Ireland licence Ecuador

Driving in Ecuador with a Ireland license

Short answer: to drive in Ecuador with a Ireland license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna format, carried together with your Ireland license.

Bring an IDP

Yes — to drive in Ecuador on an Ireland licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your Ireland licence. Ecuador expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.

Convention basisEcuador uses the format of the 1968 Vienna Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

At the rental deskQuito and Guayaquil desks request an IDP for non-Latin-script licences.

CarryCarry BOTH your Ireland national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.

Minimum age18+ to drive; rental typically 21+ with a young-driver surcharge under 25

Validity1–3 years (you choose at checkout)

FormatDigital PDF you print yourself, plus a QR-verifiable ID card — accepted alongside printed permits

Last verified June 2026Source: 1968 Vienna Convention

Get my IDP for Ecuador Full Ecuador guide

Irish drivers should carry an International Driving Permit with their licence when driving outside the EU and EEA. Your International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing licence, prepared in the 1968 Vienna format and carried alongside your national licence.

Driving rules in Ecuador

Drive on the right.
Pico y placa plate restrictions in Quito.
0.03% alcohol limit.
Steep Andean roads with switchbacks.

Common questions

Can I drive in Ecuador with a Ireland license?

to drive in Ecuador with a Ireland license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna format, carried together with your Ireland license. Ecuador uses the format of the 1968 Vienna Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

Is my Ireland driver's license valid in Ecuador?

Yes — to drive in Ecuador on an Ireland licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your Ireland licence. Ecuador expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.

Do I need an International Driving Permit for Ecuador?

Yes — to drive in Ecuador on an Ireland licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your Ireland licence. Ecuador expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.

Can I rent a car in Ecuador with a Ireland license?

Quito and Guayaquil desks request an IDP for non-Latin-script licences.

What IDP format does Ecuador accept?

Ecuador uses the format of the 1968 Vienna Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

How do I get an International Driving Permit for Ecuador?

An International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing Ireland license. You apply online, and it is issued as a printable PDF booklet with a QR-verifiable ID card in the 1968 Vienna format Ecuador uses — carried alongside your Ireland license.

Do I still carry my Ireland license?

Carry BOTH your Ireland national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.