Foreign driving licences by country
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
Whether a driving licence from another country is recognised for visitors and new residents, and how long it may be used. Pick a country for the full list of rules, each with its official source.
| Country | Licence from another EU/EEA state valid for a visitor | EU/EEA licence after becoming a resident | Licence from outside the EU/EEA for a visitor | Licence from outside the EU/EEA after becoming a resident | International Driving Permit needed with an EU/EEA licence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Valid while no ordinary residence in Germany | Valid in Germany; C/D classes time-limited | Valid while non-resident; translation may be needed | 6 months, extendable by up to 6 months | No; EU/EEA national licence suffices |
| Netherlands | Valid if the licence is not expired | 15 yrs (cars/motorbikes), 5 yrs (C/D) from issue | Valid for tourists (categories A-E) | 185 days after moving | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| United Kingdom | Yes, a non-UK licence may be used | ⚠ Not yet verified | Using a foreign driving licence, Great Britain: 12 months from last entry into the UK | Using a foreign driving licence, Great Britain: 12 months from becoming resident | No IDP needed for visitors |
| France | Yes, if valid and conditions are met | No exchange needed except in set cases | Valid for stays under 6 months; IDP or translation | 1 year from normal residence | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Spain | Valid while in force | Valid; exchange voluntary; 2-year limit for old permits | Valid up to 6 months from entry | 6 months from normal residence | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Italy | Yes for non-residents | Until expiry; 2 years if no expiry date | Valid up to 1 year of residence; translation if needed | 1 year from acquiring residence | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Ireland | Yes, for the period the licence has effect | Valid while it has effect; no residence limit | Valid for a visitor on a temporary stay | Exchange only if from a recognised state; else full test | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Australia | Yes for visitors; NT 3 months, NSW and VIC 6 | An Australian licence is required once a person becomes a permanent resident or an Australian citizen. The Austroads page gives no grace period. | A visiting driver, who does not hold a permanent visa, may drive on a valid overseas licence. The licence must be carried at all times together with either an international driving permit or an English translation if it is not in English. The driver may drive only vehicles the licence authorises and must keep to its conditions. Time limits: Northern Territory 3 months; New South Wales and Victoria 6 months; indefinitely in the other states and territories while the licence is current. | An Australian licence is required once a person becomes a permanent resident or an Australian citizen. The Austroads page gives no grace period. | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Poland | Valid for its period of validity | Valid; no exchange needed | Convention licence recognised; 6-month residence limit | 6 months from start of residence | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Portugal | Valid until the printed expiry date | Valid to expiry; register residence with IMT | 185 days after entry (convention/bilateral states) | 90 days to exchange; some OECD/CPLP licences accepted | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Belgium | Valid if the licence is valid | Valid until expiry; exchange in set cases | Recognised licence or international licence | 185 days from registration | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Sweden | Valid if valid at home and not exchanged (EEA) | Stays valid when resident; exchange optional | Valid up to 1 year of residence; translation may be needed | 1 year; UK and Faroe licences stay valid | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Austria | Yes: an EEA licence counts as Austrian | Counts as Austrian licence while resident | Up to 12 months from entry | 6 months after taking up residence | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Greece | Yes (EU mutual recognition) | EU rule: a holder of a valid EU driving licence who takes up normal residence in another Member State may request an exchange for an equivalent licence. The host State may apply the Directive's administrative validity periods to a licence that has none, by renewing it from 2 years after residence began. | IDP or listed national licences | ⚠ Not yet verified | Not needed |
| Switzerland | Valid national licence accepted | Swiss licence needed after 12 months' residence | Valid national licence, or international permit with it | Swiss licence needed after 12 months' residence | No; valid national licence suffices |
| Denmark | Valid for visits | No exchange required | Latin letters or translation / international permit | 180 days, then exchange (test for some countries) | No; EU/EEA licence suffices |
| Czechia | Valid | Valid; exchange optional | Convention licence valid; others need IDP | Exchange within 3 months of residence | Not needed |
| Hungary | Valid (EEA licence) | Valid; no exchange needed (if it has an expiry date) | Convention licence valid for 1 year from arrival | 1 year from start of stay, then exchange | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Finland | Valid while the licence is valid | Valid until expiry, then renew | Valid for visitors; IDP or translation may be asked | 2 years (convention states); 1 year (other recognised) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Norway | Valid (EU/EEA), Norwegian health rules apply | Valid; exchange without new tests possible | 3 months; permit or translation in some cases | 3 months after registering; exchange for listed countries | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| New Zealand | Yes: 18 months (12 from 1 Nov 2026), car licences | The time limit runs from the day of last arrival in New Zealand: car licences 18 months, reducing to 12 months from 1 November 2026; motorcycle or truck licences 12 months. Anyone planning to stay should get a New Zealand driver licence; an overseas licence that is current or expired less than 12 months ago can be converted. | Valid licence; translation or IDP; 18 months (12 from Nov) | The time limit runs from the day of last arrival in New Zealand: car licences 18 months, reducing to 12 months from 1 November 2026; motorcycle or truck licences 12 months. Anyone planning to stay should get a New Zealand driver licence; an overseas licence that is current or expired less than 12 months ago can be converted. | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Croatia | Yes, while valid | No exchange needed; valid until expiry | Up to 1 year from entry | Exchange after 1 year from entry | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Before you rely on it
This comparison covers national rules. Regional or local rules can apply on top of them, and rules change. A rule marked “to verify” has not yet been confirmed against an official source. Each country page links to the official sources, and those are the place to confirm the details before you act.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.