What is an international driving permit for?

So that authorities abroad can read and recognise your national driving licence. It is a standardised translation under the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions and is always presented alongside the national licence, never instead of it.

How long is it valid?

One year from the date of issue — and it stops being useful sooner if the national licence it depends on is no longer valid.

International driving permit (IDP)

Definition

The international driving permit (permiso internacional de conducir) is the document that translates and evidences your national driving licence before the authorities of another country. It follows the models of the international road-traffic conventions — the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention — and in Spain it is issued by the DGT to holders of a valid Spanish driving licence. It is not a licence in its own right: it never replaces the national licence, it is always presented together with it, and it does not authorise driving in the country that issued it.

What it is and what it is not

It is a standardised translation: it reproduces the national licence's data and the categories recognised by the conventions in several languages, so an officer abroad can read it without knowing the Spanish format. Hence its two limits — it never adds categories you do not already hold, and it proves nothing on its own without the valid national licence it accompanies.

When it is needed

Not inside the EU or the European Economic Area, where the Spanish licence is valid directly. It is for countries outside that area — those party to the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna Conventions, and those that require such a document from foreign drivers. The destination country sets the requirement, so that is where to check it.

Key facts

Issued under the international road-traffic conventions: Geneva 1949 and Vienna 1968.
In Spain the DGT issues it to holders of a valid Spanish driving licence.
Valid for one year from the date of issue.
Never valid on its own: always carried together with the national driving licence.
Does not authorise driving in the country that issued it.
Not needed to drive in the EU or the EEA, where the Spanish licence is valid directly.
It does not add categories: it mirrors those already on the national licence.

Frequently asked questions

What is an international driving permit for?: So that authorities abroad can read and recognise your national driving licence. It is a standardised translation under the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions and is always presented alongside the national licence, never instead of it.
How long is it valid?: One year from the date of issue — and it stops being useful sooner if the national licence it depends on is no longer valid.
Do I need one to drive in Europe?: Not within the EU or the European Economic Area, where a Spanish licence is valid directly. It is for countries outside that area that require it from foreign drivers.

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