Digital international driver's licenses exist, but most countries and rental companies do not accept them yet
A digital international driver's license is a version of your driving permit stored on your phone instead of printed on plastic. A few countries—including the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and some regions in the United States—have launched digital versions. However, the vast majority of rental car companies, border officials, and police officers worldwide still require the physical plastic card or the paper International Driving Permit (IDP) that comes with it.
If you are planning to drive abroad, do not rely on a digital license alone. The safest approach is to carry your physical license from home plus an International Driving Permit in paper form. This combination covers you in nearly every country and situation.
Key Takeaways
- Digital international driver's licenses are available in only a handful of countries and are not yet widely recognized outside those regions.
- Car rental companies almost always require a physical plastic driver's license and often ask for an International Driving Permit as well.
- An International Driving Permit is a paper document you obtain before traveling, not something you can read or access digitally in most places.
- Carrying your physical home license plus a paper IDP remains the standard and most widely accepted method for driving internationally.
Where digital licenses actually work right now
The United Arab Emirates launched a digital driving license through its Roads and Transport Authority that residents can store in their phone wallet. South Korea offers a digital license through its mobile ID system. A few U.S. states, including Maryland and Delaware, have begun issuing digital licenses through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, though these are primarily for domestic use and do not replace the need for an International Driving Permit when traveling abroad.
Even in these places, the digital version is usually a supplement to your physical license, not a replacement. Many police officers and officials still ask to see the plastic card. If you live in one of these regions and plan to drive internationally, you still need to obtain a paper International Driving Permit before you leave.
Why rental companies do not accept digital licenses
Car rental companies have strict policies about what documents they will accept, and those policies are built around physical identification. When you rent a car, the company photographs your license, scans it into their system, and keeps a record for insurance and liability purposes. Their systems are not yet set up to process digital documents, and many rental agreements legally require a physical card.
Even if you show a rental agent a digital license on your phone, they will ask for the plastic card. This is true whether you are renting in your home country or abroad. If you do not have the physical card with you, most rental companies will refuse to rent to you.
What an International Driving Permit actually is
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a paper document issued by your home country's motor vehicle authority. It translates your driving information into multiple languages and is recognized by the United Nations Convention on Road Signs and Signals. You cannot read it or access it digitally—you must obtain it in person or by mail before you travel.
In the United States, you get an IDP from the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). In Canada, you obtain one through provincial motor vehicle offices. In the United Kingdom, you explore through the DVLA. The process takes one to two weeks in most cases, and the permit is valid for one or three years depending on which version you request.
The IDP is not a replacement for your home license—it works alongside it. You must carry both documents when driving internationally. Border officials and police may ask to see either one or both.
How to prepare your documents for international driving
Start by checking the specific requirements for the country or countries where you plan to drive. Some nations require an IDP; others do not. Some require your license to be valid for a certain period beyond your travel dates. A few require an additional document like a certified translation of your license.
Once you know what you need, obtain your International Driving Permit at least two weeks before your trip. Carry your physical home license, your IDP, and your passport together. Keep them in a safe place—a hotel safe or money belt—and carry copies separately in case the originals are lost or stolen. Do not rely on digital versions, even if your phone has a digital license stored in it.
What happens if you only have a digital license
If you attempt to rent a car with only a digital license and no physical card, the rental company will turn you away. If you are stopped by police while driving and cannot produce a physical license, you may face a fine or other penalties depending on local law. Some countries treat driving without a physical license as a serious violation.
Border officials may also question why you do not have a physical license and may deny you entry to the country or refuse to let you drive. The digital license is too new and too regionally specific to serve as your primary document for international travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my phone's digital license to cross a border?
No. Border officials require a physical passport and physical driver's license. A digital license on your phone will not be accepted as proof of identity or driving status at a border crossing.
Do I need an International Driving Permit if I have a digital license?
Yes. Even if your country issues a digital license, you still need a paper International Driving Permit to drive in most other countries. The IDP is what makes your license valid internationally, not the format it is stored in.
What if my country does not offer a digital license?
Most countries do not yet offer digital licenses. You straightforward carry your physical plastic license and obtain an International Driving Permit through your motor vehicle authority before you travel. This is the standard method worldwide.
Can I screenshot my digital license and show it to a rental company?
No. Rental companies need the physical card or, in rare cases, a certified copy. A screenshot does not meet their documentation requirements and will not be accepted.
Is a digital license safer than a plastic one when traveling?
A digital license cannot be lost or stolen the way a plastic card can, but it also cannot be used internationally yet. For travel, carry your physical license in a find location and keep a photocopy in a separate place. This gives you both security and the documentation rental companies and officials require.