An International Driving Permit lets you drive temporarily. A converted local licence is what you need long-term. Depending on your home country and destination, conversion may be as simple as handing over your licence — or it may require a full test.
International Driving Permit vs licence conversion
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a translation of your current licence — valid alongside it, not instead of it. Most countries allow you to drive on your IDP for 1–12 months after arrival. After that, you need to convert to a local licence.
A licence exchange or conversion replaces your home-country licence with a local one. Bilateral agreements between countries determine whether you need a new test or can simply swap documents.
Converting a UK licence abroad
| Country | Can swap without test? | What you need | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU (most states) | Yes — for existing EU/EEA categories | UK licence + passport + photo + fee | Post-Brexit: some states require theory test for new categories |
| Australia | Yes — in most states | UK licence + passport + proof of residence + DVLA check | VIC requires theory test for motorcycle category |
| New Zealand | Yes — up to 12 months then convert | UK licence + DVLA DVLA check + fee | Straightforward process |
| UAE | Yes — for UK residents | UK licence + UAE residence visa + passport copy + eye test | Eye test at traffic centre required |
| Canada | Partial — province dependent | UK licence + identity + fee | Ontario accepts UK licences; BC and Quebec may require road test |
| USA | No federal process — state by state | UK licence + SSN (if resident) + test in most states | Nevada, South Carolina and others have easier conversion rules |
| Singapore | Yes — for most categories | UK licence + identity docs + SingPass account | Conversion at Traffic Police headquarters |
| Japan | Yes — via notarised translation | UK licence + DVLA print + Japanese translation by JAF | Long process (6+ weeks); JAF translation required |
Converting a US licence abroad
The USA does not have the same network of bilateral driving agreements as the UK and EU, which makes US licence conversion more variable:
- Canada: most provinces accept US licences for direct conversion without a road test.
- UK: US licence holders must take both the theory test and practical (driving) test — no direct swap.
- Australia: US licences are accepted for direct conversion in all states and territories.
- EU: US licences do not qualify for direct swap in EU countries — theory and practical tests are typically required.
- UAE: US licence holders can exchange directly for UAE licence with an eye test.
Converting an EU licence abroad
EU licences (from any member state) have reciprocal recognition across the EU — you can drive anywhere in the EU on your home-country licence indefinitely. When moving outside the EU:
- UK: EU licences can be exchanged for a UK licence without taking a test (since the EU-UK withdrawal agreement).
- Australia: EU licences are accepted for direct conversion in all states.
- UAE: Most EU licence holders can exchange directly for UAE licence.
- Canada: Province-specific — Ontario and Alberta accept most EU licences; others may require a road test.
Step-by-step: how to convert in most countries
- Check the bilateral agreement: your destination country’s transport/motor authority website (DVLA equivalent) lists which licences can be exchanged. Confirm whether you need a theory test, practical test, or neither.
- Get a letter of entitlement or certified copy from your home authority: many countries require a letter from your home DVLA/DMV confirming your licence history and any endorsements. In the UK, use the DVLA’s D91 application.
- Get a certified translation if required: if your licence is not in English, you may need a notarised translation (Japan requires this via JAF; some Middle Eastern countries do too).
- Gather supporting documents: passport, proof of local residency (utility bill, lease), passport photos, and the applicable fee.
- Attend the local authority or traffic department: most countries require in-person attendance. In the UAE it’s the Roads and Transport Authority; in Australia it’s your state’s transport authority.
- Surrender your home licence: most countries take your original licence and post it back to your home country’s authority. You typically cannot hold two licences simultaneously.
What happens to your UK/EU/US licence after conversion
In most countries, your original licence is surrendered when you receive your local licence. The destination country typically returns it to the issuing authority. This prevents holding two valid licences simultaneously (which is generally illegal).
Keep a certified copy or record of your original licence number before surrendering it — you may need it if you eventually move to a third country.
Driving temporarily on a foreign licence
- Most countries allow 6–12 months on your home-country licence before requiring conversion.
- Some countries (Japan, China, Indonesia) don’t recognise foreign licences for driving at all without an IDP — get your IDP before arriving.
- For rental cars: rental companies worldwide accept valid foreign licences plus an IDP. Many won’t rent without both.
In the UAE, the conversion process is fast — typically same-day if your paperwork is complete. In Japan, allow 4–8 weeks minimum due to the JAF translation requirement and appointment queues.
Countries where you must take a full test
Despite holding a valid licence from your home country, these countries require you to take their local test (usually theory + practical):
- Japan — for most non-Swiss, non-German, non-French licences (bilateral agreements are limited)
- China — foreign licences are not recognised at all; you must take the Chinese test
- UK — for US, South American, African, and most Asian licence holders
- Most EU countries — for US, Indian, and non-reciprocal country licences
If you must take a test, enrol in local driving lessons first — road rules (right/left side of road, roundabout priority, speed limit signage) differ significantly between countries and an unfamiliar system under test conditions is a recipe for failure.
Further reading
- Customs and import duties when moving abroad 2026: what you can bring in tax-free
- Finding long-term accommodation abroad 2026: furnished apartments, local rentals, platforms compared
- How to ship your belongings when moving abroad 2026: international removals guide
- US F-1 student visa 2026: complete application guide, financial requirements, OPT and H-1B pathway
- Countries with golden visa programs in 2026: investment requirements, residency rights, citizenship pathways