If you are planning a trip to Europe for leisure or business and want to drive a car while you are there, you need to get an international driver’s license (sometimes mistakenly called a worldwide driver’s license, this is also correct, but there are clear definitions in Europe). But keep in mind that obtaining international driving permits and obtaining a European driver's license designed to replace a license is only possible in certain countries. Does Europe need international rights?
What is an international driver's license?
The photo shows what the international driver's license looks like. An International Driver License (IDP) must be used in conjunction with a valid United States license in order to be valid because it is primarily a translation of existing driver’s licenses into different languages. This government document contains some basic identification information, such as your photo, address, and legal name, and translates your license into ten different languages. Does Europe need international rights?
In the United States, IDPs are available at the offices of the American Automobile Association (AAA) as well as the American Automobile Travel Alliance (AATA), usually for a fee of $ 15 or $ 20. These are the only two organizations in the United States that are eligible to provide international driver licenses, so do not try to obtain an IDP from any other service provider.
Some European countries require Americans to have an international driving license, while most do not. Often car rental companies do not comply with this requirement, but they can come in handy if you are stopped due to a traffic accident. Do you need international rights in Europe and in which countries?
Countries requiring IDPs
Before you go on a trip, it is better to check with the tourist council about the country you are visiting in order to get the latest information on what exactly you need to drive in another state. In general, however, most European countries do not require American drivers to have IDPs.
In which countries do you need international rights?
- Austria;
- Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- Greece;
- Germany;
- Hungary;
- Poland;
- Italy;
- Slovenia and Spain.
Again, you may not even be asked about IDPs in these countries, but technically you should have it or risk being fined.
What you need to know when driving abroad?
You should also be aware of traffic regulations in other countries, and the U.S. Department of State has good resources for overseas travelers, including information on roads and traffic conditions in a particular country. Their page “Traffic Safety Abroad” contains specific recommendations for safe driving.
To make sure everything is set up for you to travel to a European country, it is best to contact the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit to find out their requirements for IDPs or using your current license. Business travelers may also want to check the US Department of State's Consular Affairs Bureau for more information on the different counties, contact information, and requirements for each country. The IDF, an international driving license, is also called IDP.
Beware of scammers in this area
Travelers interested in obtaining international driving licenses should be aware of potential fraud at retail outlets selling them at overpriced prices. For more information, you can familiarize yourself with this issue at foreign sources that are engaged in the official sale of IDPs.
In general, however, do not succumb to any websites that offer an International Driver License or grant licenses or permits to people who do not have licenses or who have suspended state licenses. It is impossible to officially get them, which means they are either falsified, or it's just a hoax. Such sites are definitely created by scammers.
You will not only spend your money on these invalid documents. There is a risk of incurring problems with the law abroad if you run into illegal IDPs, so always check to see if you only pass these two licenses. IDP Issuers: AAA and AATA.
Driving abroad
For road trips in Europe, you need a driver's license in the UK or Northern Ireland.
You can use:
- license with your photo card;
- Valid document - only a license issued before March 31, 2000.
You may also need an international driving license in some non-EU countries.
If you are renting a car, the rental company may request a control code so that they can view your driver’s license.
Driving in ireland
You can ride in Ireland if you have:
- UK driving license
- foreign driver license, but you usually live in the UK.
If you are prohibited (disqualified) from driving while in Ireland, you may also be prohibited from driving in the UK.
Driving in europe
To travel by car in Europe, you can use your driver's license in the UK (GB) or Northern Ireland in all EU countries or in the European Economic Area (EEA), as well as in Switzerland.
If you are caught violating the law, for example, using a speed camera, authorities can obtain information about the registered vehicle keeper in DVLA.
There will be no change in the rights and status of UK citizens residing or traveling in the EU while the UK remains in the EU.
Contact an automotive organization such as AA or RAC for the rules of other European countries.
Driving outside the EU / EEA
You may need an international driving license to travel outside the EU / EEA. Consult AA.
You can get an international driver’s license directly from AA, at the RAC, or at the post office.
How to get MVP?
An international driver’s license costs £ 5.50 (approximately 440 rubles). In Russia, such rights will cost 1600 rubles, but if you submit an application through the official portal of the State Service, you can get a 30% discount and a total cost of 1120 rubles. When obtaining rights in the UK, you must meet the following criteria:
- be a resident of Great Britain or Northern Ireland;
- pass a driving test;
- be 18 or older.
AA and RAC have driving recommendations in certain countries, including information on required equipment.
Get a local license if you are moving abroad
If you are moving abroad, contact your local authorities to find out how to get a local driver’s license.
In some countries, you can exchange your UK license without passing another driving test.
If you are moving to another EU country, exchange your UK driver license for a license issued by that country.
If you return to the UK after exchanging your license, you can drive here for up to 12 months with a new license. It is also realistic to change it back if you return to the UK.
If the United Kingdom leaves the EU without a deal on March 29, 2019, you will not be able to exchange your driver’s license without passing another driving test.
Apply for an exchange of driver’s licenses as soon as possible to get them by March 29, 2019. You can find out the categories of driver’s license with decryption in the same place where you apply.
Is it possible to ride in Albania with the rights of Japan?
Yes, all international driving licenses (IDPs) issued in accordance with the 1949 Geneva Convention and the specific format. To legally drive a vehicle in Japan, you will need a driver’s license. The necessary documentation required for issuing a driver’s license does not depend on the citizenship of the driver, but depends on which country the driver’s license is issued in and which country the driver lives in.
Japan is only associated with the 1949 Geneva Convention, as is Albania. Therefore, if Albania issues an international driver's license (IDP) in accordance with this 1949 convention in the proper format, it is valid for driving in Japan. International Driving License (IDP), which does not comply with the 1949 convention in the proper format, is not valid in Japan.
- The certificate should be in the form of a small booklet, and not on a card or paper.
- Albania is required to re-recognize the agent or agency that issues the International Driving License (IDP).
- Classification must be from Ｅ ～ Ｅ
- Driver age 18 years or older. The validity of the international driver’s license is 1 year from the date of issue of the permit, as well as 1 year from the date of your arrival in Japan.
Categories of driver’s license with decoding that in Japan, that in Albania, are the same. Albania is linked to the 1968 Vienna Convention. Japan is not connected with this, which means that one cannot use certificates associated with this convention there. Any International Driving License (IDP) issued in accordance with the 1969 Vienna Convention is not valid for driving in Japan.
On the Internet, you can find a fake international driver's license, which appears as if it were valid in Japan. These fake international driver licenses are not valid for driving in Japan. Does Europe need international rights? Yes, they are, but UK rights can also be used. Beware of scammers!