China licence Ireland

Driving in Ireland with a China license

Short answer: to drive in Ireland with a China license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna format, carried together with your China license.

Bring an IDP

Yes — to drive in Ireland on an China licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your China licence. Ireland accepts foreign licences, but an IDP is needed because China licences are not in the local alphabet.

Convention basisIreland uses the format of the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

At the rental deskRecommended for non-EU licences and requested for some non-Latin scripts.

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

Minimum age17+ 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: Geneva 1949 / Vienna 1968

Get my IDP for Ireland Full Ireland guide

Mainland China is not party to the IDP conventions, so Chinese drivers typically obtain a temporary local licence in the destination country. Your International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing licence, prepared in the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna format and carried alongside your national licence.

Driving rules in Ireland

Drive on the left.
Speed limits posted in km/h.
Seatbelts mandatory.
0.05% alcohol limit; 0.02% for learner/novice drivers.

Common questions

Can I drive in Ireland with a China license?

to drive in Ireland with a China license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna format, carried together with your China license. Ireland uses the format of the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

Is my China driver's license valid in Ireland?

Do I need an International Driving Permit for Ireland?

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

Recommended for non-EU licences and requested for some non-Latin scripts.

What IDP format does Ireland accept?

Ireland uses the format of the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

How do I get an International Driving Permit for Ireland?

An International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing China license. You apply online, and it is issued as a printable PDF booklet with a QR-verifiable ID card in the 1949 Geneva / 1968 Vienna format Ireland uses — carried alongside your China license.

Do I still carry my China license?

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