Do You Need an International Driving Permit in Europe?
No. A UK photocard driving licence is accepted in every EU and EEA country without an IDP, translation, or any additional paperwork.
Your UK photocard licence uses internationally standardised category codes on the back. European police officers and car hire desks can read these codes without needing a translation document.
The bigger question for most travellers is whether their car insurance actually covers them abroad. A valid licence means nothing if your motor policy drops to third-party only the moment you cross the Channel.
No. The category codes on the back of a UK photocard are internationally standardised, so police and hire desks across the EU and EEA read them without a translation. An IDP is cheap enough to carry as belt and braces for non-EU stops, but it is not what will catch you out. Your insurance is — check whether your policy stays comprehensive past the Channel or drops to third party.
Compare car insurance quotes and check your European cover.
- Why is an IDP not required for driving in Europe?
- Which European countries accept a UK driving licence without an IDP?
- Should you get an IDP for Europe anyway?
- How do you get an IDP in the UK?
- How does your driving licence status affect your insurance abroad?
- What other documents do you need for driving in Europe?
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Why is an IDP not required for driving in Europe?
The 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic requires signatory countries to recognise each other’s driving licences. The UK ratified this convention, so all EU and EEA countries must accept UK photocard licences.
Did Brexit change anything?
No. Driving licence recognition was maintained through the Vienna Convention and bilateral agreements after the UK left the EU in 2020.
Your photocard licence works exactly as it did before Brexit in every EU and EEA member state.
This covers both tourist visits and short-term business driving in all 27 EU member states plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
What about old paper licences?
If you hold an old-style paper licence without a photo, the UK government recommends carrying an IDP in some EU countries. Car hire companies and police may not recognise the paper format.
Upgrading to a photocard licence is free through the DVLA and removes any uncertainty about acceptance abroad. Apply online and allow up to three weeks for delivery before your trip.
Which European countries accept a UK driving licence without an IDP?
Every EU and EEA country accepts a UK photocard licence on its own. No exceptions.
What about non-EU European countries?
| Country/region | UK licence accepted? | IDP needed? | Notes |
| All 27 EU member states | Yes | No | France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Greece, and all others |
| Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein | Yes | No | EEA countries — same rules as EU |
| Switzerland | Yes | No | Bilateral agreement with UK |
| Turkey | Yes | Recommended | Car hire firms often require an IDP |
| Serbia, Bosnia, Albania | Check before travel | Recommended | Requirements vary — carry an IDP to be safe |
| Morocco (via Spain ferry) | No | Required or buy local | UK insurance does not apply — buy border insurance |
If your trip crosses from an EU country into a non-EU country, you need an IDP for the non-EU portion. Driving from Greece into Turkey or taking the ferry from Spain to Morocco are the most common scenarios.
Crown Dependencies including Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man also accept UK licences without an IDP. Gibraltar accepts UK licences under the same arrangements as the UK mainland.
Should you get an IDP for Europe anyway?
At £5.50, it is a low-cost backup that removes any possibility of confusion. But in practical terms, you will almost certainly never be asked for one in any EU or EEA country.
When does carrying one make sense?
If your road trip includes a non-EU destination, getting an IDP before you leave covers the entire journey. Driving from France into Switzerland does not require one, but continuing into Turkey does.
Long road trips through less-travelled areas of Eastern Europe can also benefit from having one. An IDP is immediately recognisable to police officers who may not see UK licences regularly.
If you are involved in an accident abroad, having an IDP simplifies the paperwork considerably. Local authorities and insurance assessors can process your details faster when your driving entitlements are presented in their own language.
How do you get an IDP in the UK?
Visit any shop with a PayPoint terminal, bring your UK photocard licence and a passport-sized photo, and pay £5.50. The IDP is issued on the spot.
Check which type your destination needs on the GOV.UK IDP page before you travel.
Which type do you need?
The 1968 Convention IDP is valid for three years and covers most countries worldwide including Turkey and African nations. The 1949 Convention IDP is valid for 12 months and is required for Japan, some US states, and parts of Asia.
Since March 2024, IDPs are no longer issued at the Post Office. PayPoint shops are the only UK outlets.
The UK government has announced plans to introduce digital IDPs through the GOV.UK Wallet app. Until this launches, the paper version from PayPoint is the only valid format.
How does your driving licence status affect your insurance abroad?
Your licence and insurance are separate requirements, but they interact. If you drive in a country that requires an IDP and you do not have one, your insurer could argue your comprehensive cover is void because you were not legally authorised to drive.
What should you check before travelling?
Confirm your UK car insurance extends to your destination. Many policies drop from comprehensive to third-party only cover abroad, even within the EU.
For short trips or borrowed vehicles, temporary car insurance can provide cover for the exact dates you need. Check that any temporary policy includes European driving before you buy.
Does driving abroad affect your premium?
European driving itself does not change your premium, but making a claim abroad can increase your car insurance costs at renewal. Fault claims in any country affect your no-claims discount in the same way as UK claims.
Some insurers charge an additional premium for extended European cover beyond the standard 90-day period. If you spend several months abroad each year, check whether your policy covers the full duration.
What other documents do you need for driving in Europe?
Your driving licence is one of several documents you should carry. Missing any of them can result in fines or delays at borders and checkpoints.
What is the full checklist?
Carry your UK photocard driving licence, vehicle registration document (V5C), motor insurance certificate, and MOT certificate if the car is over three years old. Some countries including France and Spain also require you to carry a warning triangle, a reflective safety jacket, and a set of spare bulbs in the vehicle.
Green cards are no longer required for driving in EU or EEA countries. Your insurer can issue one within a few working days if you need one for a non-EU destination.
Check the GOV.UK driving abroad page for country-specific document requirements before your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No. All EU countries accept UK photocard driving licences without an IDP for tourist and short-term business driving.
It is not always legally required but is strongly recommended. Turkish car hire companies often refuse to release a vehicle without one.
£5.50 from any PayPoint shop. Bring your UK photocard licence and a passport-sized photo, and you will receive it on the spot.
Yes, because car hire companies across the EU and EEA accept UK photocard licences. Some companies outside the EU may require one.
Possibly, because some EU countries and car hire companies may not recognise the paper format. The UK government recommends checking with the embassy of your destination.
The 1968 Convention IDP lasts three years or until your licence expires. The 1949 Convention IDP lasts 12 months.
No. Since March 2024, IDPs are issued only at PayPoint shops.