The Burrow
Aug 14, 2025
Your driving licence is more than just your ticket to your local roads, as it can also act as your global ticket that unlocks adventures far beyond home. In 2025, the most powerful driving licences present opportunities in dozens of countries, offering seamless mobility and peace of mind wherever you roam.
The car insurance experts at Compare the Market Australia have carried out some research that dives into the cost of learning to drive, assesses international driving recognition, and compares driving licence validity by country to reveal which credentials truly reign supreme.
From low learning costs that make getting behind the wheel affordable, to licences that grant you unrestricted access across borders, we’ve ranked the best countries for drivers in 2025. Whether you’re planning a European road trip, a North American cross-country adventure or exploring the highways of Asia, understanding your licence’s global reach can save you time, money and paperwork. Read on to discover how your driving licence holds up in different countries around the world.
To see the results of our 2021 research, click here.
Let’s begin by looking at the countries with driving licences that pack the most power.
At number one, Finland provides the most powerful driving licences in the world. They last for 15 years and the total cost of learning to drive is a reasonable EU€257 (AU$406). Most importantly, an impressive 141 countries recognise a Finnish driving licence, giving it supreme international driving recognition. As a result, Finland achieves a Powerful Driving Licence Score of 98.08 out of 100.
Belgium takes the total cost of learning to drive back down to a manageable amount, as it averages out at EU€160 (AU$253) and lasts for 10 years. Belgium is one of the best countries for drivers in 2025, as a licence from there is recognised in 106 countries. Together, these factors give Belgian driving licences a Powerful Driving Licence Score of 78.16 out of 100.
France stands out when it comes to the total cost of learning to drive, as it will require an eye-watering EU€1,672 (AU$2,642). Despite this, the licence is valid for 15 years and recognised in 116 countries, giving it a Powerful Driving Licence Score of 77.09 out of 100.
A driving licence in Cyprus lasts even longer, as it will take 15 years for it to expire. It’s also a lot cheaper to get one, as the total cost of learning to drive is just EU€94 (AU$149). Though it doesn’t have quite as much international driving recognition (only 47 countries recognise a Cypriot driving licence), Cyprus receives a Powerful Driving Licence Score of 66.14 out of 100, placing it at number four in our rankings.
One of the best countries for drivers in 2025, a Spanish driving licence lasts 10 years and the total cost of learning to drive is EU€550 (AU$869). It’s also recognised by 62 countries, which combines with the previous factors to give Spain a Powerful Driving Licence Score of 59.22 out of 100.
At the other end of our rankings is Japan, which has a Powerful Driving Licence Score of just 24.73 out of 100. This is due to the total cost of learning to drive standing at JP ¥300,000 Yen (AU$3,600) and a driving licence only being valid for five years. In addition, the licence is only recognised in 30 countries, making it short-lived, relatively expensive and not very widely accepted.
As for Australia, a driving licence is also valid for five years but is only recognised in 24 countries, which is fewer than a Japanese licence. However, the total average cost of learning to drive across all states stands at a far more affordable AU$770, giving Australia a Powerful Driving Licence Score of 37.95 out of 100.
One advantage in Australia is that a driving licence can usually be applied for at the age of 16 years old, depending on the state. This is the same in New Zealand and the USA, where the minimum age is 16, and younger than most other countries where you must be either 17 or 18.
The total cost of learning to drive varies enormously around the world. The USA offers the most affordable route to a driving licence at just US$35 (AU$52). However, with no full recognition agreements in other countries, it receives a Powerful Driving Licence Score of just 38.33.
In contrast, Germany is the most expensive at EU€2,950 (AU$4,661). This significantly impacts its score (44.15) despite a decent number of recognition agreements (54 countries).
In terms of validity, countries such as Finland, France, Germany, Cyprus and Greece offer licences that last for a very generous 15 years. Meanwhile, driving licences in Australia, Canada, Japan and South Africa only last for five years, which can be less cost-effective and require more admin over time.
When it comes to ranking countries specifically by recognition of their driving licences, Finland (141) and France (116) take the lead, allowing smoother transitions for international drivers. Canada (14), Brazil (3) and the USA (0) have the lowest driving licence validity by country.
So, if you ever thought that all driving licences are created equal, think again! Some countries offer much longer validity periods than Australia, but they often come with higher learning costs too.
General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor, explains how car insurance is an essential part of car ownership.
“For both newly licenced and veteran drivers, it’s important to protect your vehicle,” Mr Taylor said.
“Car insurance is an essential part of being on the road. Whether it’s compulsory third party, comprehensive or anywhere in between, car insurance affords you the peace of mind that, should anything go wrong, you’re covered.
“When looking to take out insurance, it’s important to shop around and compare your options to find the right deal for you and your lifestyle.”
Always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) prior to purchasing a policy, so you are aware of any limits, restrictions or exclusions.
We’ve ranked countries based on the strength of their driving licences, using 3 key factors. To calculate the rankings, the data for each factor will be gathered, normalized, and then weighted to provide a total score for each country. Countries will be ranked from the highest to lowest based on these total scores.
The factors used are:
The cost values have been converted via Google Currency Converter on 15/07/25 using the following exchange rates:
The following exchange rates were used for conversions: