International Driving Permit vs Translation: What You Need in Each Country

Car rental counter in Crete, Hertz desk, line of tourists - and the agent says: “Sorry, we need an International Driving Permit.” You show your Ukrainian license, the new card-style one with everything in Latin script, but the guy behind the counter shakes his head. The Polish couple next to you got refused too, despite having EU licenses. Meanwhile the German couple walked out with keys, no questions asked. Why? Because the rules for driving abroad are a maze of two international conventions, national laws, and rental company policies. Let’s sort this out once and for all.

IDP vs Certified Translation: What’s the Difference¶

Before we dig into country-specific rules, let’s define the two documents.

International Driving Permit (IDP)¶

An IDP is an official booklet (A6 format) that translates your national license information into 10 languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, and others). It’s issued by your country’s motor vehicle authority - in Ukraine, that’s the MVS service centers.

Here’s the thing: an IDP is NOT a standalone license to drive. It’s a supplement to your regular license. Without the original national license, an IDP has zero legal value. If you’ve got the IDP but left your actual license at the hotel - you’re technically driving without documents.

Certified (Sworn) Translation¶

This is a translation of your license into a specific language, done by an officially authorized translator. In Germany that’s a beeidigter Übersetzer (sworn translator), in France - traducteur assermenté, in Spain - traductor jurado. The translator stamps and signs the document, giving it legal force.

The difference from an IDP: a translation is into ONE language, but it carries more legal weight. An IDP is for temporary stays (tourism, business trips). A certified translation is for administrative procedures - exchanging your license, registering with authorities, submitting to the motor vehicle office.

Feature	IDP	Certified Translation
Format	Booklet in 10 languages	Document in 1 language
Issued by	Motor vehicle authority	Sworn translator
Legal force	Supplement to license	Legal document
Purpose	Tourism, short trips	License exchange, administrative procedures
Cost	~400 UAH (~9 €)	28-65 € depending on country
Validity	Up to 3 years	Unlimited
Processing time	1-5 business days	1-3 business days

Two Conventions - the Key to Understanding¶

The entire system of recognizing foreign driving licenses runs on two documents: the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (1968) and the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949). Ukraine signed only the Vienna Convention - and that determines everything.

Vienna Convention (1968)¶

Signed by 89 countries, including Ukraine, most EU states, Turkey, Brazil, and Iran. The main rule: signatory countries mutually recognize each other’s national driving licenses. So if you’re from Ukraine and you drive to Germany, France, Spain, or another Vienna Convention country - your regular license is formally valid without any additional documents.

But there’s a catch. The convention requires that the license either matches a standard format or is accompanied by a translation if it doesn’t contain Latin script. Ukrainian new-format licenses (card-style) have Latin script duplication - so they formally meet the requirements. Old Soviet-era licenses don’t.

Geneva Convention (1949)¶

Signed by 101 countries, including the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, India, and Egypt. Ukraine is NOT a party to this convention. The main requirement: to drive in Geneva Convention countries, you MUST have an International Driving Permit (IDP).

As the Ukrainian MVS Main Service Center explains:

In countries that have ratified only the Geneva Convention of 1949, it is mandatory to have an international driving permit in addition to a national one for legal vehicle operation.

What if a Country Signed Both?¶

Many countries signed both the Vienna and Geneva conventions (France, Germany, Italy, for example). In that case, the later one applies - that’s the Vienna Convention of 1968. This means your national license is sufficient for those countries.

But some countries signed ONLY the Geneva Convention (US, Canada, Japan, Australia) - you definitely need an IDP there. And then there are countries that signed neither (China, Vietnam, Mozambique) - they have their own internal rules, and you often need a local license.

Country-by-Country Comparison: What Ukrainians Need¶

Here’s the main table - bookmark it before your trip.

