Who needs an International Driver’s License in Spain?
I recently found out that an International Driver’s License is compulsory for many tourists wanting to drive in Spain.
In fact, in most countries you require not just a valid drivers license from back home (in my case Canada) but also an International Driver’s License. Not having one may result in steep fines. In many countries, you might not even be able to rent a car without an International Driver’s License.
In this post I cover what you need to know about an International Driver’s License and all the reasons you should get one. I also detail how to get an International Driver’s License in just a few minutes.
What is an International Driver’s License?
An International Driver’s License (also called an International Driving Permit or IDP for short) is a document presenting a translation of your existing driver’s license into different languages. It has all the important identifying information: a photo, your name, address and the date of issue.
The International Driver’s License is not to be used by itself. It is not intended to replace your original driver’s license. Instead, it must be used in conjunction with the driving license from your home country i.e. You need BOTH licenses with you at all times.
The reason different countries such as Spain require an International Driver’s License is ease of communication with local authorities. Since your license is translated into the local language, your information is more easily understood by police and/or car rental companies.
Who requires an International Driver’s License to drive in Spain?
If you are from outside the European Union you are required to have an International Driver’s License. So if you’re from the US, Canada, Australia, or from any other country outside Europe, you need an International Driver’s License (you don’t need one if from the UK). The exception to this is if you are from a country where the information on your driver’s license is in same language as the country you’re visiting (example: if you are from Argentina, you would not need an IDP for Spain).
Who doesn’t require an International Driver’s License: If you’re a European Union national you don’t need an IDP. So, if you’re Irish, German, French, Dutch, or Austrian (for example), you’ll only need to bring your home country driving license to Spain. If you’re a member of the European Economic Area you don’t need an IDP either. The European Economic Area, also known as EEA, is formed by all European Union countries and a few others that don’t belong to the UE (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein). Finally, if you are from the UK, you don’t require an IDP either (although it is recommended).
General rule (not just in Spain but everywhere): If you are going somewhere where the language is different than that on your Driver’s License, you should get an International Driver’s License. At the very least, it will make your life easier should anything happen…in the worst case, it could save you a large fine if stopped by police or negate any potential problems you may have renting a car.
*In Europe, the fine is in the 250-300 Euro range depending on the country and can include them not allowing you to get back behind the wheel.
Considering the cost (a 1-year IDP costs no more than 50 Euros) and the ease of getting one, it is always recommended that you get an International Driver’s License if travelling to a country where the language is different than that back home.
How to get an International Driver’s License?
You can get you International Driver’s License in minutes*. Apply for an international driving permit online.
*A digital copy takes 10 minutes. If you’d also like a printed copy, that will take 5 to 20 days depending on your country and the shipping method chosen.
How to do it:
1) Go to the website.
2) On the homepage you’ll see this:
3) Enter the country where your driver’s license was issued
4) Enter the country where you are planning to drive
5) The website will tell you if an International Driver’s License is required and what options are available. Then click on “Apply for IDP” if you want to continue.
6) You’ll be asked if you have a valid driver’s license. Choose “yes” if you do.
7) the last step is entering the application details. Have the following ready: your driver’s license, your shipping address, and a digital photo (which you’ll upload in the application). Follow the steps indicated.
The process takes less than 5 minutes and once done you should have a digital copy of you International Driver’s License. That’s how easy it is.
Happy Driving!
Related: A Travel Agent’s guide to the Best of Spain
The EU and EEA countries are all on the exception list so tourists from the EU or EEA countries only need the driving licence issued in their own country in order to drive in Spain, subject to any age restrictions for the class of vehicle they are driving.
Well yes…exactly as I say in the post 😉