:: A Warning Regarding International
Driving Permits
There has recently been a rush of email and web sites offering International Driving Permits (IDPs) for sale, promoted as a way to "protect your privacy", "hide your identity" and circumvent the accumulation of demerit points by drivers.
These are counterfeit documents and the claims made for them are false.
IDPs are only issued by, or on behalf of governments that are signatories to the United Nations Conventions on Road Traffic and can only be used when driving foreign countries.
In Australia, the sole issuing authority is the Australian Automobile Association and the only valid IDPs are those available from its affiliated state and territory motoring clubs - NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA of SA, RAC of WA, RACT and AANT.
The permits serves as proof that the holder is legally licensed to drive in his or her own country. It contains the driver's particulars printed in nine languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, German, Arabic, Italian and Greek) and photograph.
The primary purpose of the IDP is to help overcome difficulties which may arise while driving in another country as a result of a car accident or traffic offence, for example.
However, it is also a prerequisite in more than 40 countries for renting a car and provides a useful form of identification in other circumstances.
Although not essential in many countries which recognise each other's licenses, IDPs are recommended by travel officials for driving in most parts of Europe.
The permits are not expensive and are available to anyone 18 years or older with a driving license who is travelling abroad. The license must be produced at the time of application, or a photocopy enclosed if applying by mail, and a passport-type photograph provided.
IDPs are valid for one year from the date of issue and cannot be postdated, extended or
renewed. They do not substitute for a driving license, which must also be carried when driving overseas.You can download an application form for an
International Driving Permit, ( PDF ~31kB) from the RAC WA website [you need the Acrobat Reader to view and print the form]
