What is an International Driving Permit? (IDP)
It is a translation of your driving licence which you may require when driving in countries outside the EU/EEA. It is valid for one year from the date of issue. You should always carry your full driving licence when travelling abroad as you may have to present it when hiring a vehicle. Our IDPs are issued according to international standards and are recognized by authorities in nearly all countries.
Who can apply for an IDP?
It is available to all Irish residents with a valid full Irish driving licence and to all EU/EEA licence holders who are resident in Ireland. It cannot be issued to learner permit holders or non-EU/EEA licence holders. There are two types of permits:
- 1949 UN Convention IDP. Most common type; recognised in most countries
- 1926 UN Convention IDP. Needed for driving in Brazil, Iraq, Nigeria and Somalia
Where can I use an IDP?
In Ireland, the only type of International Driving Permit that are issued are the 1949 and 1926 versions, which means you can use your international driving permit in any countries that have signed the 1926 or 1949 UN Convention on Road Traffic. Many other countries that are not signatories to the 1949 convention recognise and accept the international driving permit. Please note, you should contact your embassy or consulate in advance of travelling to confirm if they recognise it.
You can apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) in person at any NDLS centre.
Step 1: Book an appointment
You must book an appointment in advance.
- Call 0818 919 090 to arrange a suitable time and location
- Appointments are available at all NDLS centres
Step 2: Complete your IDP application form
You should complete the IDP application form before attending your appointment except for parts 5 and 6.
Step 3: Gather your documentation
Before attending your appointment, make sure you have:
- Your valid Irish or EU/EEA driving licence
- A completed IDP application form
- One passport-sized photograph
- IDP application fee (€15 – card payment only on the day)
- Proof of Address requirement - * This is only required where the address on your driving licence differs from your current address, or where you hold an EU/EEA driving licence and are resident in Ireland. In these cases, you must provide proof of address for your appointment by bringing a copy of a recent domestic bill issued within the last 6 months, clearly showing your current residential address.
Important information
- You must hold a valid Irish or EU/EEA driving licence to apply
- IDPs cannot be issued to learner permit holders
- You should apply in advance of your travel date
- Your IDP is only valid when used with your Irish driving licence
- A valid Irish or EU/EEA driving licence
- One passport-sized photograph
- Proof of Address requirement - * This is only required where the address on your driving licence differs from your current address, or where you hold an EU/EEA driving licence and are resident in Ireland. In these cases, you must provide proof of address for your appointment by bringing a copy of a recent domestic bill issued within the last 3 months, clearly showing your current residential address.
The fee for an International Driving Permit is €15 (card payment only on the day)
The IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue.
They remain valid until expiry.
No. Your IDP will expire when your licence expires if that is sooner than 12 months. However, you must have at least 3 months remaining on your licence to apply.
The IDP application can only be completed by the person applying for the permit.
Click here to see complete list of countries that requires IDP
*The contents of this publication are believed to be correct at the time of publishing
- If you travel to any country for longer than three months to take up residence or employment, or for any reason other than tourism, you should make enquiries about your personal position before relying on a permit.
- You will be expected to have your own driver’s licence with you for inspection when hiring a car overseas; an IDP should be seen as separate to your own licence. It does not act as a replacement.
- Unfortunately permits cannot be issued to holders of provisional licences or non EU/EEA licence holders.
- It is important to check that the information printed on your IDP is correct. If you need to make any changes to it, you should do this immediately & notify the authority that issued your licence.
- Holders of EU/EEA* licences other than those issued in the Republic of Ireland, who are permanent residents of the Republic of Ireland, are eligible for an Irish IDP. However to qualify, you must submit with your application form a copy of a recent fixed-line telephone bill or electricity bill, clearly showing your address of residence.
- Normal Residency in the Republic of Ireland is defined as follows: “You shall be regarded as having your normal residence in Ireland if, because of personal and occupational ties, you usually live here for at least 185 days in each calendar year. However, if you have personal ties in Ireland and occupational ties in another country, which require absences from this country, you may still be regarded as being normally resident in Ireland provided that you return here regularly. Working abroad on a specific task for a definite duration, or attending a foreign university or college, shall not imply that you have transferred your normal residence to another country”.
- Permits cannot be forward-dated more than 3 months from the date the application is received by the NDLS.
- IDPs can be issued at any time but will only be valid for 12 months or until the date of expiry of the Irish licence, whichever comes sooner.
- The IDP application can only be completed by the person applying for the permit.
- Only one IDP may be issued per licence per year unless you are looking for a replacement for an issued permit, in which case the IDP application form must be accompanied by a Garda report of the original IDP’s loss.
- An IDP may be issued for an endorsed licence once there are not 12 penalty points or more on it. If an IDP applicant’s driving ban is still in force, an IDP cannot be issue
- Applicants are required to bring one passport-sized photograph to their appointment.