International Driving Permit

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An International Driving Permit issued by Taiwan (Republic of China)

An international driving permit (IDP), also called an international driving license (IDL), is any valid, required by law identity document that allows the holder to drive a private motor vehicle in any country or jurisdiction that recognises IDPs. To be valid, the IDP must be accompanied by a valid driving licence issued in the holder's country of residence.[1]

International driving permits issued by any body who does not have the authority to do so are considered invalid. An international driving permit is invalid if its format largely differs from that of the Vienna Conventions.[2][3][4]

The IDP, whose A6 size (148 × 105 mm) is slightly larger than a passport, is a multi-language translation of the driver's licence from the issuing nation, complete with photograph and vital statistics.

An IDP is not required if the driver's domestic licence meets the requirements of the 1968 convention; the domestic licence can be used directly in a foreign jurisdiction that is a party to that convention.

Driver information

1968 convention (as amended in 2011)

The main regulations about driving licences are in Annex 6 (domestic driving permit) and Annex 7 (International Driving Permit). The currently active version of those is in force in each contracting party since no later than 29 March 2011 (Article 43).

Article 41 of the convention describes requirements for driving licences. Key of those are:

  • every driver of a motor vehicle must hold a driving licence;
  • driving licences can be issued only after passing theoretical and practical exams, which are regulated by each country or jurisdiction;
  • Contracting parties shall recognize as valid for driving in their territories:
    • domestic driving licence conforms to the provisions of annex 6 to the convention;
    • International Driving Permit conforms to the provisions of annex 7 to the convention, on condition that it is presented with the corresponding domestic driving licence;
  • driving licences issued by a contracting party shall be recognised in the territory of another contracting party until this territory becomes the place of normal residence of their holder;
  • all of the above does not apply to learner-driver licences;
  • the period of validity of an international driving permit shall be either no more than three years after the date of issue or until the date of expiry of the domestic driving licence, whichever is earlier;
  • Contracting parties may refuse to recognise the validity of driving licences for persons under eighteen or, for categories C, D, CE and DE, under twenty-one;
  • an international driving permit shall only be issued by the contracting party in whose territory the holder has their normal residence and that issued the domestic driving licence or that recognised the driving licence issued by another contracting party; it shall not be valid for use in that territory.
Licence categories according to the 1968 convention applicable from 29 March 2011[5]
CategoryDescriptionCategoryDescription
A
Motorcycles
A1
Motorcycles with a cubic capacity not exceeding 125 cm³ and a power not exceeding 11 kW (light motorcycles)
B
Motor vehicles, other than those in category A, having a permissible maximum mass not exceeding 3,500 kg and not more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat; or motor vehicles of category В coupled to a trailer the permissible maximum mass of which does not exceed 750 kg; or motor vehicles of category В coupled to a trailer the permissible maximum mass of which exceeds 750 kg but does not exceed the unladen mass of the motor vehicle, where the combined permissible maximum mass of the vehicles so coupled does not exceed 3,500 kg
B1
Motor tricycles and quadricycles
C
Motor vehicles, other than those in category D, having a permissible maximum mass exceeding 3,500 kg; or motor vehicles of category С coupled to a trailer the permissible maximum mass of which does not exceed 750 kg
C1
Motor vehicles, with the exception of those in category D, the permissible maximum mass of which exceeds 3,500 kg but does not exceed 7,500 kg; or motor vehicles of subcategory C1 coupled to a trailer, the permissible maximum mass of which does not exceed 750 kg
D
Motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers and having more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat; or motor vehicles of category D coupled to a trailer the permissible maximum mass of which does not exceed 750 kg
D1
Motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers and having more than 8 seats in addition to the driver's seat but not more than 16 seats in addition to the driver's seat; or motor vehicles of subcategory D1 coupled to a trailer, the permissible maximum mass of which does not exceed 750 kg
BE
Motor vehicles of category В coupled to a trailer the permissible maximum mass of which exceeds 750 kg and exceeds the unladen mass of the motor vehicle; or motor vehicles of category В coupled to a trailer the permissible maximum mass of which exceeds 750 kg, where the combined permissible maximum mass of the vehicles so coupled exceeds 3,500 kg
CE
Motor vehicles of category С coupled to a trailer whose permissible maximum mass exceeds 750 kg
C1E
Motor vehicles of subcategory C1 coupled to a trailer the permissible maximum mass of which exceeds 750 kg but does not exceed the unladen mass of the motor vehicle, where the combined permissible maximum mass of the vehicles so coupled does not exceed 12,000 kg
DE
Motor vehicles of category D coupled to a trailer whose permissible maximum mass exceeds 750 kg
D1E
Motor vehicles of subcategory D1 coupled to a trailer, not used for the carriage of persons, the permissible maximum mass of which exceeds 750 kg but does not exceed the unladen mass of the motor vehicle, where the combined permissible maximum mass of the vehicles so coupled does not exceed 12,000 kg

1968 convention (original)

The Convention on Road Traffic has been ratified by 72 countries/jurisdiction. Examples of countries/jurisdictions that have not ratified the Convention include Chile, Taiwan (Republic of China), Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Holy See, Indonesia, Ireland, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, and Venezuela.

