International Driving Permit for Australian licence holders
How to get an International Driving Permit if your driving licence was issued in Australia.
Australians drive on the left at home, which makes a right-hand-drive destination the easier trip and Europe the adjustment. Whichever way you are going, allow real time to adapt before taking on a city.
The official route from Australia
Under the UN Road Traffic Conventions, an officially issued International Driving Permit can only be obtained in the country that issued your national licence, from a body that country's government has authorised. In Australia that is the state and territory automobile clubs — NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, RACT and AANT.
Use that route if you have been told specifically that you need a government-recognised IDP, or if you are dealing with a licensing authority. It is the document with formal standing under the Conventions.
What we provide instead
Our service is a certified translation of your existing Australian licence into 12 languages, laid out in the format described by the Conventions and carried alongside the original. It is not a licence, it is not government-issued, and it does not replace your Australian licence.
What it does solve is the everyday problem: a rental agent or traffic officer who cannot read your licence can read the translation. It arrives digitally within minutes and you can order it from anywhere, including after you have already travelled.
What you need
- Your valid Australian driving licence — expired licences cannot be translated.
- A recent passport-style photograph on a plain background.
- To be 18 or older. No driving test is required.
- Your travel dates, so you can choose a sensible validity period.