What is an International Driving Permit and does Spain require an International Driving Permit? Is an International Driving Licence the same as an International Driving Permit?
By Nick Nutter | Updated 1 Aug 2023 | Andalucia | Living In Andalucia |
Login to add to YOUR Favourites 
or Read Later
First of all, to clear up a popular misconception: an International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a Driving Licence, it is not an International Driving Licence although it is often (wrongly) referred to as such. There is no such thing as an International Driving Licence.
Back in 1968, a number of countries came to an agreement that citizens of those countries could drive in cooperating countries using their own driving licences. Over the years other countries signed up to the agreement and there are now 67 contracting countries where licences are issued in accordance with Annex 9 of the Geneva Convention or with Annex 6 of the Vienna Convention.
The EU and EEA countries are all on the exception list so tourists from the EU or EEA countries only need the driving licence issued in their own country in order to drive in Spain, subject to any age restrictions for the class of vehicle they are driving.
The International Driving Permit (IDP) is a translation of your driving licence into Spanish and several other languages. It is not a substitute for a driving licence. You must carry your original driving licence along with your IDP when driving in Spain.
You do not have to take any driving test, practical or written, to obtain an International Driving Permit.
The International Driving Permit is valid for 12 months. However, if you remain in Spain for a period of six months or over, then you should exchange your original driving licence for a Spanish driving licence.
The UK is a signatory on the Vienna Convention List. However, there is a grey area if the UK driving licence is an old type that does not carry a photo of the holder. Spain and HMG recommend that drivers who have a non-photo license in English to obtain an IDP prior to arriving in Spain. This driving permit is a requirement to drive in Spain, and without the permit, you could face punishment if stopped by law enforcement officials while driving.
If you are the holder of a Spanish driving licence, then you must apply for an International Driving Permit if you intend to drive in a country that is not on the Vienna Convention list (link above and below).
There are currently three types of International Driving Permit issued to UK licence holders: the 1926, 1949 and 1968 permits. The type of permit depends on the country you will be driving in. Before renting a car and driving to other European countries, check out which type of IDP permit you would need.
Click here to go the gov.uk for a list of countries and type of IDP required.
How to apply for an International Driving Permit depends upon which country you are in. Some countries allow you to apply online, others require you to present yourself at a post office, others allow motoring organisations and clubs to issue IDPs.
The easiest way to find out how you apply in your country is to type 'how do i apply for an international driving permit in (your country)' in a search engine.
Several Traffico Offices now allow you to make an on line application for your International Driving Permit if you have a digital certificate or Cl@ve. Over 65's can then present themselves at their Traffico Office (that may be in the provincial capital city), clutching two passport sized photographs, two days after the application, in order to pick up their permit.
It is also possible to make an appointment and present yourself at your Traffico Office in person with the correct documentation (read on).
Under 65's must first make an appointment in order to pick up or personally apply for the permit.
Again, this depends on which country is issuing the IDP. As of 2022, in the UK an IDP costs £5.50, in the United States it costs $15, in Australia an IDP costs $42, in Canada $25, plus the cost of photographs and, if applicable, postage. In Spain an International Driving Permit costs 10.51 Euros (2022).
An International Driving Permit is valid for 12 months.
Click this link to go to the SEDE DGT website.
After you have logged on to your DGT account, you will see two download forms at the bottom right of the page: 'Application Form for the International Permit' and 'Informative Note'. You are advised to complete this form in duplicate and take it with you to Traffico when you go for your appointment whether you have applied online or are applying in person.
You should also take your Spanish Driving Licence, your empadronamiento and your TIE whether you have applied on line or are applying in person.
Applying online will not work if you use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, use Safari, Firefox or Mozilla.
An IDP is a helpful form of identification, even if you do not intend to drive when you travel abroad. IDPs are officially sanctioned by the United Nations and accepted worldwide (in over 150 countries) as a recognisable form of identification.
When you log in to your DGT account, you will see information about you, your licence, any fines you have or have not paid and the number of points on your licence. Do not be disturbed if you see that you have 12, 13, 14 or 15 points.
The Spanish do things a little differently to the UK. You automatically start off with 12 points on your licence. If you incur no penalties during a period of one year, then you are awarded one point up to a maximum of 15. If you have 15 points. then you can pat yourself on the back. Points are deducted for various offences, speeding, not wearing a seat belt, using a mobile phone whilst driving etc. If you have 0 points then you are out, banned, not allowed to drive.
No matter what you think about the pros and cons of the IDP, whether you think you should be exempt from having to have one or not, your thoughts do not matter. It is what the Guardia think that matters and it is just not worth a 250 Euro fine to argue the toss with them.
Whether or not you require an International Driving Permit to drive in Spain, please be aware that you should also have, in the vehicle:
With your IDP on hand, you can easily rent a car in Spain for your travels. The price of renting a car will depend on when you're visiting, the location, and the duration of rental but generally speaking, it is relatively cheap compared to other European countries and it's cost-effective when you're travelling as a family or group.
You can use a car rental comparison platform like Discover Cars to compare prices and find the best deals.
Simply input your travel dates and location below to check prices!
For list of countries that DO NOT need an International Driving Permit to drive in Spain, click here
© Visit-Andalucia 2015 - 2023
Using Motor homes, Camper vans and Caravans
Diesel and Petrol Prices in Andalucia
Low Emission Zones
