Foreign driving licences in Czechia (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: Valid EU/EEA licences may be used in the Czech Republic and need not be exchanged. Third-country licences that match the Geneva or Vienna conventions are valid; residents with permanent residence or temporary residence of more than one year must exchange them within 3 months.

RuleWhat applies
Licence from another EU/EEA state valid for a visitorUsing a foreign driving licenceYes [1]
EU/EEA licence after becoming a residentUsing a foreign driving licenceValid in the Czech Republic. Holders with habitual residence in the Czech Republic may exchange it for a Czech licence, but the table does not make this compulsory. [1]
Licence from outside the EU/EEA for a visitorUsing a foreign driving licenceA valid licence from a third country that matches the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna conventions entitles the holder to drive in the Czech Republic. A licence that does not match the conventions (this includes licences from Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates) is not enough on its own: the holder must also carry an international driving permit issued under the Vienna or Geneva convention. [1]
Licence from outside the EU/EEA after becoming a residentUsing a foreign driving licenceA holder of a licence from a non-EU state with permanent residence, or temporary residence of more than one year, must apply for a Czech licence within 3 months of the permit being granted (or, for a Czech citizen, of returning to the Czech Republic). The foreign licence is accepted for exchange only if its design matches the 1968 Vienna or 1949 Geneva convention model. For a shorter stay, exchange is possible only if the holder has habitual residence in the country. [2]
International Driving Permit needed with an EU/EEA licenceUsing a foreign driving licenceNo [1]

Notes

  • The table does not give a time limit for visitors holding such a licence. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs manual says an international driving permit is valid for three years (Vienna) or one year (Geneva) from issue; that is not the same question and is not used here.
  • The Ministry of Transport table says a valid licence issued by an EU or EEA state allows driving in the Czech Republic. It names an international driving permit only for third-country licences that do not follow the 1949 or 1968 conventions.

Sources

  1. Ministerstvo dopravy (Ministry of Transport): Doklady – řízení motorových vozidel (přehled uznávání zahraničních řidičských průkazů) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Ministerstvo dopravy (Ministry of Transport): Výměna řidičského průkazu vydaného cizím státem (nečlenský stát EU) za český řidičský průkaz (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

Compare all countries →

General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.