If you are planning on driving whilst in Europe, it is recommended that you obtain an international licence, officially called an International Driving Permit (IDP), prior to your departure from Australia (or your home country).
An IDP is an internationally recognised form of identification, and in many cases is a pre-requisite for hiring a car.
It is compulsory in some European countries to present an IDP, as well as your current Driver's Licence from home, when collecting your hire or lease vehicle, or when pulled over by police.
So, do you need an international drivers license?
In my own experience, most times we have rented or leased a car in Europe we haven't been asked to present an international drivers licence - our Australian licence has been sufficient. This always prompts my husband to ask “why do i need an international driving licence?” before we head off to Europe.
However, for the sake of $40, I would rather be safe than risk a fine for not having one if pulled over by the police for any reason.
Further reading: A step-by-step guide to the tax free vehicle leasing program in Europe
As you'll see from the photos below, your car rental company will most likely confirm what licence/s are required to be presented on collection of your hire car. Some countries, like Germany and France, require only a regular drivers' licence from home to be presented on collection.
However, the confirmation of our car hire booking for Switzerland shows that you do need an international driver's license in Switzerland as well as a regular licence.
Confirmation of our German car rental indicated that only a regular driver's licence from home was required.
In Switzerland, we needed to present an International Driving Permit as well as a regular licence in order to collect our hire car.
It is worth noting that the requirement to hold an International Driver’s License may be a law of a specific country and not necessarily a requirement of a rental car company. If you are pulled over by police whilst driving in Europe, you may be fined for not holding a valid IDP if that particular country requires foreign drivers to present one. (See the comment by Suzanne below.)
According to the RACV website, failure to hold an International Driving Permit can result in exclusion from your travel insurance policy for a loss caused whilst driving overseas. If you plan to drive in Europe without an IDP, I strongly recommend you check the conditions of your travel insurance regarding this.
Further reading: Are there toll roads in Europe?
How to get an International Drivers Licence
In order to obtain an International Driving Permit in Australia you’ll need to present your current drivers’ licence and a recent passport-sized photo and pay the fee of around $40 (2018 price).
IDPs are normally issued on the spot and are valid for 12 months.
Where to get your International Drivers Licence
Getting your IDP is as simple as visiting your local motoring organisation outlet. In Australia, International Driving Permits can be issued by RACV, NRMA, RAQ and other state motoring organisations.
Visit the Australian Government's Smart Traveller website for further details about international drivers licences.
Get all my tips for driving in Europe here | Get a free car hire quote
Comments
Rented cars all across Europe with out an issue.
Now living in Switzerland, we cross into France and Germany many times a week to do our tax free shopping.
Even taking out a silly street sign in Germany the Police officer didn't ask for it. BUT - a 'random' stop [suspect it was the swiss plates] by Italian police on the last day of this years Giro, and I spent 1/2 hour talking my way out of a 400 euro fine. Just submitted my paper work for an IDP - it's cheap compared to their fines.
We have been told that the Italian law changed in January and you need an international one!
Have had clarification that most hire car companies do not need you to have the permit, but it may be a legal requirement in the country in which you are driving. If you are stopped by police and they ask to see the permit, they can fine you if it is a legal requirement in that country. I also haven't been asked for a permit on the occasions I have driven overseas, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Thanks for your comments, Warner. I can understand your annoyance at paying for an IDP and then not having to show it. I must admit we haven't been asked to show ours the last few times we have collected a rental car but I prefer to have one just in case we come across an officious employee who insists on seeing one.
Now wanting to do the same thing in Italy. It appears to be more difficult and I wonder if I will need this totally useless piece of paper. Quite clearly little more value than making an obscene amount of money for the automobile clubs rather than serving any useful purpose.
Hi Daniel,
As far as I'm aware the IDP must be issued in your country of residence. It might be worth a quick email to your State's motoring association to ask them. However, you may find a car rental company that is willing to rent you a car on presentation of your standard driver's license.
Safe travels.
I am in Europe and want to travel around by car...
That's good to hear that your Queensland drivers license was sufficient. On some of the occasions I've hired cars in Europe I haven't been asked for an IDP either, but I like to be a 'boy scout' and always be prepared just in case I need to show it!
Having said that I did get the IDP before I left but haven't needed to use it.
Not all European countries require the renter to show an International Driving Permit when hiring a car, however it is always a good idea to have one anyway.
The rental agreement and/or voucher you receive for your car rental should state whether an IDP is compulsory or not, however, for the minimal cost involved in obtaining one, I always think it is better to be safe than sorry.
Regards,
Carolyn - Holidays to Europe.
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