Driving licence requirements – top 50 expat destinations

Driving Licence Requirements - Top 50 Expat Destinations
# Country Requirements for Expats (Summary) Official Source
1United StatesVisitors can generally drive short-term with a valid foreign licence; some states also expect an IDP. New residents usually must obtain a state licence within a set period (often 30–90 days, varies by state).USAGov
2United KingdomMost visitors and new residents can drive with a foreign licence for up to 12 months; long-term residents may need to exchange or take a UK test depending on licence origin.GOV.UK
3CanadaVisitors generally may drive with their foreign licence (IDP recommended); residents must obtain a provincial licence after a grace period (rules differ by province).Canada.ca
4AustraliaVisitors can often drive with a foreign licence + English translation/IDP; residents must obtain a state or territory licence within a set period, sometimes with direct exchange options.Austroads
5New ZealandForeign licence usually valid up to 12 months; after that, residents must convert to a NZ licence (often without a full test for some countries).NZTA Waka Kotahi
6GermanyEU/EEA licences valid; non-EU licences typically valid for 6 months after establishing residence, then must be exchanged or retested depending on reciprocity.Federal Transport Ministry
7FranceEU licences treated like French licences; many non-EU licences valid for up to 1 year of residence, then must be exchanged if a treaty exists, otherwise full test.Service-Public
8SpainEU/EEA licences valid; non-EU licences generally valid only for a limited period (often 6 months once resident) and then require exchange or test.DGT
9ItalyEU licences usually valid; many non-EU licences valid for up to 1 year of residence with IDP; later, conversion is required where reciprocity exists.Italian Transport Ministry
10NetherlandsForeign licences valid only for limited time after registering as resident (often 185 days); some expats can exchange without exam under the 30% ruling or specific country lists.Business.gov.nl
11BelgiumEU/EEA licences accepted; many non-EU licences must be exchanged within a set time after registering; some countries have simplified exchange rules.Belgium.be
12SwitzerlandMost foreign licences valid 12 months after becoming resident; must exchange for a Swiss licence within one year; driving professionally often requires earlier exchange.ch.ch
13AustriaEU/EEA licences recognised; non-EU licences generally valid for 6 months of residence, after which exchange or test is needed.Oesterreich.gv.at
14SwedenForeign licence usually valid for 1 year after registering as resident; EU/EEA licences can be used longer, others must be exchanged with possible tests.Swedish Transport Agency
15NorwayEU/EEA licences mostly valid; non-EEA licences often valid for up to 3 months (or 1 year in some cases), then exchange or testing required.Norwegian Public Roads Admin
16DenmarkEU licences valid; non-EU licences valid for a limited period (usually up to 90 days–1 year, depending on status), then conversion needed for residents.Borger.dk
17PortugalEU/EEA licences widely recognised; many non-EU licences can be used for a short time and may be exchangeable without exam if from listed countries.IMT Portugal
18IrelandEU/EEA licences valid; some non-EU licences from "recognised states" can be exchanged, others require Irish testing after a limited period.NDLS
19PolandEU/EEA licences valid; non-EU licences valid but must eventually be exchanged after residence (timing and process defined by Polish law).Gov.pl
20Czech RepublicEU/EEA licences are valid; non-EU licences accepted for a limited period, then exchange needed for residents (often without test from certain countries).Ministry of Transport
21HungaryEU licences valid; non-EU licences can be used for a limited time then require exchange if staying long-term, subject to reciprocity.Magyarorszag.hu
22GreeceEU licences valid; some non-EU licences can be exchanged without exams, others require Greek testing after a short period of residence.Gov.gr
23TurkeyForeign licences (with translation/IDP) typically valid for up to 6 months–1 year; longer-term residents must obtain a Turkish licence.e-Devlet
24United Arab EmiratesMany visitors can drive on home licence/IDP; residents from approved countries can exchange to a UAE licence, others must attend driving school and pass tests.U.ae
25QatarVisitors may drive short-term with foreign licence/IDP; residents must obtain a Qatari licence, sometimes via direct conversion from recognised countries.Qatar Gov Portal
26Saudi ArabiaVisitors can drive short-term with valid foreign or international licence; residents generally need a Saudi licence, with some allowed direct conversion.MOI Saudi Arabia
27KuwaitExpat residents require a Kuwaiti licence; some can convert foreign licences while others must pass written and practical tests; rules tied to residency and profession.e.gov.kw
28OmanVisitors may drive with foreign licence/IDP; residents usually must obtain an Omani licence, often via practical/theory tests.Royal Oman Police
29BahrainVisitors can generally drive with foreign licence and/or IDP; residents must obtain a Bahraini licence, sometimes exchangeable from certain countries.Bahrain.bh
30SingaporeForeigners can drive up to 12 months on a valid licence + IDP or translation; long-term residents must convert to a Singapore licence via theory test.Singapore Police Force
31MalaysiaVisitors often drive with foreign licence/IDP; long-term residents need a Malaysian licence, often by conversion from selected countries or via tests.JPJ Malaysia
