International driving reference
Drive Smarter.
Drive Anywhere.
Your practical guide to international driving rules, licence requirements and driving costs. Start with the three questions that decide almost everything.
Checked against structured rules for 30 countries.
Check requirementsStart here
Popular countries
The destinations international drivers ask about most often. Each profile covers 15 practical areas, from speed limits to licence exchange.
Licence checker
Find out what you actually need to drive
Choose your licensing country and destination. We combine the destination's published rules on recognition, IDPs, translations and residency to give you a clear checklist.
30
Country profiles
3
Planning tools
15
Data points per country
30
In-depth guides
Driving rules
Rules around the world
Traffic law is local. These are the areas where visitors most often get caught out.
Speed limits and road signs
Urban, rural and motorway limits, plus the sign conventions that trip up visiting drivers.
Read the rules →Seat belts and child restraints
Who is responsible, when a booster is required, and where the rules are stricter than they first appear.
Read the rules →Drink-driving and mobile phones
BAC thresholds, zero-tolerance countries and the penalties for holding a phone at the lights.
Read the rules →Parking, tolls and fines
Low-emission zones, disc parking, electronic tolls and the fines that arrive by post months later.
Read the rules →International Driving Permit
A translation document, not a second licence
An IDP restates your home licence in ten languages and confirms that it is valid. It is issued by motoring organisations in your country of residence, usually for one year, and it cannot compensate for a licence that is not recognised.
- Required for visitors in countries such as Japan and Indonesia.
- Accepted but optional in much of Europe and North America.
- Never accepted as a substitute for a suspended or expired licence.
Quick comparison
| Country | Visitor period | IDP |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 12 months | Required |
| United Kingdom | 12 months | Accepted |
| United States | 12 months | Accepted |
| Germany | 6 months | Accepted |
| Thailand | 12 months | Accepted |
Figures refer to short visitor stays and are explained in full on each country page.
Driving costs
What a licence costs in six markets
Official test fees are only part of the picture. Driving school packages usually dominate the total.
| Country | Currency | Driving school | Official fees | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | USD | $300–$900 for a private driving school package | $20–$50 theory · $20–$100 road test | $350–$1,200 |
| United Kingdom | GBP | £25–£40 per hour; most learners spend £500–£1,200 on lessons | £23 theory · £62 on weekdays, £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays road test | £900–£2,000 |
| Germany | EUR | €1,500–€2,500 for 12–20 lessons | €25–€60 theory · €120–€250 road test | €1,800–€3,000 |
| Japan | JPY | ¥250,000–¥350,000 for a standard course | ¥1,500–¥2,000 per attempt theory · ¥1,500–¥4,000 per attempt road test | ¥250,000–¥350,000 |
| Australia | AUD | AUD 800–1,500 for a package of professional lessons | AUD 40–60 theory · AUD 60–250 including the test-day vehicle hire road test | AUD 1,000–2,000 |
| Singapore | SGD | SGD 1,500–2,500 | SGD 6–20 per test theory · SGD 100–300 including vehicle rental road test | SGD 1,700–2,800 |
Estimates in local currency. School prices vary by city and by the number of lessons required.
Latest guides
Original research and practical explainers
Long-form answers to the questions that come up before an international move or road trip.
FAQ
Common questions
Short answers to the questions readers send most often.
Is my home licence valid in another country?+
It depends on the destination and on your status there. Most countries accept a valid foreign licence for tourists for a limited period, commonly three to twelve months. Some require an International Driving Permit as well, and a few do not recognise certain national licences at all. Use the licence checker for a country-by-country result.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?+
An IDP is a translation and verification document, not a licence in its own right. It is mandatory in countries such as Japan and Indonesia for many visitors, optional but useful elsewhere, and irrelevant in countries that simply recognise your home licence. It must be issued in the country that issued your licence.
How long can I drive abroad before I need a local licence?+
Visitor periods usually run from three to twelve months from your date of entry. Once you become a resident, a shorter deadline typically applies, often 30–90 days in the United States or up to twelve months in parts of Europe. Our country pages state the published period and flag where the rule varies by state or province.
Can I exchange my foreign licence without taking a test?+
Only where a reciprocal agreement exists. The United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and several other countries publish lists of eligible licences. Others, including many US states and most of Canada, require at least a knowledge test. Our exchange pages explain the conditions for each country.
How accurate are the cost estimates?+
They are planning ranges, not quotes. Official fees are usually fixed and published, while driving school prices vary by city, transmission and the number of lessons a learner needs. We separate official and commercial costs so you can see which part is predictable.
Still unsure? Send us a question or read our editorial policy.