To drive a car on the road in many countries / areas of the Middle East , you need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to accompany your local country driving license (eg - required for Dubai/UAE, Qatar, etc).

WHAT IS AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT?

An IDP is approximately the size of a standard passport and is esssentially a multiple language translation of one's own existing driver's license, complete with photograph and vital statistics. The International Driving Permit is not a license to operate a motor vehicle on its own.

The IDP is printed in several languages-the five official UN languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese) plus German, Arabic, Italian, the Scandinavian languages, and Portuguese. It is valid in all the signatory countries. In addition, many other countries that did not sign the treaty recognize the permit and accept it in their territories.

1949 CONVENTION:
The Geneva Convention on Road Traffic is accepted in a majority of the nations; major non-signatory countries include Germany, France, and Switzerland. Residents of the participating countries may obtain an International driving Permit for their international driving and car rental needs by contacting their local Automobile Authority.

MAKE SURE IT'S VALID:
The IDP validation lasts for 12 months from the date of issue, and according to the IDP Vienna Convention remain valid for 3 years. The IDP cannot be used in a country where the holder takes up residence.

People moving to Japan should ensure that they obtain a local Japanese driving license within 12 months of arriving in the country.

To find out who authorises IDPs in your country and how to obtain an official and legal International Driving Permi for your driving needs click here.

FALSE IDP:
The English speaking population have been targeted by online-ssams providing false-IDPs, often called "International Driving License". Beware. In the US only the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) and National Automobile Club (NAC) are authorised to issue IDPs. Other so-called IDPs are fraudulent and should be reported to proper authorities.

Countries where you require an International Driving Permit (important - information based on being a UK resident):

IDP 1926
Iraq IDP required
Somalia IDP required
Brazil Specific IDP conditions

IDP 1949 (key countries)
Bahrain Specific IDP conditions
Egypt IDP required
Iran IDP required
Israel IDP required for car hire
Jordan IDP required
Kuwait IDP required
Lebanon IDP recommended and required for car hire
Oman IDP required
Qatar IDP required
Saudi Arabia IDP recommended (women not permitted to drive)
United Arab Emirates IDP required
Yemen Required for car hire


IDP 1949 (full listing)
Afghanistan IDP required
Albania IDP required
Algeria IDP required
Angola IDP required if licence does not incorporate photo
Argentina IDP required
Armenia IDP required
Australia UK licence accepted but IDP recommended
Bahrain Specific IDP conditions
Bangladesh UK licence accepted but IDP recommended
Belarus Specific IDP conditions
Benin IDP required
Bhutan IDP required
Bolivia IDP required
Brunei Possibly required for car hire
Bulgaria IDP required
Burkina Faso IDP recommended
Cambodia (Kampuchea) IDP required
Canada IDP recommended
Cape Verde IDP recommended
Central African Republic IDP required
Chad IDP required
Chile IDP required
Colombia IDP required
Comoros IDP required
Congo (Democratic Republic of) IDP required
Congo (Republic of) IDP recommended
Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) IDP required if licence does not incorporate photo
Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles) IDP required
Czech Republic IDP required if licence does not incorporate photo
Dominican Republic IDP required if licence does not incorporate photo
Egypt IDP required
Equatorial Guinea IDP required
Eritrea IDP required
Gabon IDP required if licence does not incorporate photo
Georgia IDP required if licence does not incorporate photo
Ghana IDP recommended, and may be required for car hire
Guam IDP required
Guinea Bissau IDP recommended
Guinea Republic IDP recommended
Haiti IDP recommended
Hong Kong IDP recommended
Hungary Specific IDP conditions
Iceland Specific IDP conditions
India IDP required
Indonesia Specific IDP conditions
Iran IDP required
Israel IDP required for car hire
Italy Specific IDP conditions
Japan IDP required
Jordan IDP required
Kenya IDP recommended
Korea (South) IDP required
Kuwait IDP required
Kyrgyzstan IDP recommended and required for car hire
Laos IDP recommended
Lebanon IDP recommended and required for car hire
Lesotho IDP recommended
Macao (Macau) IDP required
Mozambique IDP recommended
Myanmar (Burma) Specific IDP conditions
Namibia IDP recommended and required for car hire
Nepal Specific IDP conditions
Nigeria IDP required
Oman IDP required
Pakistan IDP required
Peru IDP required for stays longer than 30 days
Philippines Required for car hire
Portugal Specific IDP conditions
Qatar IDP required
Romania Specific IDP conditions
Russian Federation IDP required
Rwanda Specific IDP conditions
Sao Tome and Principe IDP recommended
Sabah (Malaysia) IDP required
Saudi Arabia IDP recommended (women not permitted to drive)
Senegal Specific IDP conditions
Sierra Leone IDP required
Slovakia Required for car hire
Slovenia Specific IDP conditions
South Africa Specific IDP conditions
Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles) Specific IDP conditions
Sri Lanka Specific IDP conditions
Sudan IDP recommended
Surinam IDP required
Swaziland IDP required if licence does not incorporate photo
Syria IDP required
Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) IDP required
Tanzania IDP recommended
Thailand IDP required
Togo IDP recommended
Tunisia IDP required if licence does not incorporate photo
Turkey IDP required for stays longer than 90 days
Ukraine IDP required
United Arab Emirates IDP required
USA IDP recommended
Vietnam Specific IDP conditions
Yemen Required for car hire
Zambia IDP recommended
Zimbabwe Specific IDP conditions