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An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an identity document that allows the holder to drive a private motor vehicle in any country that recognises IDPs. To be valid, the IDP must be accompanied by a valid driving licence.
Contents
- The 1968 convention as amended in 2011
- The 1968 convention original
- The 1949 convention
- The 1926 convention
- Validation
- Countries recognizing IDP
- References
The IDP, which 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.
The 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:
The 1968 convention (original)
The Convention on Road Traffic has been ratified by 72 countries. Examples of countries that have not ratified the Convention include Chile, China (Republic of China), Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Holy See, Indonesia, Ireland, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, 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 Article demanded Contracting Parties to recognise as valid for driving in their territories:
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).
The 1949 convention
The 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic has been ratified by 96 states. 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.
The 1926 convention
The 1926 Convention on Motor Traffic is the older IDP Convention. It is only required in Iraq and Somalia. International Driving Permits according to the 1926 Convention on Motor Traffic are also valid in Liechtenstein and Mexico which also didn't ratify any of the above-mentioned later conventions. Mexico also recognizes the Inter-American Driving Permit according to the Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Automotive Traffic 1943. This convention also contains regulations about driving licences and an international driving licence in its Articles VI and XIII and its Annex B 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 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.
Both 1949 and 1926 Conventions are authorised for issue to people over the age of 18 holding valid UK driving licences.
Validation
According to the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic, an IDP remains valid for one year from the date of issue. 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 where it was issued.
Countries recognizing IDP
Following is a map of countries that recognize the International Driving Permit