Ruqayyah Snyder
If you're planning on driving while travelling abroad, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is a translation of your Australian driver's licence, making your identification details available in nine languages. It is a United Nations-sanctioned document, recognised in over 150 countries, and is useful in case you need to communicate with foreign authorities. An IDP can be obtained online or in person, and is issued by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) and its member clubs, including NRMA, RACQ, and RAC. The cost of an IDP is AUD 53.00, and it is valid for 12 months from the date of issue or until your Australian driver's licence expires, whichever comes first. To apply, you must be over 18 years old and have a full Australian driver's licence, as well as a passport-sized photo that meets the guidelines for Australian passport photos.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is an International Driving Permit (IDP)? | An official United Nations and Australian Government document that allows you to drive overseas without further tests or applications. |
| Who can apply for an IDP? | Anyone over the age of 18 with a full valid Australian driver's licence. Provisional licence holders can also apply. |
| Who cannot apply for an IDP? | Foreign visitors to Australia and learner licence holders. |
| What is the validity of an IDP? | 12 months from the date of issue or until the expiry of your Australian driver's licence, whichever is earlier. |
| Who issues an IDP? | The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) and its member clubs are the only authorised distributors of IDPs in Australia. NRMA, RACQ, and RAC are authorised sales agents of the AAA. |
| What is the cost of an IDP? | AUD 53.00 |
| What is the process to apply for an IDP? | Complete the online application or visit the nearest RACQ or RAC store with the required documents. |
| What are the documents required for an IDP? | A valid Australian driver's licence and a passport-sized photo with a white background, not older than 12 months, and which follows the guidelines for Australian passport photos. |
| Where can I use an IDP? | In over 150 countries worldwide. |
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What You'll Learn
International Driving Permit (IDP) requirements
International Driving Permits (IDPs) are available to anyone over the age of 18 with a full, valid Australian driver's licence. Provisional licence holders can also apply, but learners cannot. You will need to provide a passport-sized photo with your application, and this cannot be older than 12 months or reused from a previous IDP. Your photo must have a white background and follow the guidelines for Australian passport photos.
You can apply for an IDP online, and it will be posted to you within 5-10 business days, or you can choose to collect it from a local centre. If you need your IDP in a hurry, you can gather the required documents and head to your nearest centre, where you'll be issued with your permit instantly. The cost of an IDP is AUD 53.00.
The IDP is a translation of your Australian driver's licence, carrying your identification details in nine languages: English, Spanish, Japanese, Greek, German, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, and French. This can be useful when communicating with foreign authorities. It is valid for 12 months from the date of issue or until your Australian driver's licence expires, whichever comes first.
Please note that an IDP is not a stand-alone document and does not substitute a valid driver's licence. You must carry your physical Australian state/territory licence with your IDP at all times.
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Where to apply for an IDP
International Driving Permits (IDPs) are only available through the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) and its member clubs. The AAA is the only authorised body to sell IDPs in Australia. The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) is the authorised IDP sales agent in Queensland, while the National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA) is an authorised sales agent in New South Wales. The Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia (RACWA) also provides IDPs.
You can apply for an IDP online through the NRMA or RACQ, and have it delivered by post within 5-10 business days. You can also pick it up the next business day from selected NRMA locations, including Sydney Olympic Park. If you need your IDP sooner, you can visit your nearest RACQ or RACWA store with the required documents and receive your permit instantly.
When applying online, you will need to upload clear scans or photos of the front and back of your Australian driver's licence. You will also need to provide a passport-sized photo that meets the guidelines for Australian passport photos. This photo must be no older than 12 months and cannot be reused from previous IDPs. If you are applying in-store, you will need to supply a printed passport photo.
If you are leaving in less than 7 days, you can also pick up an IDP in Australia from your local Service NSW locations. However, note that not all Service NSW Service Centres offer this service, so check the applicable locations and make an appointment before attending.
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Application process
International Driving Permits (IDPs) are available through the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) and its authorised sales agents, including NRMA, RAC, and RACQ. The application process and requirements may vary slightly depending on the organisation and whether you choose to apply online or in-store. However, here is a general overview of the application process:
Online Application Process:
- Visit the website of the authorised IDP sales agent in your state, such as NRMA, RAC, or RACQ.
