An International Driving Permit (IDP) entitles you to drive in certain countries without undergoing any new driving tests.

If you’re renting a car, you’ll find it is a standard requirement for hire cars in most countries. Just like at home, driving without a permit may constitute a criminal or civil offence with serious consequences.

Driving without an IDP may trigger an exclusion under your travel insurance policy if you claim for loss or injury caused while driving overseas.

In most cases, your current Australian driver's licence is not enough on its own when driving in a foreign country. It must be complemented with an IDP.

It carries your identification details in nine languages (English, Spanish, Japanese, Greek, German, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, French) in case you need to communicate with foreign authorities.

It is not a stand-alone document or substitute for a valid driving licence. It must be carried with your current domestic driver's licence at all times.

An IDP does not diminish the obligation of the holder to conform strictly to the laws and regulations of the countries you visit. An IDP can only be issued to people over 18 years of age with a valid Australian licence (includes P-plate) and cannot be issued to learner driver permit holders.

Make sure you check the permit requirements of your destination before you travel and get more information about driving overseas here. You can order your own International Driving Permit through RACQ.