Europe¶

Country	Convention	Ukrainian license valid?	What else you need	For license exchange
Germany	Vienna	Yes, 6 months (for residents)	Nothing (or translation for insurance)	Sworn translation
France	Both	Yes, 1 year	Translation recommended	Traduction assermentée
Spain	Both	Yes, 6 months	IDP or translation recommended	Traducción jurada
Italy	Both	Yes, 1 year	Translation or IDP	Traduzione giurata
Austria	Both	Yes, 6 months	Translation or IDP	Sworn translation
Poland	Vienna	Yes	Nothing	Sworn translation
Czech Republic	Both	Yes	Nothing	Sworn translation
Greece	Both	Yes	IDP recommended	Sworn translation
Portugal	Both	Yes, 6 months	Nothing	Tradução juramentada
Belgium	Both	Yes, 6 months	Translation recommended	Sworn translation
Turkey	Both	Yes	IDP or yeminli tercüme	Sworn translation + notary
Finland	Both	Yes, 2 years	Translation recommended	Auktorisoitu kääntäjä

Countries Where IDP is Mandatory¶

Country	Convention	What you need	Fine without IDP
USA	Geneva only	IDP + national license	$50-500 depending on state
Canada	Geneva only	IDP + national license	CAD 100-500
Japan	Geneva only	IDP required (issued under Geneva Convention)	¥50,000+
Australia	Geneva only	IDP or NAATI translation	AUD 500+
India	Geneva only	IDP + national license	INR 5,000
Egypt	Geneva only	IDP + national license	Fine + vehicle confiscation
New Zealand	Geneva only	IDP or translation	NZD 400
Singapore	Geneva only	IDP + national license	SGD 1,000

Countries Without Any Convention (Local License Required)¶

China, Vietnam, Mozambique, Myanmar - in these countries neither an IDP nor a translation will help. You’ll need to get a local license (and in China, you’ll also need to pass the theory exam in Chinese or English).

EU Temporary Protection - Special Rules for Ukrainians¶

If you’re in Europe with temporary protection status, special rules apply under EU Regulation 2022/1280. This is critically important and overrides any national restrictions.

What it gives you:

• Your Ukrainian license is valid in ALL EU countries for the entire duration of temporary protection
• You do NOT need a translation or an IDP
• Even if your license formally expired after December 31, 2021 - it’s still valid
• The digital license from the Diia app is also accepted
• ALL license categories are covered

Temporary protection has been extended until March 4, 2027. Until that date, you don’t need an IDP, translation, or license exchange - regardless of which EU country you’re in.

As the European Commission explains:

Persons enjoying temporary protection who hold a valid driving licence issued by Ukraine should be able to use their driving licence on EU territory for as long as the temporary protection lasts.

But there’s an important detail: if you’re in an EU country NOT under temporary protection (work visa, studies, Blue Card), these rules do NOT apply to you. In that case, standard recognition periods apply - usually 6 months to 1 year, after which you need to exchange your license.

What if Police Don’t Know About the Regulation?¶

This is a real problem: not all police officers in the EU know about Regulation 2022/1280. Some issue fines to Ukrainians with temporary protection for driving with Ukrainian licenses. What to do:

• Always carry your temporary protection document (residence card or permit)
• If you get a fine - appeal it, citing EU Regulation 2022/1280
• EU law takes priority over national law (principle of direct effect, established by Costa v. ENEL in 1964)
• Having a printout of the Regulation in the local language doesn’t hurt either

How to Get an IDP in Ukraine¶

If you do need an international permit (heading to the US, Canada, Japan, Australia), here’s how to get one.

In Ukraine - Through MVS Service Centers¶

Visit any MVS service center with these documents:

• Valid national driving license
• Ukrainian passport
• International passport
• Photo 3.5×4.5 cm (matte)
• Payment receipt

Cost: ~400 UAH (administrative fee + form). Processing time: 1-5 business days. No exams required. The IDP is valid for up to 3 years, but not longer than your national license.

From Abroad - Through the e-driver Portal¶

If you’re already abroad, you can order delivery of a new license through e-driver.mvs.gov.ua. Cost with international delivery: approximately 1,271 UAH (~30 €). Delivery: about 15 days. France, Germany, Poland, and 14 other countries have the international delivery option.

Through the Diia App¶

You can also apply for an IDP through Diia. But you’ll still need to pick up the finished document at an MVS service center or order delivery.

When to Get an IDP vs When to Get a Translation¶

Here’s a simple decision framework.

