# Can I drive here with my licence? > How long it is valid here, and how to switch to a local one before it runs out. URL: https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/en/can-i-drive-here/ Language: English (en) ## The problem A licence is valid abroad for a period few people know, and driving past it can mean driving uninsured. Who it hits: Every driver who moves or travels. ### The shapes it takes - Visitors: how long a foreign licence works - International Driving Permit: 1949 and 1968 formats - Official translations instead of a permit - New residents: deadline and exchange agreements - Motorbike categories - Rental company demands - Fake international licence websites ### What this page gives you How long you may drive, and how to convert before it lapses. ## Where are you, and where is your licence from? Answers: Yes — it's your own country's licence · Yes, on your licence · Yes, with an International Driving Permit · Yes, with an official translation · You'll need a local licence EU and EEA licences are valid across the EU and EEA for as long as they're valid — no exchange needed. ## Every country's rules on this page ### United Kingdom - Visiting: Visitors may drive cars and motorbikes shown on their full, valid licence for 12 months from the date they last entered Great Britain. - Living here: New residents may drive on their licence for 12 months. Licences from the EU and from countries with an exchange agreement are then swapped for a GB licence — within 5 years of becoming resident, with form D1 from a Post Office (fee below). Other licences: apply for a provisional licence and pass the GB theory and driving tests before the 12 months end. - Exchange without a test: Andorra, Australia, Barbados, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Taiwan, Ukraine - Exchange fee: 43 GBP - Traffic drives on the left. - Official: https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence · https://www.gov.uk/exchange-nongb-driving-licence ### France - Visiting: Visitors may drive on a valid licence written in French, or with an International Driving Permit or an official translation (a UK licence needs neither). - Living here: A non-European licence is valid for 1 year after you become normally resident (185 days a year). To keep driving, request the exchange on the ANTS website within that first year — only licences from countries that exchange with France qualify; otherwise, take the French licence. Students with a student residence permit may drive on their licence during their studies. - Traffic drives on the right. - Official: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1460 · https://ants.gouv.fr ### Germany - Visiting: Visitors may drive on a valid licence; a licence from outside the EU needs a German translation (from a recognised automobile club) or an International Driving Permit if it isn't in German. - Living here: A non-EU licence is valid for 6 months after you move to Germany (the driving licence office can extend it by up to 6 months if you'll stay no longer than 12 months). Then exchange it at the driving licence office with your passport, your registration certificate, a biometric photo and a translation. Licences from the countries in Annex 11 swap without a test or with part of one; others need the theory and practical tests. - Traffic drives on the right. - Official: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/anlage_11.html · https://gerlingen.de/,Len/-/Dienstleistungen/driving-licence-foreign---apply-for-exchange/vbid349 ### Philippines - Visiting: A valid foreign licence works for 90 days from your arrival — carry your passport to show the arrival date. It must be in English or come with an official English translation from its embassy; permits sold by private companies aren't valid. - Living here: After 90 days, convert to a Philippine licence at the LTO: your licence (with an embassy translation if it isn't in English), your passport with the latest arrival stamp, your visa or ACR I-Card, a medical certificate from an LTO-accredited doctor and a drug test; written and practical exams may apply. - Traffic drives on the right. - Official: https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/10/45561 ### Japan - Visiting: Drive for up to 1 year from landing with an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva format, carried with your passport. Licences from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, Taiwan and Estonia instead need an official Japanese translation (from JAF or the embassy) — a French permit in the 1968 format isn't valid in Japan. - Living here: Residents need a Japanese licence: convert your foreign licence at the prefectural driving licence centre. A permit works for residents again only after 3 months or more abroad. - Licence plus official translation: Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, Taiwan, Estonia - Traffic drives on the left. - Official: https://www.police.pref.saitama.lg.jp/documents/33452/eigo.pdf · https://www.oist.jp/node/44712 ### Thailand - Visiting: Visitors may drive with a valid International Driving Permit; licences from ASEAN countries are accepted on their own. - Living here: Residents convert to a Thai licence at the Department of Land Transport with their passport, a certificate