Issuing country
Obtain any permit from the authorised body linked to the driver's home licence before travel.
Booking decision guide
International driving permits and rental cars
Check the destination rule for your actual licence, then the chosen rental supplier's document rule. An international driving permit supplements a valid licence; it does not replace one.
Updated
Plan the tripReady to compare cars?
Decision
Does the destination, licence language and supplier require an additional permit?
Read
Supplier terms before payment
Keep
Voucher, agreement and condition photos
Final source
The selected rental contract
Make this decision before comparing prices
The answer depends on who issued the driver's licence, its language and the country to be driven in. A UK photocard holder, for example, can have different European requirements from a holder of a paper licence. Check the destination authority and authorised issuing body before buying a permit.
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Destination rule
Check the current government or road authority requirement for the exact licence held.
Supplier rule
Read the selected company's licence and translation requirements before payment.
Read the conditions behind the result
An international driving permit has different convention versions. The country visited determines which version may be recognised, and a multi-country trip can require more than one. Keep the original valid licence with it and verify any translation accepted by the rental branch.
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Authorised issuer
Check the official issuing authority for the licence's country, not a commercial site selling a document with a similar name.
Permit or translation needed
Use destination government guidance for the permit or translation needed for this licence and length of stay.
Rental branch conditions
Check the selected branch's licence, age and card conditions separately from the destination's road rule.
Avoid the common comparison mistakes
Do not confuse road-law permission with collection eligibility. The selected supplier may ask for a physical licence, minimum holding period, identity document and payment card in the named driver's name. Confirm these before choosing the rate.
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Unofficial document
Buying an unofficial document from a website that is not an authorised issuing body.
Original licence missing
Travelling with the permit but leaving the original licence at home.
One rule for every country
Assuming one rule applies to every country, licence language or rental supplier.
Use a simple evidence trail
Carry the original documents to the desk and keep a copy of the selected licence terms. If the branch rejects a document, ask for the specific requirement and contact the booking support channel before accepting a different rate or abandoning the pickup.
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Save document rules
Save the official rule and supplier document clause for the actual trip countries and driver.
Bring original documents
Bring the physical original licence and any valid required permit or translation to collection.
Record a refusal
Keep a written record if the branch requests a different document or refuses handover.
Check the exact arrival-country documents
A permit rule depends on the licence held and the destination. These airport examples show why the original licence, any required permit or translation, and the selected rental company's terms need separate checks.
Doha: entitlement before the counter
At Hamad Airport, the right to drive depends on the visitor's actual licence and status. Check the official Qatar rule for that driver and the selected supplier's document list before paying; an airport counter cannot cure missing entitlement.
Plan Doha Airport collectionColombo: prepare the local driving authority
For a UK visitor, a 1949 international driving permit, Sri Lankan recognition permit and original UK licence form separate parts of the self-drive check. Arrange the recognition step before treating a CMB reservation as usable; other licence holders should confirm their own process.
Check Colombo Airport documentsBali: an overseas licence is not the whole check
For a UK licence holder, the UK licence alone is not valid for driving in Indonesia. Confirm the correct permit and the selected rental company's acceptance before planning a self-drive first day from DPS.
Review Bali Airport self-driveCuraçao: check the licence script
A visitor with a licence outside the Roman alphabet should check whether an international permit or translation is needed before Hato collection. The named driver still needs the original valid licence and the selected supplier's acceptance.
Check Curaçao Airport documentsBen Gurion: match the permit to the driver
Check the current Israel rule for the exact foreign licence, plus the booked supplier's permit requirement, before collecting at Ben Gurion. A valid passport or airport arrival does not replace a required driving document.
Check Ben Gurion documentsZanzibar: settle the particular driver’s entitlement
Before collecting at ZNZ, check the driver’s licence-issuing country, permitted vehicle class and length of stay against Zanzibar’s requirements. The supplier’s document acceptance is a separate check. Arrange any required local licence or permit before the handover rather than assuming a mainland Tanzania rental rule settles the island position.
Prepare documents for Zanzibar AirportQuestions to settle before booking
Use the answers to identify the checks that matter. Check the selected supplier terms and current local rules before booking.
Does an international driving permit replace my licence?
No. Carry the original valid licence too, and confirm that the destination and rental branch accept the required permit version.
Is one permit valid in every country?
No. Recognition can differ by country and convention version. Verify every destination on a multi-country route.
Where should I obtain a permit?
Use the authorised body linked to the licence's issuing country and check the destination requirement before applying.