You need an IDP if:¶

• You’re going to a Geneva Convention country (US, Canada, Japan, Australia, India, Egypt, etc.)
• You’re renting a car - rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Europcar) often require an IDP even in countries where it’s not legally mandatory
• You’re driving across multiple countries - an IDP covers 10 languages and works everywhere

You need a certified translation if:¶

• You’re exchanging your license for a local one (Führerscheinstelle in Germany, préfecture in France, Motorizzazione in Italy)
• You’re submitting documents to an administrative body (vehicle registration, insurance)
• You live in an EU country on a work visa and your license recognition period is ending
• You need a legally binding document for a specific authority

You don’t need anything extra if:¶

• You have temporary protection in the EU (until March 4, 2027)
• You’re a tourist in a Vienna Convention country and have a new-format license with Latin script
• You’re in an EU country within the standard recognition period (6 months - 1 year)

Tips and Pitfalls¶

Rental Companies - a Whole Different Story¶

Even if a country’s law doesn’t require an IDP from you, a rental company might. It’s their internal policy, and arguing won’t help. Here’s what works:

• Check conditions on the rental company’s website BEFORE booking
• Major chains (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Sixt) usually require an IDP from drivers with non-EU licenses
• Smaller local rentals tend to be more flexible
• If you forgot your IDP - you can try showing a translation of your license from ChatsControl. Some rentals accept it. But for official purposes, get a sworn translation or IDP

Insurance¶

If you get into an accident abroad without proper documents (IDP or translation), your insurance company may deny your claim. This isn’t theoretical - it happens. In Germany, for example, driving with a Ukrainian license after the 6-month recognition period expires is classified as driving without a valid license, and the insurer has every right to refuse coverage.

Japan - a Special Case¶

Japan recognizes IDPs, but only those issued under the Geneva Convention of 1949. Ukraine signed only the Vienna Convention - so a Ukrainian IDP is formally NOT valid in Japan. The solution: get an official translation from the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) - it costs ¥4,000 (~25 €) and takes a few days.

Australia - IDP or NAATI Translation¶

Australia accepts either an IDP or a translation from a NAATI-certified translator. The second option is often more convenient if you’re already there - finding a NAATI translator from Ukrainian is easier than you’d think, and the translation doesn’t expire, unlike an IDP with its limited validity.

Costs: IDP vs Translation by Country¶

Country	IDP Cost (from Ukraine)	Certified Translation Cost	What’s Better
Germany	~400 UAH (~9 €)	30-65 €	IDP for tourism, translation for exchange
France	~400 UAH (~9 €)	28-60 €	IDP for tourism
Spain	~400 UAH (~9 €)	35-50 €	IDP for tourism
Italy	~400 UAH (~9 €)	40-70 €	IDP for tourism
USA	~400 UAH (~9 €)	$20-30 (certified)	IDP mandatory
Canada	~400 UAH (~9 €)	CAD 30-50	IDP mandatory
Australia	~400 UAH (~9 €)	AUD 50-80 (NAATI)	IDP or NAATI translation
Japan	~400 UAH (~9 €)	¥4,000 (JAF)	JAF translation (IDP doesn’t work)

As you can see, an IDP is always cheaper. But a translation serves a different purpose - it’s not just about driving.

FAQ¶

Can I Drive in the EU With My Ukrainian License Without an IDP or Translation?¶

Yes, if you have a new-format license (card with Latin script duplication) and you’re visiting as a tourist, or if you have temporary protection. With temporary protection, even old-format licenses and the Diia digital license are valid under EU Regulation 2022/1280.

How Much Does an International Driving Permit Cost in Ukraine?¶

About 400 UAH (administrative fee + form). If you order delivery abroad through the e-driver portal - about 1,271 UAH (~30 €) including shipping.

Does the Diia Digital License Work Abroad?¶

In EU countries for temporary protection holders - yes, the Diia digital license is recognized under EU Regulation 2022/1280. In other countries - no, you need a physical document.

In Which Countries Does a Ukrainian IDP Not Work?¶

In Japan (they only recognize IDPs issued under the Geneva Convention, and Ukraine is a party to the Vienna Convention). In China, Vietnam, and some other countries that haven’t signed any convention - you need local licenses there.

What’s Better - an IDP or a Certified Translation?¶

Depends on your goal. For tourism and car rentals - an IDP (cheaper and covers more countries). For license exchange or administrative procedures - a certified translation (has legal force for specific authorities).