What an International Driving Permit Actually Is
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your Australian driver's licence into ten languages. It is not a separate licence — it works only alongside your valid Australian licence, and you must carry both when you drive overseas. The permit lets police and car rental companies in other countries read your licence details without needing a translator.
Australia recognises two types of IDP: the 1926 Convention permit (valid for one year) and the 1968 Convention permit (valid for three years). Most countries accept either one, though a few prefer the 1968 version. You choose which type when you order, based on how long you plan to drive overseas.
The permit costs money and takes time to arrive by post, so order it before you travel — ideally four to six weeks ahead. You cannot use an IDP to drive in Australia, and it does not override local traffic laws or insurance requirements in the country where you are driving.
Key Takeaways
- An International Driving Permit is a translation document that must be carried with your Australian licence when driving overseas.
- You order an IDP through the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) in your state or territory, not through a central national office.
- The 1968 Convention permit lasts three years and costs more than the 1926 permit, which lasts one year.
- Processing takes two to four weeks by standard post, so order well before your travel date.
- An IDP does not replace travel insurance, vehicle registration, or local driving rules in the country where you are driving.
Which State or Territory Issues Your Permit
You order your IDP from the roads authority in the state or territory where your Australian licence is issued, not from a national office. If your licence was issued in New South Wales, you order from Service NSW. If it was issued in Victoria, you order from VicRoads. Each state and territory has its own issuing body and its own ordering process.
Check the back of your Australian licence to see which state or territory issued it — that is the authority you contact. The authority's website will show you the current cost, processing time, and whether you can order online or by mail. Some states allow online ordering with payment by credit card; others require a postal process form and a cheque or money order.
Do not contact the authority in the state where you are currently living if your licence was issued elsewhere. The system is tied to the issuing state, and sending your process to the wrong office will delay it.
Documents You Need to Order an IDP
You will need your valid Australian driver's licence and proof of identity. Most states accept a passport, birth certificate, or proof of age card as identity proof. Some states also ask for proof of your current address — a recent utility bill, rental agreement, or bank statement usually works.
If you are ordering by post, you typically send photocopies of these documents along with a completed process form. If you are ordering online, you upload scans or photos of the documents. Check your state's roads authority website for the exact list of accepted documents and the format they need — requirements vary slightly between states.
You do not need to provide a new photograph. The IDP uses the photograph already on your Australian licence.
How to Order Online or by Post
Most Australian states now offer online ordering through their roads authority website. Go to the website for your licence-issuing state, search for "International Driving Permit", and follow the link to the ordering page. You will upload a scan or clear photo of your licence and identity document, choose which Convention type you want (1926 or 1968), and pay by credit or debit card. The permit is then posted to your address.
If your state does not offer online ordering, or if you prefer to order by post, read the process form from the same website. Print it, fill it out by hand or on a computer, attach photocopies of your licence and identity proof, and mail it with a cheque or money order to the address shown on the form. Include your current mailing address so the permit arrives at the right place.
Keep a record of your order — a confirmation email if you ordered online, or a copy of the form and receipt if you posted it. You will need this if you need to follow up on a delayed permit.
Processing Time and Cost
Standard processing takes two to four weeks from the date your process is received. Some states offer express processing for an extra fee, which can reduce this to five to ten business days. Check your state's website for the current cost and express options — prices and timeframes vary by state and change periodically.
The permit arrives by standard post to the address you provided on your process. If you need it urgently and your travel date is very soon, contact your state's roads authority directly to ask whether they can process your process faster or whether you can collect it in person from an office.
If your permit does not arrive within the stated timeframe, contact the issuing authority with your order reference number. Delays do happen, especially during busy travel seasons, but the authority can check the status and reissue if needed.
Using Your IDP When You Travel
Carry your IDP and your Australian licence together at all times when driving overseas. Police, car rental staff, and parking inspectors will want to see both documents. The IDP is useless without the licence, and the licence alone may not be understood by officials in countries that do not speak English.
Check the entry requirements for the country you are visiting before you travel. Some countries require an IDP by law; others accept it but do not require it. A few countries have their own separate permit systems and do not recognise an IDP at all. Your travel insurance provider or the embassy website for your destination country can tell you what is required.
The IDP does not override local traffic laws, speed limits, or vehicle registration requirements. You are still responsible for following the rules of the road in the country where you are driving, and you still need appropriate travel and vehicle insurance.
What to Do If Your IDP Is Lost or Damaged
If your permit is lost, stolen, or damaged while you are overseas, contact your country's embassy or consulate. They can issue a temporary letter confirming your driving status, which some car rental companies and police will accept in place of the original permit. This is not a replacement IDP, but it may help you continue driving until you return to Australia.
When you return to Australia, contact the roads authority that issued your permit and request a replacement. You will need to provide the same documents as you did for the original process, plus an explanation of what happened to the lost or damaged permit. A replacement usually costs less than a new permit and takes the same processing time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in New Zealand or other nearby countries?
New Zealand, Fiji, and several other countries in the region accept an Australian licence without an IDP, though an IDP can be helpful if the local police are unfamiliar with Australian documents. Check the specific country's entry requirements before you travel — requirements change, and some countries now require an IDP where they did not before.
Can I get an International Driving Permit if my Australian licence is suspended or expired?
No. Your Australian licence must be valid and current. If your licence is suspended, expired, or cancelled, you cannot order an IDP. Renew or restore your Australian licence first through your state's roads authority, then order the IDP.
What is the difference between the 1926 and 1968 Convention permits?
The 1926 permit lasts one year and costs less. The 1968 permit lasts three years and costs more. Both are widely accepted overseas. Choose based on how often you travel internationally — if you drive overseas regularly, the three-year permit is better value; if you travel once every few years, the one-year permit is cheaper.
Can I order an International Driving Permit for someone else?
No. The person who holds the Australian licence must order the IDP themselves or authorise someone to submit the process on their behalf. Some states allow a family member or friend to post the process, but the licence holder's signature is required on the form.
Will my International Driving Permit work if I am driving someone else's car overseas?
Yes, as long as you are the licensed driver and you have permission from the car's owner. The IDP is tied to your licence, not to a specific vehicle. You still need to follow the rental agreement or the owner's insurance requirements, and you must carry both your IDP and Australian licence.