An international driving license is essential for many trips outside the EU. If you want to enjoy the freedom of exploring the country on your own with a rental car, scooter, or camper, you will usually need an international driving license.

It serves as an important supplement to your national driving license and is often a prerequisite for driving abroad without problems. So, before you get behind the wheel and conquer the roads of a foreign country, you should make sure you have all the necessary documents – and the international driving license is one of the most important.

We’ll answer the following questions:

• What is an international driving license?
• Why do I need an international driving license?
• How do I apply for an international driving license?
• How much does an international driving license cost?
• How long does it take to get an international driving license?
• For which country do I need an international driving license?

1. What is an international driving license?

An international driving license is essentially a translation of your national driving license into several languages and is used as an additional document to your regular driving license. It is intended to make it easier for police officers and rental car companies abroad to verify whether you are authorized to drive the booked car and the class.

It is not valid as a standalone driver’s license, but supplements the national driver’s license. The international driver’s license is generally valid for up to three years or until the national driver’s license expires.

The international driver’s license is recognized in many countries, but not all. Some countries (especially outside the EU) have specific requirements or only accept certain formats.

2. Do I need an international driver’s license?

Whether you need an international driver’s license depends on several factors. If you are planning a trip within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA), you generally do not need an international driver’s license. Your German driver’s license is sufficient.

Only for Albania, Russia, and Moldova does the ADAC recommend an international driving license in addition to a German driving license. We’ve never had to present an IFS within the EU.

In non-EU countries, especially in Asia, Africa, Australia, and North America, an international driving license is required in addition to your national driving license. Car rental companies, in particular, ask for it to ensure that you are legally authorized to drive in their country.

We haven’t had many police checks on any of our trips so far. In South Africa, Botswana, Jordan, Oman, and also Indonesia (especially on scooters/mopeds), we were stopped several times and had to show our international driving license. We cannot say whether this is generally required at every stop.

In Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, etc.), the international driving license was often essential during traffic checks. Some countries have special regulations that require an international driving license to avoid traffic fines or problems during checks.

3. How and where do I apply for an international driver’s license?

Applying for an international driver’s license is not complicated at all. Simply make an appointment at the driver’s license office in your area. In some cities, you can also apply online.

You will need the following documents for the application:

• Identity card or passport (with proof of residence if applicable)
• Valid driver’s license
• Current biometric photo (45 x 35 mm, portrait format, frontal shot)
• Debit/EC card (often only card payments are accepted)

Processing time for an international driver’s license

You can usually pick up your international driver’s license directly from the location. If you apply online, it can take 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the authority.

Please note:If you still have your old paper driver’s license, it will be exchanged for an EU card driver’s license when you apply for the international driver’s license. However, this may extend the processing time even further!

Cost of the international driver’s license

The price depends on the region. Typically, you pay between €15 and €20 (plus shipping for online applications). We also had a certified translation of our driver’s license prepared by Lingoking*. This officially translated copy is valid for as long as the driver’s license itself. The cost was approximately €50.

Validity of the International Driver’s License

In Germany, the international driver’s license is valid for 3 years.

4. Popular Travel Destinations

Before your trip, check which countries require or recognize an international driver’s license to avoid problems on site. You can read the regulations for each country on the Federal Foreign Office website.

Our Conclusion

You don’t always need an international driver’s license, but we still recommend one for trips outside the EU. It’s inexpensive, quick to apply for, and prevents problems with traffic controls in an emergency. It also facilitates communication with local authorities and is often an important prerequisite for renting a vehicle in many countries.