- Complete the online application form, providing your personal and contact information.
- Upload clear scans or photos of the front and back of your Australian driver's licence. Ensure your licence is up to date and all details are legible.
- Provide a valid passport-sized photo that meets the requirements. This photo should not be older than 12 months and cannot be reused from previous IDPs. The background of the photo should be white, following the guidelines for Australian passport photos.
- Make the payment for the IDP, which typically costs AUD 53.00.
- Submit your application and wait for it to be processed. The processing time may vary, but it generally takes around 5-10 business days.
- Receive your IDP by post at the specified address or choose to collect it from selected locations.
In-Store Application Process:
- Gather the required documents, including your Australian driver's licence and a printed passport photo that meets the requirements.
- Visit your nearest authorised IDP sales agent store, such as a local RAC or RACQ branch.
- Submit your application and provide the required documents to the customer service representative.
- Make the payment for the IDP.
- Receive your IDP instantly at the store, ensuring you have all the necessary documentation.
Please note that the IDP is only valid for 12 months from the date of issue or until the expiry date of your Australian driver's licence, whichever comes first. It is important to carry your physical Australian driver's licence with you when travelling, as the IDP is not a stand-alone document.
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Validity of IDP
International Driving Permits (IDPs) are valid for 12 months from the date of issue or until the expiry date of your Australian driver's licence, whichever comes first. This means that if your Australian driver's licence expires within 12 months of issuing your IDP, your IDP will no longer be valid.
IDPs are valid in over 150 countries worldwide, and they are officially sanctioned by the United Nations. They are a translation of your Australian driver's licence, carrying your identification details in nine languages: English, Spanish, Japanese, Greek, German, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, and French. This can be useful if you need to communicate with foreign authorities or rental car companies, who may require you to have an IDP to rent a vehicle.
It is important to note that an IDP is not a stand-alone document and does not substitute a valid Australian driver's licence. You must carry your physical Australian driver's licence with your IDP at all times. Additionally, digital versions of Australian driver's licences are not valid outside the state of issue and are not recognised internationally. Therefore, you must have a valid plastic photo card licence to apply for an IDP.
When applying for an IDP, ensure your licence is up to date and all details are legible. If submitting an online application, you will need to upload clear scans or photos of the front and back of your Australian driver's licence. Your photo must have a white background and follow the guidelines for Australian passport photos. It must not be older than 12 months and cannot be reused from previous IDPs.
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Documents required for application
International Driving Permits (IDPs) are available to Australians with a Provisional or full driver's licence, who are aged 18 or older. To apply for an IDP, you will need the following documents:
- A valid Australian driver's licence. Digital licences are not accepted, so make sure you have a physical, plastic photo card licence.
- A passport-sized photo. This must be printed if you are applying in-store. The photo must follow the guidelines for Australian passport photos, including having a white background. It must not be older than 12 months and cannot be reused from previous IDP applications.
If you are applying online, you will need to upload clear scans or photos of the front and back of your Australian driver's licence, as well as a suitable passport photo.
The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) is the only authorised body to sell IDPs in Australia, and the NRMA and RACQ are authorised sales agents. The cost of an IDP is AUD 53.00.
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Frequently asked questions
An IDP is a translation of your current Australian driver's license, available in nine languages. It is a document sanctioned by the United Nations and the Australian Government, advising local authorities and car rental companies that you are licensed to drive in Australia.
Anyone over the age of 18 with a full valid Australian driver's license can apply. Provisional license holders can also apply, but learner's licenses are not accepted.
You will need a valid Australian driver's license and a passport-sized photo. The photo must be on a white background, and not older than 12 months. It cannot be reused from previous IDP applications.
The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) is the only authorized body to sell IDPs in Australia. You can apply online and have it delivered by post, or you can visit your nearest RACQ store or selected locations such as Sydney Olympic Park.
An IDP is valid for 12 months from the date of issue or until the expiry of your Australian license, whichever comes first.