32ThailandVisitors can usually drive with a foreign licence + IDP; residents should obtain a Thai licence via Department of Land Transport, often through tests and medical certificate.DLT Thailand
33IndonesiaVisitors may drive with IDP + home licence; long-term foreigners need an Indonesian SIM issued by local police (tests usually required).Korlantas Polri
34VietnamForeigners typically cannot rely solely on home licence; IDP recognition is limited; many expats must convert their licence to a Vietnamese one or take tests.Vietnam Ministry of Transport
35PhilippinesShort-term visitors can usually drive with a valid foreign licence for 90 days; residents must obtain a Philippine licence via LTO (conversion from some countries is possible).LTO Philippines
36JapanVisitors can drive with IDP + home licence up to 1 year; residents must convert their licence (gaimen kirikae) through prefectural police; long-term use of only an IDP as resident is not allowed.Tokyo Metropolitan Police
37South KoreaShort-term visitors may drive using IDP + home licence; long-term residents can exchange licences from many countries or must test for a Korean licence.Korea Road Traffic Authority
38China (Mainland)Foreign licences and IDPs are not directly valid; foreigners must obtain a Chinese licence (temporary or permanent) via conversion or tests at the Vehicle Management Office.National Immigration Admin
39Hong Kong SARVisitors can often drive with overseas licence/IDP for up to 12 months; residents may qualify for direct issue of a HK licence or must take tests.HK Transport Dept
40IndiaVisitors may drive with valid foreign licence plus IDP (varies by state); residents must obtain an Indian licence through state transport authority (tests required).Ministry of Road Transport
41South AfricaVisitors may drive with foreign licence (often if in English) or IDP; long-term residents must apply for a South African licence, sometimes via exchange.Gov.za
42KenyaVisitors can drive with foreign licence/IDP for a limited period; residents need a Kenyan licence via NTSA, with some recognition of Commonwealth licences.NTSA Kenya
43NigeriaVisitors may drive short term on foreign licence/IDP; residents must obtain a Nigerian licence through FRSC/state licensing offices.FRSC
44MexicoVisitors generally allowed to drive with foreign licence/IDP; residents should obtain a Mexican state licence—requirements vary by state.Gob.mx
45BrazilForeigners can usually drive up to 180 days with foreign licence + IDP; after that, a Brazilian CNH is needed via exchange or testing at state DETRAN.Gov.br
46ArgentinaTourists can often drive with foreign licence/IDP; residents must obtain an Argentine licence through local municipality, usually requiring medical + theory/practical tests.Argentina.gob.ar
47ChileVisitors generally can drive with foreign licence/IDP; residents eventually need a Chilean licence via municipal testing; some countries have bilateral agreements.Chile.gob.cl
48ColombiaShort-term visitors may drive with foreign licence/IDP; residents must obtain a Colombian licence through licensed driving schools and tests.MinTransporte
49Costa RicaTourists can usually drive with foreign licence for up to 90 days (length of legal stay); residents must obtain a Costa Rican licence via COSEVI.MOPT
50PanamaVisitors can generally drive with foreign licence for up to 90 days; residents are required to get a Panamanian licence, sometimes via direct exchange from certain countries.ATTT Panama
United States#1
Visitors can generally drive short-term with a valid foreign licence; some states also expect an IDP. New residents usually must obtain a state licence within a set period (often 30–90 days, varies by state).
United Kingdom#2
Most visitors and new residents can drive with a foreign licence for up to 12 months; long-term residents may need to exchange or take a UK test depending on licence origin.
Canada#3
Visitors generally may drive with their foreign licence (IDP recommended); residents must obtain a provincial licence after a grace period (rules differ by province).
Australia#4
Visitors can often drive with a foreign licence + English translation/IDP; residents must obtain a state or territory licence within a set period, sometimes with direct exchange options.
New Zealand#5
Foreign licence usually valid up to 12 months; after that, residents must convert to a NZ licence (often without a full test for some countries).
Germany#6
EU/EEA licences valid; non-EU licences typically valid for 6 months after establishing residence, then must be exchanged or retested depending on reciprocity.
France#7
EU licences treated like French licences; many non-EU licences valid for up to 1 year of residence, then must be exchanged if a treaty exists, otherwise full test.
Spain#8
EU/EEA licences valid; non-EU licences generally valid only for a limited period (often 6 months once resident) and then require exchange or test.
Italy#9
EU licences usually valid; many non-EU licences valid for up to 1 year of residence with IDP; later, conversion is required where reciprocity exists.
Netherlands#10
Foreign licences valid only for limited time after registering as resident (often 185 days); some expats can exchange without exam under the 30% ruling or specific country lists.
Belgium#11
EU/EEA licences accepted; many non-EU licences must be exchanged within a set time after registering; some countries have simplified exchange rules.
Switzerland#12
Most foreign licences valid 12 months after becoming resident; must exchange for a Swiss licence within one year; driving professionally often requires earlier exchange.
