 2008 at 02:05 PM
I believe any country on the list above can give a valid IDP to any licensed citizen and this will be accepted in any other country on the list but the best place to check is with car rental companies.
martin, on Tuesday, 06. May 2008 at 01:17 AM
china legal driving car if you have a idp plus a drivers licence from south africa ,been driving here 4 months now
martin, on Tuesday, 06. May 2008 at 01:21 AM
bought one car here but dont know if legal to drive in china ,as it is not listed


