Do i need an international driver permit in south africa

The international driver s permit is great for all travelers who plan to enjoy a shortterm stay in portugal. An international driving permit idp is a legal document that endorses your south african drivers licence. Hi pam the international driving permit is not an alternative license it is actually a translation of your existing drivers license for international purposes. Find out if you need an international driving permit to drive abroad if youre from the uk. You will not be required to take a driving test when you renew your driving licence. Driving in germany and international driving permits.

Although south africa is not as well known for extreme winter, such conditions may be extremely hazardous and many drivers might need to consider driving in situations where they do not feel confident. South africa highly recommends an international driving permit. Driving licences are issued by authorised driving licence testing centres, which are run by the municipalities under the supervision of the provincial and national departments of transport. It is used in conjunction with your south african drivers license to help legalize it. Although it is not compulsory, drive south africa strongly recommends you should get an international driving permit. Why you need an international driving permit for south africa. Visitor visas will be issued at the port of entry in south africa. No test required just your driver s license, id and i think 2 or 4. Hi, travelling to rsa for 45 months work in feb 2010 and i will be provided with a car.

All countries in the eu benefit from a mutual recognition agreement in respect of driving licences. How to get a drivers license in south africa expatica. Recognized in 174 countries around the world when accompanied by a valid u. International driver s license translate your official driver s license in multiple languages.

For example, if you have a valid us drivers license or a valid license that is written in english, you do not need an idp in the following countries. I have three questions to ask,if i get international driving permit from india. International drivers license south africa if you are seeing a blank page, please wait a few seconds till our booking engine loads if you are a south african citizen planning on driving a car overseas then you would need to apply for an international driving license in south africa. An international driving permit idp is a legal document that endorses your south african driver s licence. International driving permit south africa king shaka. If your license is not written in english, youll need to apply for an international driver s permit idp ahead of your trip.

Shortterm visitors do not need an international driving permit. Do south africans need an international driving permit for. International driving permits must be obtained prior to leaving the u. There is no such thing as an international driving license. The idp is an internationally recognised document for use, together with your licence, in countries who do not understand the language that your licence is written in. Find out when you need an international driving permit to drive abroad if youre from the uk. Driving in south africa is generally safe and enjoyable, and it is easy see the major highlights in a 2 or 3 week driving holiday. In addition, if you have a european license, you can drive in most eu countries without the need for an additional permit. The international driving permit south africa booklet does not only need to be used for driving purposes. Get your international drivers license same day shipping. If your license is not written in english, youll need to apply for an international drivers permit idp ahead of your trip. Crossing the border from south africa do i need an. Converting a foreign driving licence in south africa.

To drive in south africa, youll need to be at least 18 years old even if you hold a licence in your home country, although you can drive a motorcycle 125cc at the age of 17. An international driving permit is a translation of your national driving license. An international driving license idl is a legal requirement to drive in several foreign countries. Check if you need an international driving permit idp gov. Safety and security south africa travel advice gov. This document came into existence by virtue of a treaty signed in 1949 by the united states and other foreign countries. We will show you why you need an international driving permit for south africa. For any traveller who intends driving in a foreign country it is an imperative to apply for your international drivers permit idp, according to the south african automobile association. The international driving permit is a translation of your valid u. South africa car hire driving information driveaway. It is also regulated by the united nations, and it is required for vehicles in many countries helping you if you find yourself i n need of identification or assistance from local authorities. The license ensures that you have less of a hassle while in the country, because you most certainly do not want a headache when youre in a foreign. To drive a motor vehicle in south africa it requires a valid international driving license and the valid foreign driving license from your home country must also be carried.

The idp is used in conjunction with your south african drivers license. You may need an international driving permit idp to drive in some countries. South africans can obtain an idp at an aa office closest to them for the country they intend travelling to. If your drivers license doesnt include a photo, you must carry your passport with you also. An international driving permit is a translation of your regular driving licence that works alongside it.

As car rental specialists with over 60 years of experience assisting drivers around the world we know all there is to know about how to safely and legally drive in a foreign country. You dont need a international license to drive legally in norway as long as your licence is in english and you are hiring a car under 3500kg and are visiting for less than 3 months over 75 then you would also need a doctors certificate. To be allowed to drive in south africa you have to know many important facts concerning south african driving licenses. You may need an international driving permit idp if youre going to drive outside the eu. Get an international drivers license to drive in south africa. Call ahead to find out if youll need an appointment. You can drive in south africa with a valid uk photocard driving licence for up to 12 months. Without the permit, you might not be able to rent a car in certain countries, or you could get in trouble with the police if youre pulled over for. For security reasons, renters need to produce a valid form of identification and a valid unendorsed drivers licence at time of rental. I am in south africa but have a namibian drivers license.

