Do I Need an International Driving Permit in Austria?We have not yet checked Austria’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
We have not yet checked Austria’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
Rules for all foreign drivers in Austria
We have not yet checked Austria’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
Which IDP version Austria accepts
Austria is a party to both the 1949 Geneva and the 1968 Vienna Convention, so both IDP formats are recognised.
| Convention | Status |
|---|---|
| 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic | Party (ratified 2 November 1955) |
| 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic | Party (ratified 11 August 1981) |
Source: United Nations Treaty Collection.
Getting the right IDP for Austria
Ask for the 1949 or 1968 IDP. In the UK: PayPoint stores (choose the 1949 or 1968 IDP). In the US: AAA. In Canada: CAA. Elsewhere: your national automobile club or licensing authority.
What the UK, US and Canadian governments tell their citizens
No IDP needed with a UK photocard licence or an EU/EEA licence. US and Canadian licence holders need an IDP or an official translation.
UK licence holdersUK licence accepted, no IDP needed.With a photocard licence, age 18 or over.Source: UK FCDO, updated 11 August 2026
US licence holdersIDP or official translation required.A US licence alone is not sufficient: add an IDP or an official translation.Source: US Department of State, updated 20 August 2026
Canadian licence holdersIDP or official translation required.Valid for up to 12 months with an IDP or an official German translation.Source: Government of Canada, updated 4 November 2026- EU/EEA licence holdersEU/EEA licence accepted, no IDP needed.Source: Your Europe (European Union), Directive 2006/126/EC
What the governments say
Short quotes from each government's travel advice for its own citizens. The wording is theirs.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Austria if you are aged 18 or over.
Source: UK FCDO travel advice for Austria, updated 11 August 2026. Quoted as published.
US Department of State
A U.S. driver's license alone is not sufficient to drive in Austria. A U.S. driver's license must be accompanied by an international driving permit or by an official translation of the U.S. driver's license, which can be obtained in the United States at AAA, or at one of the Austrian automobile clubs (ÖAMTC or ARBÖ). U.S. citizens who intend to take up residence in Austria must obtain an Austrian driver’s license after six months of arriving.
Source: US Department of State travel advice for Austria, updated 20 August 2026. Quoted as published.
Government of Canada
You can drive for up to 12 months with your valid Canadian driver's licence, accompanied by an international driving permit or an official German translation of your licence.
Source: Government of Canada travel advice for Austria, updated 4 November 2026. Quoted as published.
Questions
Can I drive in Austria with a foreign licence?
We have not yet checked Austria’s own rules for foreign licences. Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
Can I drive in Austria with a 1968 IDP?
Yes. Austria is a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention (ratified 11 August 1981), so a 1968 IDP is recognised. Carry it together with your national driving licence.
Can I drive in Austria with a 1949 IDP?
Yes. Austria is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention (ratified 2 November 1955), so a 1949 IDP is recognised. Carry it together with your national driving licence.
Do UK licence holders need an IDP in Austria?
No. A UK photocard driving licence is accepted in Austria. Age 18 or over. Source: UK FCDO, updated 11 August 2026.
Do US licence holders need an IDP in Austria?
Yes, or an official translation. A US licence alone is not sufficient: add an IDP or an official translation. Source: US Department of State, updated 20 August 2026.
Do Canadian licence holders need an IDP in Austria?
Yes, or an official translation. Valid for up to 12 months with an IDP or an official German translation. Source: Government of Canada, updated 4 November 2026.
Do EU licence holders need an IDP in Austria?
No. An EU/EEA driving licence is recognised in Austria. Source: Your Europe (European Union), Directive 2006/126/EC.
How long can I drive in Austria with an IDP?
US Department of State (updated 20 August 2026): “U.S. citizens who intend to take up residence in Austria must obtain an Austrian driver’s license after six months of arriving.” Government of Canada (updated 4 November 2026): “You can drive for up to 12 months with your valid Canadian driver's licence, accompanied by an international driving permit or an official German translation of your licence.”
About International Driving Permits
What is an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an official translation of your national driving licence, set out in a standard format agreed under United Nations road traffic conventions.
An IDP is not a licence on its own. It is valid only when carried together with your valid national driving licence. During a traffic stop, you must show both documents.
An IDP helps because it allows police, car rental companies and insurers abroad to read and understand your licence details, even where the language differs from their own.
You can only obtain an IDP from the country that issued your driving licence, and you must do this before you travel. It cannot be obtained or renewed once you are abroad.
Whether you need an IDP depends on your destination, where your licence was issued and sometimes how long you plan to stay. The answer for this country is at the top of this page.
1949 or 1968 IDP: which one do you need?
There are two main IDP formats, based on two UN road traffic conventions: the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention. An older format, based on the 1926 Paris Convention, is still required in a few countries.
The 1949 IDP is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. The 1968 IDP is valid for up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires, whichever comes first.
Your destination decides which format it accepts, based on the convention or conventions it has joined. Some countries are party to both the 1949 and 1968 conventions.
If you are visiting several countries on one trip, you may need more than one IDP, depending on which conventions each country has joined.
| Format | Based on | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 IDP | 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic | 1 year from date of issue |
| 1968 IDP | 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic | Up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires, whichever comes first |
| 1926 IDP | 1926 Paris Convention | Required in a few countries only |
The page for each country shows which convention it has joined.
Related
- International Driving Permit: all countries
- Do I need an IDP in Germany?
- Do I need an IDP in Switzerland?
- Do I need an IDP in Italy?
- Do I need an IDP in Czechia?
- How to get citizenship of Austria
Sources and methodology
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: travel advice for Austria. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- US Department of State: travel advice for Austria. US Department of State: public domain (US Government work).
- Government of Canada: travel advice for Austria. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
- Your Europe (European Union): recognition of driving licences, Directive 2006/126/EC.
- United Nations Treaty Collection: status of the 1949 and 1968 road traffic conventions.
The licence statuses above were checked by hand against the government text on 9 November 2026. Government advice changes often: confirm the current rules with the official source before you travel.
Last checked 9 November 2026.