International Driving PermitGermany
An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Germany. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.
For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.
324. International Driving Permit
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates the information on a national driving licence into a standardised format for use abroad. It can help authorities understand a foreign licence when driving in another country, but it does not replace the original driving licence. Drivers normally need to carry both documents together. Whether an IDP is required depends on the countries that issued the licence and where the person intends to drive, so requirements should be checked before travelling.
Wikimedia.org • Thilo Parg • CC BY-SA
What is an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a standardised document that translates information from a national driving licence for use in other countries.
🔗 gov.uk • GOV.UK, driving abroad and destination-specific IDP requirements
Is an International Driving Permit a driving licence?
No. An IDP does not replace a valid national driving licence. It is normally valid only when carried together with the licence on which it is based.
🔗 gov.uk • GOV.UK, driving abroad and destination-specific IDP requirements
When do you need an International Driving Permit?
This depends on where your driving licence was issued and the country where you want to drive. Some countries recognise foreign national licences directly, while others require or recommend an IDP.
🔗 gov.uk • GOV.UK, driving abroad and destination-specific IDP requirements

Traffic rules
Germany