Getting an international driver’s licence

You’ll need an international driver’s licence in most countries if you’re planning to drive or rent a vehicle. You can get this licence as long as you’re over 18 years of age and have a valid open or provisional driver’s licence; while drivers on their P-plates can obtain an IDP, learner drivers are excluded.

Most locations may have a minimum car rental age of 21 and require a full driver’s licence for you to be able to hire and drive. Other restrictions and conditions may apply that dictate what you can and can’t do in each country, so be sure you look it up in advance on the Australian Automobile Association website.

Even after you get your international driving permit, you should always carry your Australian driver’s licence. Your local licence validates your international driver’s licence, meaning that you can only drive if you have both documents on you.

If you plan on riding a motorcycle or scooter, you will still need a valid Australian licence and IDP, although some countries will only allow you to drive these vehicles if you have a local licence.

You can get your international driver’s licence or international driving permit online from the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) website as authorised by the Australian Government, or in person at your local state or territory’s motoring club:

You’ll need to have the following items with you whether you apply in person or online:

• A current Australian driver’s licence (not a digital licence)
• Passport-size photo (no older than six months)
• A credit or debit card to cover the cost of an international driver’s licence ($49 plus postage*).

*Price subject to change. Current as of February 2024.

It usually takes three to ten business days to process and deliver an IDP to Australia once you’ve submitted your international driver’s license online application form. If you need the licence immediately, your local motoring club should be able to issue you one on the spot, provided you meet the requirements and have the correct documents.

Most countries require you to get an international driver’s licence to drive or rent a vehicle. However, you may be able to drive with just your Australian driver’s licence in some countries, like Vanuatu, Puerto Rico and New Zealand.

Certain countries, like Portugal, the Philippines and the United Kingdom, will allow you to drive on just an Australian license for a certain amount of time (e.g. six months), so be sure to check out the specific driving requirements for any destinations you plan to drive in before departing.

Unlike a regular driving licence, your international driver’s licence is valid for 12 months from the date of issue, or until the expiry date of your Australian state or territory driver’s license if that comes first. So, if you got an IDP a year ago and your trip was delayed, you’ll need to get it renewed for your upcoming trip.

An expired, suspended or revoked licence isn’t a valid Australian driver’s licence that you can use to get an international driver’s licence. Furthermore, driving without the correct licence could get you arrested or land you in jail. Disobeying local driving laws and road rules can also invalidate any claims on your travel insurance.

While it’s a good way to get around your destination, certain risks come with renting a motor vehicle. Fortunately, car rental companies typically offer rental car insurance when you sign a hire agreement.

This insurance will typically cover the costs if your rental gets stolen, damaged or involved in a collision while you’re travelling, subject to the insurance terms. However, you’ll still have to pay an excess, which can cost thousands of dollars. However, you can usually get car rental excess cover either automatically or as an optional extra with your travel insurance policy.