Do You Need an International Driving Permit to Rent a Car in Australia?

By Australia Rent CarPublished 28 Oct 2026Updated 28 Oct 20267 min readAustralia Travel Tips

You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Australia if your licence is not in English, unless you carry an official English translation instead. If your licence is in English, the law does not require an IDP, but some rental companies still ask for one.

At a glance

Licence in EnglishNo IDP required by law

Licence not in EnglishIDP or official English translation required

Where to get itIn the country that issued your licence, before you travel

IDP aloneNot valid without your original licence

Rental deskCheck the supplier’s terms

1What an IDP Is

An International Driving Permit is a booklet that translates your licence into several languages, including English. It is issued by the motoring association or authority in the country that issued your licence, and it is only valid alongside your original licence. You cannot get one in Australia for an overseas licence.

2When You Need One

Your licence	What to carry
In English	Your licence. Some rental companies also ask for an IDP, so check the terms.
Not in English	Your licence plus an IDP or an official English translation
Not in English, no IDP or translation	You cannot legally drive, and rental companies will refuse the rental

NSW and Austroads both state that visitors whose licence is not in English must carry an IDP or an English translation. A translation should be from an accredited translator; a quick online version may not be accepted by the rental company.

3How to Get an IDP

Apply to your home country’s motoring association or licensing authority, often online or at a branch.
Bring your licence and passport photos, and allow time for processing and postage.
Check the expiry date. IDPs are usually valid for one year or until your licence expires, whichever is earlier.
Carry the IDP and your licence together whenever you drive.

Tip

Get the IDP before you leave home. If you forget, an accredited English translation is the only alternative once you are in Australia.

4IDP vs Translation: Which Should You Get?

	International Driving Permit	English translation
Where you get it	Home country, before travel	Accredited translator, at home or in Australia
Accepted by police	Yes, with your licence	Yes, with your licence
Accepted by rental companies	Widely	Check the supplier’s terms
Validity	Usually one year	As long as the licence it translates

Tip

If you have time before travel, the IDP is the simplest option and is recognised everywhere.

5Common Mistakes With IDPs

Leaving the IDP at home: it must be carried with your licence whenever you drive.
Using an expired IDP: check the dates before travel.
Buying an “international driving licence” online: unofficial documents are not IDPs and are not accepted.
Forgetting additional drivers: each driver needs their own licence and IDP or translation.
Assuming an IDP replaces a licence: it does not.

6Which Countries’ Licences Are in English?

Licences from countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa are generally in English, so an IDP is not required by law in Australia. Licences in other languages, for example from China, Japan, Korea, Germany, France, Italy or the Middle East, need an IDP or accredited English translation. If your licence is bilingual and includes English, check with your rental supplier whether they accept it as it is.

7At the Rental Desk

Rental companies check that every driver’s documents meet the law and their own terms. If the licence is not in English and there is no IDP or translation, the desk will refuse the rental, and prepaid bookings may not be refunded. Additional drivers need the same documents.

Also read: Driving in Australia with a foreign licence

Sources checked