Do you need an international driving permit for car hire?
Check international-permit requirements against both your licence and your destination. A permit question cannot be answered reliably from the rental destination alone.
Confirm the underlying licence using Taking an original driving licence to car collection. For a multi-country trip, align permit checks with Requesting permission for a cross-border rental route.
Use the correct combination
Write down the country that issued your licence, the countries you will drive in and the rental dates. Consult the relevant official driving-abroad guidance and the supplier conditions. GOV.UK guidance is useful for UK-issued licences; drivers with other licences should use their own issuing authority and destination authorities.
Keep the permit with the licence
Ask which permit convention or translation is needed, if any, and allow time to obtain it through the authorised channel. Do not buy an unofficial document simply because it is advertised as an international licence. Check the validity dates and carry the underlying licence as required.
Build a country-by-country document matrix
A driver collecting in one country and visiting two others should check all three destinations against the licence’s issuing country. Record the official authority answer, permit or translation requirement and supplier condition in separate fields. This avoids treating an answer for the collection country as permission for the whole journey.
| Check | What to record |
|---|---|
| Licence origin | Issuing country and document format |
| Each country driven | Official permit or translation position |
| Supplier | Additional collection documentation, if required |
Your practical checklist
- Check every country on a cross-border route.
- Confirm any supplier requirement beyond entry-country guidance.
- Use an authorised issuing body rather than a search advert.
The question to resolve before you proceed
Which permit, if any, applies to my issuing country and itinerary?
Reference: GOV.UK: international driving permits for UK licence holders. Checked 14 November 2026.
Explore the full topic in Driver documents and eligibility for car hire.
