We have not yet checked the United Kingdom’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
We have not yet checked the United Kingdom’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
Rules for all foreign drivers in the United Kingdom
We have not yet checked the United Kingdom’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
Which IDP version the United Kingdom accepts
The United Kingdom 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 8 July 1957) |
| 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic | Party (ratified 28 March 2018) |
Source: United Nations Treaty Collection.
Getting the right IDP for the United Kingdom
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
The US and Canadian advice does not say.
UK licence holdersNot covered by this source.
US licence holdersNot stated in the advice, check the source.Source: US Department of State, updated 8 September 2026
Canadian licence holdersNot stated in the advice, check the source.Source: Government of Canada, updated 5 October 2026
What the governments say
Short quotes from each government's travel advice for its own citizens. The wording is theirs.
Government of Canada
Car rental companies may require an international driving permit, especially if your licence is not in English.
Source: Government of Canada travel advice for the United Kingdom, updated 5 October 2026. Quoted as published.
Questions
Can I drive in the United Kingdom with a foreign licence?
We have not yet checked the United Kingdom’s own rules for foreign licences. Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
Can I drive in the United Kingdom with a 1968 IDP?
Yes. The United Kingdom is a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention (ratified 28 March 2018), so a 1968 IDP is recognised. Carry it together with your national driving licence.
Can I drive in the United Kingdom with a 1949 IDP?
Yes. The United Kingdom is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention (ratified 8 July 1957), so a 1949 IDP is recognised. Carry it together with your national driving licence.
Do US licence holders need an IDP in the United Kingdom?
The US Department of State advice does not say. Source: US Department of State, updated 8 September 2026.
Do Canadian licence holders need an IDP in the United Kingdom?
The Government of Canada advice does not say. Source: Government of Canada, updated 5 October 2026.
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 Albania?
- Do I need an IDP in Andorra?
- Do I need an IDP in Austria?
- How to get citizenship of the United Kingdom
Sources and methodology
- US Department of State: travel advice for the United Kingdom. US Department of State: public domain (US Government work).
- Government of Canada: travel advice for the United Kingdom. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
- United Nations Treaty Collection: status of the 1949 and 1968 road traffic conventions.
The licence statuses above are derived automatically from the government text quoted on this page. Government advice changes often: confirm the current rules with the official source before you travel.
Last checked 9 November 2026.