The Convention had amendments on 3 September 1993 and 28 March 2006. There is a European Agreement supplementing the Convention on Road Traffic (1968), which was concluded in Geneva, on 1 May 1971.

Note that before 29 March 2011 the convention demanded contracting parties to recognise as valid for driving in their territories:

  • any domestic driver's licence drawn up in their national language or in one of their national languages, or, if not drawn up in such a language, accompanied by a certified translation;
  • any domestic driver's licence conforming to the provisions of annex 6 to the convention; and
  • any international driver permit conforming to the provisions of annex 7 to the convention.

Prior to 29 March 2011, annex 6 and annex 7 defined forms of driver's licences that are different from those defined after that date. Driving licences issued before 29 March 2011 that match older edition of the annexes are valid until their expiration dates (article 43).

Licence classes according to the 1968 convention[5]
ClassDescription
A
Motor cycles
B
Motor vehicles, other than those in category A, having a permissible maximum weight not exceeding 3,500 kg and not more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat.
C
Motor vehicles used for the carriage of goods and whose permissible maximum weight exceeds 3,500 kg.
D
Motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers and having more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat.
E
Combinations of vehicles of which the drawing vehicles is in a category or categories for which the driver is licensed (B and/or C and/or D), but which are themselves in that category or categories.

1949 convention

The 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic has been ratified by 96 states.[6] The 1949 Convention's description of a driving permit and international driving permit are located in Annexes 9 and 10. Switzerland signed but did not ratify the Convention.

There is a European Agreement supplementing the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic, in addition to the 1949 Protocol on Road Signs and Signals, concluded in Geneva on 16 September 1950.

Licence classes according to the 1949 convention[7]
ClassDescription
A
Motor cycles, with or without a side-car, invalid carriages and three-wheeled motor vehicles with an unladen weight not exceeding 400 kg (900 lbs).
B
Motor vehicles used for the transport of passengers and comprising, in addition to the driver's seat, at most eight seats, or those used for the transport of goods and having a permissible maximum weight not exceeding 3,500 kg (7,700 lbs). Vehicles in this category may be coupled with a light trailer.
C
Motor vehicles used for the transport of goods and of which the permissible maximum weight exceeds 3,500 kg (7,700 lbs). Vehicles in this category may be coupled with a light trailer.
D
Motor vehicles used for the transport of passengers and comprising, in addition to the driver's seat, more than eight seats. Vehicles in this category may be coupled with a light trailer.
E
Motor vehicles of category B, C, or D, as authorized above, with other than light trailer.
  • "Permissible maximum weight" of a vehicle means the weight of the vehicle and its maximum load when the vehicle is ready for road.
  • "Maximum load" means the weight of the load declared permissible by the competent authority of the country(or jurisdiction) of registration of the vehicle.
  • "Light trailers" shall be those of permissible maximum weight not exceeding 750 kg (1,650 lbs).

1926 convention

The 1926 Convention on Motor Traffic is the older IDP Convention. It is only required in Iraq, Somalia[8] and Brazil.[9] International Driving Permits according to the 1926 Convention on Motor Traffic are also valid in Liechtenstein and Mexico[10] which also didn't ratify any of the above-mentioned later conventions.[11][12] Mexico also recognizes[13] the Inter-American Driving Permit according to the Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Automotive Traffic 1943.[14] This convention also contains regulations about driving licences and an international driving licence in its Articles VI and XIII and its Annex B[15] and thus gives an alternative opportunity for a valid driving permit based on a convention between several sovereign states. Article XIII paragraph 2 says "the international driving licence issued in accordance with the international Convention of 1926 shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this Article" (which defines the requirements of the international driving licence according to the Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Automotive Traffic 1943). For states that have ratified the 1926 Convention on Motor Traffic[16] but did not ratify the 1. Convention on Road Traffic (1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic) (e.g. Germany) or the 19. Convention on Road Traffic (1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic) (Argentina, Chile, Egypt, Spain, India, Ireland, Iceland, Lebanese Republic, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand and the Vatican City State [eventually via the Holy See as contract party]) the number of states in which the International Driving Permit according to the 1926 Convention on Motor Traffic is valid, is higher.

