Fleets wanting to drive in many countries outside of Europe will only be able to purchase International Driving Permits (IDPs) from the Post Office from February 1.

This means motoring organisations such as the RAC will no longer issue IDPs – the official document that effectively validates UK driving licences internationally – as they have done for many years.

While an IDP is not a replacement for a UK driving licence, which still must be carried if hiring or driving a car abroad, UK drivers may require one to drive legally in many countries and independent states worldwide.

However, there are three separate international conventions – 1926, 1949 and 1968 – that countries requiring IDPs may work to so it is important to ensure the right IDP is obtained for each country drivers are planning on visiting.

Currently, the UK is only able to issue IDPs to the 1926 and 1949 conventions, but as of March 28 it will formally ratify the more widely recognised 1968 Vienna Convention.

This means any UK driver with an existing International Driving Permit may find from March 28 it is not valid in many non-EU countries that operate to the 1968 IDP convention.

Carrying the wrong documentation may result in not being able to drive when abroad. Anyone needing a 1968 IDP to use soon after March 28 will only have a small ‘window’ of time to obtain the correct documentation as they can only be bought over the counter from the Post Office from February 1 and only become valid for travel on March 28.

A 1968 IDP has the added benefit of being valid for three years from the issue date as opposed to the 1926 and 1949 ones which are only valid for a year.

The decisions to ratify the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and for the Post Office to be the sole issuer of IDPs arose as part of the Government’s preparations for the UK to leave the European Union on March 29.

While the requirement to obtain an IDP for travel within European Union countries after the UK formally leaves the bloc will depend on what the Government agrees with the EU, the ratification of the 1968 convention will also bring changes to drivers heading to non-EU states.

RAC spokesman Nicholas Lyes said: “It is important for those planning to drive abroad from 28 March 2019 that they check they have the correct documentation.

“There are some countries where previously UK driving licence holders required a 1926 or 1949 IDP, but after this date that version will be superseded by the 1968 IDP.

“Anyone with an existing IDP for the country they want to drive in who is travelling and returning before 28 March 2019 is not affected.

“Documentation for travel within EU states once the UK formally leaves is dependent on negotiations between the UK Government and the EU.”

In the event of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, the RAC has issued advice to drivers on which EU states would require which version of IDP.

The Post Office will become the sole issuer of International Driving Permits which can only be obtained over the counter in 2,500 branches.

Lyes continued: “Motorists should check which Post Offices will issue IDPs before going into a branch.

“It’s also important to remember that different IDPs are valid for different lengths of time and that IDPs complement the UK driving licence when abroad rather than replace it.”

International Driving Permits Key Dates Timeline

Date

Event

31 January 2019

The last date RAC will issue IDPs. The RAC will not be able to issue IDPs for travel after 31 January

1 February 2019

The Post Office will become the sole issuer of IDPs. For the first time, three types of IDPs will be issued – 1926, 1949 and 1968. People driving abroad who have existing IDPs for future travel (from 28 March) should check the validity of the IDP from this date. They can be issued the correct IDP from the Post Office.

28 March 2019

The 1968 IDP will become valid for use by UK drivers abroad where they are required.

29 March 2019

The UK is set to leave the European Union. Requirement for IDPs in EU states is dependent on whether a deal is agreed between the UK Government and the EU.

 

Guide to International Driving Permit validity by convention year and country

International driving permit types available for purchase from 1 February 2019 from the Post Office

Validity and countries from 28 March 2019

(For EU states, a requirement for an IDP is dependent on the UK-EU Brexit negotiations)

EU nations are highlighted in bold text

1926 IDP – 3 countries

Valid for 1 year from purchase

Somalia, Mexico, Liechtenstein

1949 IDP – 73 countries/states

Valid for 1 year from purchase

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Republic of Congo, Costa Rica, Curacao, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Holy See (Vatican City), Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Macao, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Republic of (South) Korea, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United States of America, Venezuela, Zambia

1968 IDP – 103 countries

Valid for 3 years from purchase

Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Aruba, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belarus, Bhutan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mauritania, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Sudan, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe

 

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