Country requirements · United Kingdom
Do you need an International Driving Permit to drive in United Kingdom?
Short answer
An International Driving Permit is recommended for United Kingdom and required if your national licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet. Most visitors can drive in the UK on a valid foreign licence for up to 12 months; an IDP helps if your licence is not in English. United Kingdom follows the Both standard, so your permit must be issued in that format. At rental desks operated by Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, Avis and Sixt, a valid IDP is a standard counter requirement for foreign licences; arriving without one can mean a refused booking or a lost deposit. United Kingdom drives on the left and the minimum rental age is typically 17+, with a young-driver surcharge usually applied under 25. Carry your IDP together with your original national licence and passport at all times — the permit is a certified translation and never replaces your licence.
Sourced from the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna Conventions and rental-network policies
United Kingdom at a glance
IDP requiredRecommended
Accepted formatBoth
Minimum age to rent17+ (surcharge under 25)
Drive on theLeft-hand side
Carry alongsideYour national licence + passport
CurrencyGBP
Top speed limit70 mph (113 km/h) motorways
Emergency number999 or 112
Driving in United Kingdom
What the rules require
When do you need an IDP in United Kingdom?
Most visitors can drive in the UK on a valid foreign licence for up to 12 months; an IDP helps if your licence is not in English. The permit is a recognised translation of your licence and is presented together with the original.
Does renting a car in United Kingdom require an IDP?
An IDP is recommended for licences not printed in the Roman alphabet. Having your permit ready avoids losing your reservation at the counter.
Driving rules in United Kingdom you should know
- Drive on the left.
- Seatbelts mandatory for all occupants.
- Mobile-phone use while driving is heavily penalised.
- 0.08% alcohol limit in England/Wales; lower in Scotland.
How long is an IDP valid in United Kingdom?
United Kingdom honours both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention formats. A 1949-format IDP is valid for up to 1 year; a 1968-format IDP can be valid for up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires. If you travel regularly, the validity clock starts on the issue date, not on first use — so order close to your departure to maximise usable time.
Documents checklist for driving in United Kingdom
- Your original national driving licence — the IDP is a translation and is never valid on its own.
- Your International Driving Permit, in the Both format United Kingdom recognises.
- Your passport or accepted national ID for police checks and rental pick-up.
- For rentals: the credit card used for the booking and your rental agreement (it covers the registration and insurance papers).
- Local currency or a card for road costs — United Kingdom uses the GBP.
United Kingdom · common questions
01
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in United Kingdom?
Visitors can usually drive in United Kingdom on a valid foreign licence, but an IDP is required if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet and is recommended for car rental. Most visitors can drive in the UK on a valid foreign licence for up to 12 months; an IDP helps if your licence is not in English.
02
Which IDP format does United Kingdom accept, and how long is it valid?
United Kingdom honours both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention formats. A 1949-format IDP is valid for up to 1 year; a 1968-format IDP can be valid for up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires. Your document is prepared in exactly that convention booklet format.
03
Do I need an IDP to rent a car in United Kingdom?
An IDP is recommended for licences not printed in the Roman alphabet. The minimum rental age in United Kingdom is typically 17+, and most agencies apply a young-driver surcharge under 25. Bring your IDP, your original national licence, your passport and the credit card used for the booking.
04
Which side of the road does United Kingdom drive on?
United Kingdom drives on the left-hand side of the road. Drive on the left.
05
What is the drink-driving limit in United Kingdom?
0.08% alcohol limit in England/Wales; lower in Scotland. Penalties for exceeding the limit as a foreign driver can include on-the-spot fines, vehicle impoundment and invalidated rental insurance — if in doubt, don't drive after drinking.
06
What is the speed limit in United Kingdom?
The maximum for cars on the fastest road class in United Kingdom is 70 mph (113 km/h) motorways. Limits drop in built-up areas and on secondary roads, and posted signs always take precedence — speed enforcement against foreign drivers commonly arrives as a fine charged through your rental company.
07
What is the emergency number in United Kingdom?
Dial 999 or 112 in United Kingdom. From any GSM mobile phone, 112 also connects to local emergency services in most countries even without a local SIM. After an accident, stay at the scene, secure it (use your warning triangle where required) and notify your rental company before any repairs.
08
What documents should I carry while driving in United Kingdom?
Carry your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit, your passport (or national ID where accepted), and the vehicle's registration and insurance papers (your rental agreement covers these for hire cars). The IDP is a translation of your licence and is never valid on its own.
09
Is an IDP the same as a driver's licence in United Kingdom?
No. An IDP is an official multilingual translation of your existing licence in the United Nations convention format — it does not grant driving privileges by itself and must always be presented together with your valid national licence. Note that some countries issue official government IDPs only through authorized bodies (in the US, AAA and AATA).
10
How long does it take to get an IDP for United Kingdom?
With International Driver Licence you receive your digital IDP by email in as fast as 8 minutes — a printable 16-page convention-format PDF booklet plus a QR-verifiable wallet card you can keep on your phone. That makes it practical even if you're already at the airport or the rental counter.
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