Licence classes according to the 1926 convention[17]
ClassDescription
A
Motor vehicles of which the laden weight does not exceed 3,500 kg.
B
Motor vehicles of which the laden weight exceeds 3,500 kg.
C
Motor-cycles, with or without side-car.

Validation

According to the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic, an IDP remains valid for one year from the date of issue, with a grace period of six months. However, according to the Vienna Convention, an IDP remains valid for no more than three years from the date of issue, or until the expiration date of national driving permit, whichever is earlier. An IDP is not valid for driving in the country or jurisdiction where it was issued.

Countries and jurisdictions that are parties to 1949 Geneva Convention

The current parties to the 1949 Geneva Convention are listed below.[18] These jurisdictions issue International Driving Permits.

Asia, Oceania (19) Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Hong Kong(China), India, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand

Americas (15) Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Paraguay, Peru, Republic of Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America, Venezuela

Europe (36) Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of San Marino, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, Vatican City (Holy See)

Middle East, Africa (32) Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Israel, Jordan, Kingdom of Lesotho, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Republic of South Africa, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe

Countries and jurisdictions that recognize IDP

Following is a map of countries and jurisdictions that recognize the International Driving Permit[19]

  Party to 1949 Convention
  Not party to 1949 Convention, but the International Driving Permit is honored
  Not recognized
List of countries and territories recognizing IDP

* Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving Permit honored
** Requires presentation to local police and payment of special registration upon arrival
*** IDP must be exchanged for a local driving licence.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ "Canadian driver's licences valid in Florida, after all". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  2. ↑ Hasham, Alyshah (2013-02-14). "Florida Highway Patrol won't enforce international driver's permit rule". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  3. ↑ "International Driver's License Scams". Consumer Information. 2012-07-26. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  4. ↑ https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/MTDSG/Volume%20I/Chapter%20XI/xi-b-1.en.pdf
  5. 1 2 "1968 Convention on Road Traffic (2006 consolidated version) in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Arabic" (PDF). unece.org.
  6. ↑ "United Nations Treaty Collection". un.org.
  7. ↑ Convention on Road Traffic of 1949
  8. ↑ "International Driving Permits". AutoDriverClub. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  9. ↑ "IDP Country List | AA". www.theaa.com. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  10. ↑ List of contract-party-states in the current version of the german International Driving Permit according to the 1926 Convention on Motor Traffic. (In german language.) Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz (Federal Ministry for Justice and Consumer protection of the Federal Republic of Germany). Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  11. ↑ Status of the 1 . Convention on Road Traffic Geneva, 19 September 1949. United Nations Treaty Collection. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  12. ↑ Status of the 19 . Convention on Road Traffic Vienna, 8 November 1968. United Nations Treaty Collection. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  13. ↑ Countries Recognizing an Inter-American Driving Permit according to the Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Automotive Traffic 1943. AutoDriverClub. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  14. ↑ Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Automotive Traffic 1943. AutoDriverClub. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  15. ↑ Annex B of the Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Automotive Traffic 1943. AutoDriverClub. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  16. ↑ French original text of the 1926 Convention internationale relative à la circulation automobile containig a list of states that form the area of application of the convention (Champ d'application de la convention). Les autorités fédérales de la Confédération suisse (The federal authorities of the Swiss Confederation). Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  17. ↑ Anlage 8b zu § 25b Absatz 2 der Verordnung über die Zulassung von Personen zum Straßenverkehr [Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung - FeV] vom 13. Dezember 2010 [BGBl. I S. 1980], die durch Artikel 2 der Verordnung vom 5. November 2013 [BGBl. I S. 3920] geändert worden ist: Muster eines Internationalen Führerscheins nach dem Internationalen Abkommen über Kraftfahrzeugverkehr vom 24. April 1926. (Appendix 8b to Section 25b Paragraph 2 of the Driving Licence Ordinance [of the Federal Republic of Germany]: Sample of an International Driving Permit according to the International Convention of the 24. April 1926.) (In german language.) Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  18. ↑ STATUS AS AT 2017-08-07-08. CHAPTER XI. TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS. Convention on Road Traffic, Geneva, 19 September 1949
  19. ↑ "International Driving Permit". Heathrow, Florida: The American Automobile Association. 2006.
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