However, as a permanent resident, you must have a south african driving licence. The licence must also have a signature and a photograph of the holder, and must be valid beyond the point of returning the vehicle. Simple and easy to be used for any language speakers. An international driving permit idp is a legal document, valid for 1 year or until the expiry of your drivers licence, whichever comes first. Here is the extract from budget south africas terms and conditions. If you renew it after the expiry date, you will have to apply for a temporary driving licence at an additional cost while waiting for your driving licence to be issued note. Do i need an international driver s license in ireland. If you have an older, paper uk driving licence, you must. Renters and additional drivers must be in possession of a valid unendorsed driver s license of country of residence and an avisaccepted method of payment.

Contact the motor vehicle department of each state you will drive in for its requirements. This permit is used alongside your everyday drivers license and makes things much easier in many different instances. Driving in south africa safety road conditions buying. Please refer to the road safety page for more information. Although americans are allowed to drive in ireland for up to 12 months with their us license, having an international driving permit in ireland can be beneficial. If you have a paper licence, you should also get an international driving permit idp before you travel. To drive in south africa, youll need to have a valid driving licence from your country of residence.

Section 15 1 e of the national road traffic act, act no 93 of 1996 stipulates. Cost me something like 600800, somewhere round there 2 years ago, cant remember. Do i need to take both my south african drivers license and international driving permit. International driving permits conforming to the model of the vienna convention or other conventions are not valid. When hiring a car in south africa, most car rental companies, including first car rental, require foreign drivers to hold an international driving permit idp as well as their foreign driver s licence. When you are stopped you need to supply both to a law enforcement officer.

The permit is issued in addition to an ordinary driving licence. Foreign citizens in south africa are allowed to drive as long as they have a valid licence from their own country of residence and its translated in to one of the official south african languages. As explained above, the international driver document is intended to overcome the difficulties you might have while driving a vehicle in another country that may have different language than your own. International driving license online apply drivers license.

If you travel to south africa for any other purpose e. You only need to fill out the application form and attach a copy of current valid driver license, and color photo. If the language on your current driving licence is not english, you will need an international drivers permit idp in south africa. Disclosure leaf group is a usa today content partner providing. South africa international drivers license travel idd. Be careful, however, japan only recognises international driving permits based on the 1949 geneva convention.

It is also a united nations regulated travel document for your safety and ease of travel. The only document, in south africa and nearly every other country in the world, which is a signatory of the vienna convention, that proves current authority to drive, is a national driving licence. Many international tourists intending to rent a car in mauritius ask themselves if their driver s licence is valid in mauritius or if they need to obtain an international driving permit. Do i need an international driving permit in ireland. It provides a translation of the existing driver s license into different languages and provides some identifying information, such as a photo, address, birth date, and more. However, driving in winter conditions may be hazardous for the unprepared driver. In south africa, the driving licence is the official document which authorises the holder to drive a motor vehicle on a public road. It may be possible to drive in japan with an international driving permit for a period of up to one year after this period, you must obtain a japanese driving licence.

With that said, you cannot hire a car without an international drivers permit idp for any traveller who intends driving in a foreign country it is an imperative to apply for your international drivers permit idp, according to the south african automobile association. You are still required to produce your own licence for inspection when hiring a vehicle overseas. The permission to drive a car in south africa with a. You need to renew your drivers licence in south africa every year, or you could face significant penalties.

This document contains a translation booklet, translate your national driver license in 9 languages which are english, arabic, russian, japanese, portuguese, chinese, german, spanish and french. If you dont have a licence, youll need to sit both a written and a practical driving test at a registered testing centre. What the international driving license is actually an official translation of your driving license into a language that can be understood by the local police etc, in addition it will match the license to something they can understand i. International driving permits 1949, 1968 how to get an international driving permit in zimbabwe. However, as a permanent resident, you must have a south african driving licence the information below on converting a foreign driving licence in south africa is thus for you if youre on the brink of becoming a permanent resident or have recently become one. You will need to have a drivers license in order to get an idp. A drivers license issued in any country other than south africa rsa, is valid to drive within the rsa if the foreign drivers license was issued on a date on which the holder thereof has not been permanently or ordinarily resident in. While germany does not require foreign citizens to acquire international driver s permits, the neighboring country of austria and many other european countries do. So, if youre planning to stay within germanys borders on your drive, all youll need is your valid united states license to rent a car, but if youre planning to travel elsewhere. An international drivers permit needs to be used in conjunction with a valid license from the driver s home country. Apply for a professional driving permit south african. If a south african road trip is on top of your bucket list car rental south africa will help immensely with getting you from a to b. Why do you need an idl when in south africa and other countries. Can i drive in japan with an international driving permit.

