An international driving permit is a document needed to drive a vehicle while in a foreign country. It’s issued based on having a national permit and it can be used for a year before you need to renew it.
It’s also one of the least expensive documents needed for international travel. The permit is therefore worth getting even if you plan to use it only once in a while. Having it provides you with more options and more comfort while traveling.
It’s Easy Enough to Get
The international driving permit is issued by the International Drivers Association and the whole process takes about a week if it’s done online. You’ll need to provide a filled-out form, a copy of your national permit, and proof that you’ve paid a small fee.
This is much easier than getting most other permits and documents since there are no tests and exams that are usually associated with getting a driving permit. It’s also less expensive than getting a passport or any other document you could use internationally. It’s equally easy to renew the permit when it expires.
The Permit is Nearly Global
There are 150 countries in the world that accept the permit as a valid document and most of them actually require it if you want to drive or rent a car when abroad. This covers most countries that are popular with tourists even though there are a few exceptions to be aware of. For instance, China doesn’t accept the permit at all and Brazil only accepts an Intra-American International Permit.
There’s nothing you can do about those rules and the only thing that’s left is to apply for a tourist permit issued by the Chinese authorities.
You’ll Need it to Rent
In most rent-a-car agencies, vehicles can only be rented if you can prove that you’re legally allowed to drive. For foreigners, this means you’ll need to produce both a national and international driving permit since both documents are required to legally drive. The agency will then issue an insurance document that you’ll have to provide when stopped by the traffic authorities.
The cost of renting a vehicle can vary based on when your permit is issued or on your age. That’s because newer drivers are more of a liability to renting agencies. There are also additional fees if you plan to go on a long road trip.
Penalties
Since having an international permit is a legal requirement, there are penalties if you’re caught driving without it. The penalty itself depends on various circumstances, such as what country you’re in, have you made any other violations, and if it’s your first offense.
In some countries, your vehicle can even get impounded if you don’t have the permit with you and it’s best to avoid such issues altogether by being responsible while abroad. Japan is famous for being quite harsh towards foreigners driving without a permit – you may even get deported for it.
It’s Easy to Renew
An international permit is valid for a year and once it expires it’s easy to renew it. The whole process can be repeated online even while you’re abroad. Sending the permit via a special licenses currier can take a bit longer, however.
The permit won’t be valid if you can’t produce your national permit, however. It expires every 5 years in most cases and renewing it is a bit more complicated. Some states won’t allow you to renew the permit online meaning that there’s nothing you can do if it expires when you’re abroad.
What The Permit Isn’t?
Even though there are many benefits of getting an international driving permit, there are still things that you can’t do with it. For instance, the permit can openly be used to drive private rather than commercial vehicles. Which ones are which is determined based on the size of the vehicle and the number of seats it has.
The permit also can’t be used as proof of identification. If you’re asked to show such a document, you’ll need to bring along a passport or a national ID. Even though a permit has a photo it’s not legally an ID.
A Quick Verdict
An international driving permit is worth getting. It works in most countries in the world, it’s inexpensive, and it’s easy to get and renew when needed. Having a permit will allow you to explore foreign countries with more freedom and comfort, and it also buys you peace of mind in case you’re stopped by the traffic authorities.
