Can a translated licence replace an International Driving Permit?
Updated 21 Jun 2026
Direct answer
Often, yes. Many countries and most car-rental companies accept a certified translation of your driving licence, carried with the original, in place of an International Driving Permit — and EU rules for visitors explicitly accept 'a certified translation or an IDP'. But some countries require the IDP booklet specifically, so always confirm your destination's rule before you travel.
At a glance
- Replaces an IDP?
- In many countries and at most rental desks — not all
- EU/Schengen visitors
- A certified translation OR an IDP is accepted
- Where it won't
- Countries that demand the physical IDP booklet
- Always carry
- Your original national licence + passport
- Best for
- Non-Latin-script licences officials can't read
Turn this guide into a clean travel plan
Use the guide as context, then confirm your exact license, destination, dates, and vehicle before buying anything.
The 'translation OR IDP' rule
For non-EU licence holders driving short-term in the EU, the common requirement is a valid national licence accompanied by either a certified translation or an International Driving Permit. Guidance from European insurers and travel authorities repeatedly frames it as 'translation OR IDP' — they solve the same problem (a licence officials can read), so either satisfies it. Spain and several other countries name a certified translation as an accepted option outright.
Where a translation is enough — and where it isn't
A certified translation is typically accepted where the rule is about comprehension: police checks, insurance paperwork, and the vast majority of car-rental counters (which simply need to read your categories and validity). It is not enough where a country's law names the IDP booklet specifically — Japan and Thailand, for instance, check for the physical IDP at rental pickup. The deciding factor is your exact destination, which is why we publish a sourced requirement page for every country.
Why non-Latin-script licences especially benefit
If your licence is printed in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Cyrillic, Thai, Greek or Hindi, foreign staff often cannot read any of it — and many car-rental firms require a separate certified translation for exactly these licences, even in countries that don't mandate an IDP. A certified translation companion turns an unreadable card into something a rental clerk or officer can verify at a glance.
What to prepare
- Confirm your destination's rule (translation accepted, or IDP booklet required)
- Carry your original national licence at all times
- A certified translation companion of your licence
- An IDP booklet where the country names it specifically
- Passport, visa/entry stamp, and proof of insurance
Frequently asked questions
Will a car-rental company accept a translation instead of an IDP?
Is a certified translation accepted to drive in Europe?
Does a translation replace my actual licence?
Government and authority sources
- Wikipedia — International Driving Permit (validity & translations)
- USAGov — international driving permits
Also see our authorized issuer guidance for where to get a real IDP when your trip requires one.