International drivers permit information for the usa. International drivers license south africa king shaka. However hire companies and their insurers may have their own rules and it would be wise to check with them before arrival. International driving permit automobile association of. However, vehicle hire companies may also require an international drivers licence. Idps can be helpful if you find yourself in need of identification or assistance while travelling. The idd, without a currently valid driving permit is not a useful or valid document to present to any authority. Which countries do i need an international drivers permit idp for.

Luckily, tourists are allowed to drive in mauritius with their domestic licence for up to 4 weeks. The holder of a valid foreign driving licence or international driving permit as described above may at any time, during the one year of validity thereof after the person obtained permanent residence, apply for a rsa driving licence in substitution of hisher foreign driving licence or international driving permit. South africa is one of the long sought after travel jewels of the african continent. Jun 30, 2015 if you are a south african citizen planning on driving a car overseas then you would need to apply for an international driving license in south africa. It is law to wear a seat belt at all times, and using a mobile phone when driving is prohibited. You will need to have a drivers license in order to get. Any valid drivers licence is accepted in south africa, provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is printed or authenticated in english. How to apply for an international drivers permit traveller24. An international driving license is a legal document that is recognized in over 150 countries worldwide. South african law does not require an international driver s license. The idp allows motorists to drive vehicles in foreign countries.

Sep 25, 2019 with an international drivers license permit, you can rent a car or motorcycle in all sorts of exotic locations with the freedom to stop anytime, and anywhere, traveling at your own pace. This process can be easily entered online, with scanned images of photo, driver license and signature, by regular post mail, or applying in person at the miami headquarters offices. How to apply for international driving permit south. An international driver s permit is a travel document that certifies you are a holder of a valid driver s license in your country of origin. International driving permit faq learn with auto europe. With an abundance of incredible natural beauty and the infrastructure to make driving safe, youll definitely need an idp when you visit south africa. You must always have your idp along with your national license at all times. International drivers licence in south africa africa. An international driving permit idp is a legal travel document regulated by the united nations, and it is for your protection and safety. International drivers license required for namibia. Youll want to get an international drivers license and possibly rental car insurance before you head out.

Since 1998, the driving licence has been issued in a credit card format. It translates your identification information into 12 languages so it speaks the language even if you dont. What you should know about converting a foreign driving licence in south africa when you first arrive in south africa, you are allowed to drive using your foreign drivers licence. Some states require an international driving permit idp from foreign nationals, in addition to a valid license from your own country. When you first arrive in south africa, you are allowed to drive using your foreign drivers licence. Possession of one can help identify yourself also in local languages.

It explains what is written on it better than the photocards, which for uk licenses use a lot of abbreviations and codes on. Check if you need an international driving permit idp. To avoid trouble with the south african traffic police, make sure that your driving license is valid. With high vehicle crime rates and erratic driving, driving in south africa can appear difficult at first, but being aware of south african road rules can take some. Do south africans need an international driving permit for driving in spain. The international driving license can be applied for at any police station in your home country. Oct 30, 20 the permission to drive a car in south africa with a foreign driving license if you are coming as an international to south africa you definitely need a car to explore the beautiful country. If driver s license is nonroman alphabet, an international driver s license is required.

You can drive in south africa on a british licence or any other licence that is printed in english however, if the licence is not printed in english, then you will need to obtain an international drivers licence. According to the us state dept website, to drive legally while in namibia, visitors staying more than a few weeks need an international driving permit. Check the rules for using your driving licence abroad. Worldwide express shipping our international drivers permit is not valid in mainland china, japan, south korea and north korea. Using australian drivers licence to drive in south africa. You need to produce your drivers license obviously. In south africa you must carry this with you when driving. Your idp is a valid form of identification in 150 countries worldwide and contains your name, photo and driver information. To drive on a public road in south africa transporting goods, dangerous goods or passengers for an income you must have a professional driving permit prdp.

Used it to drive in a couple countries in africa and mauritius. Its fast and easy to apply for your international driving permit in person at the nearest aaa office. You must renew your driving licence card four weeks before its expiry date. You must always have your idp along with your national license at. It certifies that you are the holder of a valid drivers license in your country of origin. I have heard that the police have targetted drivers re licences with the view to bribes if all is not in order. This includes people who are on vacation, students, business travelers, and more. Do tourists need an international driving permit for. How to apply for international driving permit south africa. The permission to drive a car in south africa with a foreign. South africans drive on the left hand side of the road, and all signposts are written in english. The international driving permit idp is a document that provides important information from your driver s license in eleven different languages, including english. Which countries do i need an international drivers permit. If you carry one on its own it legally means nothing.