of residence, a health certificate, their foreign licence and an e-learning certificate. Tourists can't apply. - Traffic drives on the left. - Official: https://thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/2874/iid/341038 ### United States - Visiting: Visitors drive on their home licence; some states also require an International Driving Permit, and rental companies may ask for both. The US doesn't issue permits to visitors — get one at home before you travel. - Living here: New residents get a licence from the state they live in; each state sets its own deadline and rules — find your state's motor vehicle office in the national directory. - Traffic drives on the right. - Official: https://www.usa.gov/visitors-driving · https://www.usa.gov/motor-vehicle-services ### China - Visiting: Mainland China doesn't recognise foreign licences or International Driving Permits — visitors apply for a temporary Chinese driving permit instead. - Living here: Residents need a Chinese driving licence. - Traffic drives on the right. - Official: https://www.afar.com/magazine/how-to-get-an-international-drivers-permit?p=2 ## The general rules - Most countries let visitors drive on a valid licence for a few months, often with an International Driving Permit — check the licensing authority before you drive. - Most countries let new residents drive on their licence for a limited time (often 3 to 12 months), then require a local one — by exchange if there's an agreement with your licence's country, otherwise by test. - It's issued only in the country that issued your licence, by its official body or automobile club — get it before you leave. - Carry it together with your licence: it's a translation, not a licence. - Two formats: 1949 Geneva (valid up to 1 year) and 1968 Vienna (up to 3 years). Some countries accept only one — Japan takes only the 1949 format. - It isn't valid in the country where you live. - US licence holders: only AAA and AATA are authorised to issue permits. - Your licence (and permit) must show the motorcycle category (A) — a car licence doesn't cover a motorbike in most countries, and travel insurance often refuses claims for riding without the right category. Wear a helmet. - Rental companies may ask for an International Driving Permit even where the law doesn't — check your booking conditions. - Websites selling an “international driver's licence” or a permit you can print at home are fakes — the real permit comes only from your licence's country. - An expired licence makes the permit worthless too. ### Licensing authorities - Spain: https://www.dgt.es - Italy: https://www.ilportaledellautomobilista.it - Portugal: https://www.imt-ip.pt - India: https://parivahan.gov.in - United Arab Emirates: https://www.rta.ae - South Korea: https://www.koroad.or.kr - Malaysia: https://www.jpj.gov.my - New Zealand: https://www.nzta.govt.nz ## Language - [English](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/en/can-i-drive-here/) · [Markdown](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/en/can-i-drive-here/index.md) - [العربية](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/ar/can-i-drive-here/) · [Markdown](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/ar/can-i-drive-here/index.md) - [Deutsch](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/de/can-i-drive-here/) · [Markdown](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/de/can-i-drive-here/index.md) - [Español](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/es/can-i-drive-here/) · [Markdown](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/es/can-i-drive-here/index.md) - [Français](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/fr/can-i-drive-here/) · [Markdown](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/fr/can-i-drive-here/index.md) - [हिन्दी](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/hi/can-i-drive-here/) · [Markdown](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/hi/can-i-drive-here/index.md) - [Bahasa Indonesia](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/id/can-i-drive-here/) · [Markdown](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/id/can-i-drive-here/index.md) - [日本語](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/ja/can-i-drive-here/) · [Markdown](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/ja/can-i-drive-here/index.md) - [한국어](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/ko/can-i-drive-here/) · [Markdown](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/ko/can-i-drive-here/index.md) - [Português](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/pt-BR/can-i-drive-here/) · [Markdown](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/pt-BR/can-i-drive-here/index.md) - [Русский](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/ru/can-i-drive-here/) · [Markdown](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/ru/can-i-drive-here/index.md) - [Türkçe](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/tr/can-i-drive-here/) · [Markdown](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/tr/can-i-drive-here/index.md) - [Tiếng Việt](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/vi/can-i-drive-here/) · [Markdown](https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/vi/can-i-drive-here/index.md)