An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a translation of your Irish driving licence that some countries outside the EU and EEA ask to see, alongside your normal licence, before you get behind the wheel. It doesn’t replace your licence, and it isn’t needed everywhere, so the first thing to work out is whether your trip requires one.
AA Ireland no longer issues International Driving Permits
AA Ireland has discontinued its International Driving Permit service. International Driving Permits in Ireland are now issued by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS).
If you need an IDP, you'll need to apply directly through the NDLS. Don't worry - it's a straightforward process once you know where to go.
Apply for an International Driving Permit through the NDLS → www.ndls.ie
We’re keeping this guide up because the questions people search for, what an IDP is, whether they need one, how much it costs, are all still worth answering. We’ve just pointed you to the right place to get one.
What is an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit is an official translation of your Irish or EU/EEA driving licence, recognised by authorities in most countries worldwide. It sits alongside your normal licence rather than replacing it, so you’ll still need to carry your own driving licence when you travel and produce it if asked, for example when hiring a car abroad.
Think of it as a translation booklet rather than a separate qualification. It confirms, in several languages, that you hold a valid driving licence at home, which makes it easier for police or car hire staff overseas to check your details.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
If you’re driving within the EU or EEA, you don’t need an IDP. Your Irish driving licence is valid on its own across all EU and EEA member states.
Outside the EU/EEA, whether you need one depends entirely on where you’re going. Some countries require an IDP for any visiting driver, others accept an Irish licence on its own, and requirements can change. The safest approach is to check the entry and driving requirements for your specific destination with the relevant embassy or consulate before you travel, rather than assume last year’s rules still apply.
If most of your driving is closer to home, our Driving in Europe guide covers what else to check before a European road trip, from licence validity to insurance cover.
Where can I get an International Driving Permit in Ireland?
AA Ireland no longer processes or issues IDPs. Applications are now handled entirely by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), the body responsible for driving licences in Ireland.
You can apply in person at any NDLS centre. There’s no online application for an IDP and no walk-in service, so you’ll need to book an appointment first. Full details, including the current list of centres and the application form, are on the NDLS International Driving Permit page.
How to apply for an International Driving Permit
The NDLS process is straightforward, but it does need a bit of planning since everything happens by appointment. Here’s how it works:
- Book an appointment. Call the NDLS on 0818 919 090 to arrange a time and location at your chosen centre.
- Complete the application form. Download the IDP application form from the NDLS website and fill it in ahead of your appointment (you’ll leave two sections for the NDLS staff to complete on the day).
- Bring your driving licence. You’ll need your valid full Irish or EU/EEA driving licence.
- Bring a passport-sized photograph. One is required for the permit itself.
- Bring proof of address, if it applies. This is only needed if the address on your licence doesn’t match your current address, or if you hold an EU/EEA licence and live in Ireland. A recent domestic bill showing your address will do, though it’s worth checking the NDLS site for the exact time window they’ll accept it from.
- Pay the application fee on the day. Card payment only, no cash.
- Attend your appointment. Staff will process your application and issue the permit.
Apply with enough time before you travel. IDPs can’t be backdated, and the NDLS can only issue a permit up to three months ahead of your travel date.
Who can apply for an International Driving Permit?
You can apply if you’re an Irish resident with a valid full Irish driving licence, or if you hold an EU/EEA driving licence and are a permanent resident in Ireland.
A few groups can’t apply. Learner permit holders aren’t eligible, since an IDP can only be issued against a full licence. Non-EU/EEA licence holders can’t get an Irish IDP either, even if they’re resident here. If your licence has an active driving ban, an IDP won’t be issued until that’s resolved.
If you hold an EU/EEA licence from outside Ireland and you’re applying based on Irish residency, you’ll need to show proof of address alongside your application, as outlined above.
How much does an International Driving Permit cost?
The fee for an International Driving Permit is €15, payable by card only on the day of your appointment. This is correct at the time of writing, but fees can change, so it’s worth checking the NDLS fees page before you go.
How long does an International Driving Permit last?
An IDP is valid for one year from the date it’s issued. There’s one catch: if your own driving licence expires sooner than that, your IDP expires with it. You’ll need at least three months left on your driving licence at the time you apply.
You can only be issued one IDP per licence per year, unless you’re replacing a lost or stolen one. In that case, you’ll need to include a Garda report of the loss with your new application.
What types of International Driving Permit are available?
There are two versions issued in Ireland, and which one you need depends on where you’re travelling.
1949 Convention IDP
This is the standard permit, and the one most Irish driver will need. It’s recognised in the vast majority of countries that require an IDP.
1926 Convention IDP
This older version is needed for a small number of destinations, including Brazil, Iraq, Nigeria and Somalia, where the 1949 version isn’t recognised.
If you’re not sure which one applies to your trip, the NDLS can advise you when you apply, or you can check directly with the embassy of the country you’re visiting.
Do I need an IDP to drive in Europe?
No. If you’re driving within the EU or EEA, including popular road trip destinations like France, Spain, Germany and Italy, your Irish driving licence is enough on its own. An IDP isn’t required for these journeys.
It’s once you head further afield, outside the EU/EEA, that an IDP may come into play. For everything else worth checking before a European trip, from breakdown cover to insurance documents, have a look at our Driving in Europe guide.
What if my IDP was issued by AA Ireland?
If you already have an IDP that AA Ireland issued before the service was discontinued, don’t worry, it’s still valid. Existing AA-issued IDPs remain in effect until their printed expiry date. There’s nothing you need to do with an existing permit.
It’s only new applications that have moved. If your current IDP is due to expire and you need a new one, that application now goes through the NDLS, not AA Ireland.
What should I check before driving abroad?
An IDP is just one item on a longer checklist for driving outside Ireland. Before you travel, it’s worth going through the following:
- Your driving licence. Make sure it’s valid for the full length of your trip, and check it won’t expire while you’re away.
- Whether you need an IDP. Confirm this against your specific destination rather than assuming, since requirements vary by country.
- Motor insurance. Check your policy covers you to drive abroad and for how long, as cover can be time-limited even when it’s included.
- Local driving laws. Speed limits, drink-driving limits and right-of-way rules can all differ from what you’re used to at home.
- Required vehicle equipment. Some countries expect you to carry items like a warning triangle, high-vis vest or breathalyser kits.
- Breakdown cover. If your car breaks down abroad, you’ll want to know help is on the way. Our European Breakdown Cover gives you 24-hour English-speaking assistance across more than 40 European countries.
- Car rental documentation. Hire companies abroad will usually want to see your driving licence and may ask for an IDP, even where it isn’t strictly a legal requirement.
- Tolls and emissions zones. Several European countries operate toll roads or low-emission zones that need a pass, sticker or online registration before you drive through.
Taking a few minutes to work through this list before you set off is a lot less stressful than sorting it out at a border or a car rental desk. If you’re also thinking about cover for the trip itself, medical costs, cancellations and lost luggage, our Travel Insurance is worth a look too.
