Do I Need an International Driving Permit in Ireland?We have not yet checked Ireland’s own rules for foreign licences.
If you need an IDP in Ireland, it must be the 1949 version. A 1968 IDP is not valid here.
We have not yet checked Ireland’s own rules for foreign licences.
If you need an IDP in Ireland, it must be the 1949 version. A 1968 IDP is not valid here.
Rules for all foreign drivers in Ireland
We have not yet checked Ireland’s own rules for foreign licences.
If you need an IDP in Ireland, it must be the 1949 version. A 1968 IDP is not valid here.
Which IDP version Ireland accepts
Ireland is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention, not the 1968 Vienna Convention, so it recognises the 1949 IDP.
| Convention | Status |
|---|---|
| 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic | Party (acceded 31 May 1962) |
| 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic | Not a party |
Source: United Nations Treaty Collection.
Getting the right IDP for Ireland
Ask for the 1949 IDP. In the UK: PayPoint stores (choose the 1949 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 US licence for up to 1 year or an EU/EEA licence. An IDP is recommended for Canadian licence holders.
UK licence holdersNot covered by this source.
US licence holdersUS licence accepted, no IDP needed.Valid for up to 1 year for a temporary stay; rental companies may ask for an IDP.Source: US Department of State, updated 19 March 2026
Canadian licence holdersIDP recommended.Source: Government of Canada, updated 6 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.
US Department of State
You may use your existing U.S. driver’s license in Ireland for a temporary stay, up to one year. Some insurance and car rental companies may request an International Driving Permit in addition to your existing driver’s license.
Source: US Department of State travel advice for Ireland, updated 19 March 2026. Quoted as published.
Government of Canada
You should carry an International Driving Permit.
Source: Government of Canada travel advice for Ireland, updated 6 November 2026. Quoted as published.
Questions
Can I drive in Ireland with a foreign licence?
We have not yet checked Ireland’s own rules for foreign licences. If you need an IDP in Ireland, it must be the 1949 version. A 1968 IDP is not valid here.
Can I drive in Ireland with a 1968 IDP?
No. Ireland is not a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention, so a 1968 IDP is not valid here. Ireland recognises the 1949 IDP.
Can I drive in Ireland with a 1949 IDP?
Yes. Ireland is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention (acceded 31 May 1962), so a 1949 IDP is recognised. Carry it together with your national driving licence.
Do US licence holders need an IDP in Ireland?
No. A US driving licence is accepted in Ireland. Valid for up to 1 year for a temporary stay; rental companies may ask for an IDP. Source: US Department of State, updated 19 March 2026.
Do Canadian licence holders need an IDP in Ireland?
Recommended, not strictly required. Source: Government of Canada, updated 6 November 2026.
Do EU licence holders need an IDP in Ireland?
No. An EU/EEA driving licence is recognised in Ireland. Source: Your Europe (European Union), Directive 2006/126/EC.
How long can I drive in Ireland with an IDP?
US Department of State (updated 19 March 2026): “You may use your existing U.S. driver’s license in Ireland for a temporary stay, up to one year.”
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 the United Kingdom?
- Do I need an IDP in France?
- How to get citizenship of Ireland
Sources and methodology
- US Department of State: travel advice for Ireland. US Department of State: public domain (US Government work).
- Government of Canada: travel advice for Ireland. 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.