Austria#13
EU/EEA licences recognised; non-EU licences generally valid for 6 months of residence, after which exchange or test is needed.
Sweden#14
Foreign licence usually valid for 1 year after registering as resident; EU/EEA licences can be used longer, others must be exchanged with possible tests.
Norway#15
EU/EEA licences mostly valid; non-EEA licences often valid for up to 3 months (or 1 year in some cases), then exchange or testing required.
Denmark#16
EU licences valid; non-EU licences valid for a limited period (usually up to 90 days–1 year, depending on status), then conversion needed for residents.
Portugal#17
EU/EEA licences widely recognised; many non-EU licences can be used for a short time and may be exchangeable without exam if from listed countries.
Ireland#18
EU/EEA licences valid; some non-EU licences from "recognised states" can be exchanged, others require Irish testing after a limited period.
Poland#19
EU/EEA licences valid; non-EU licences valid but must eventually be exchanged after residence (timing and process defined by Polish law).
Czech Republic#20
EU/EEA licences are valid; non-EU licences accepted for a limited period, then exchange needed for residents (often without test from certain countries).
Hungary#21
EU licences valid; non-EU licences can be used for a limited time then require exchange if staying long-term, subject to reciprocity.
Greece#22
EU licences valid; some non-EU licences can be exchanged without exams, others require Greek testing after a short period of residence.
Turkey#23
Foreign licences (with translation/IDP) typically valid for up to 6 months–1 year; longer-term residents must obtain a Turkish licence.
United Arab Emirates#24
Many visitors can drive on home licence/IDP; residents from approved countries can exchange to a UAE licence, others must attend driving school and pass tests.
Qatar#25
Visitors may drive short-term with foreign licence/IDP; residents must obtain a Qatari licence, sometimes via direct conversion from recognised countries.
Saudi Arabia#26
Visitors can drive short-term with valid foreign or international licence; residents generally need a Saudi licence, with some allowed direct conversion.
Kuwait#27
Expat residents require a Kuwaiti licence; some can convert foreign licences while others must pass written and practical tests; rules tied to residency and profession.
Oman#28
Visitors may drive with foreign licence/IDP; residents usually must obtain an Omani licence, often via practical/theory tests.
Bahrain#29
Visitors can generally drive with foreign licence and/or IDP; residents must obtain a Bahraini licence, sometimes exchangeable from certain countries.
Singapore#30
Foreigners can drive up to 12 months on a valid licence + IDP or translation; long-term residents must convert to a Singapore licence via theory test.
Malaysia#31
Visitors often drive with foreign licence/IDP; long-term residents need a Malaysian licence, often by conversion from selected countries or via tests.
Thailand#32
Visitors can usually drive with a foreign licence + IDP; residents should obtain a Thai licence via Department of Land Transport, often through tests and medical certificate.
Indonesia#33
Visitors may drive with IDP + home licence; long-term foreigners need an Indonesian SIM issued by local police (tests usually required).
Vietnam#34
Foreigners typically cannot rely solely on home licence; IDP recognition is limited; many expats must convert their licence to a Vietnamese one or take tests.
Philippines#35
Short-term visitors can usually drive with a valid foreign licence for 90 days; residents must obtain a Philippine licence via LTO (conversion from some countries is possible).
Japan#36
Visitors can drive with IDP + home licence up to 1 year; residents must convert their licence (gaimen kirikae) through prefectural police; long-term use of only an IDP as resident is not allowed.
South Korea#37
Short-term visitors may drive using IDP + home licence; long-term residents can exchange licences from many countries or must test for a Korean licence.
China (Mainland)#38
Foreign licences and IDPs are not directly valid; foreigners must obtain a Chinese licence (temporary or permanent) via conversion or tests at the Vehicle Management Office.
Hong Kong SAR#39
Visitors can often drive with overseas licence/IDP for up to 12 months; residents may qualify for direct issue of a HK licence or must take tests.
India#40
Visitors may drive with valid foreign licence plus IDP (varies by state); residents must obtain an Indian licence through state transport authority (tests required).
South Africa#41
Visitors may drive with foreign licence (often if in English) or IDP; long-term residents must apply for a South African licence, sometimes via exchange.
Kenya#42
Visitors can drive with foreign licence/IDP for a limited period; residents need a Kenyan licence via NTSA, with some recognition of Commonwealth licences.
Nigeria#43
Visitors may drive short term on foreign licence/IDP; residents must obtain a Nigerian licence through FRSC/state licensing offices.
Mexico#44
Visitors generally allowed to drive with foreign licence/IDP; residents should obtain a Mexican state licence—requirements vary by state.
Brazil#45
Foreigners can usually drive up to 180 days with foreign licence + IDP; after that, a Brazilian CNH is needed via exchange or testing at state DETRAN.
Argentina#46
Tourists can often drive with foreign licence/IDP; residents must obtain an Argentine licence through local municipality, usually requiring medical + theory/practical tests.
Chile#47
Visitors generally can drive with foreign licence/IDP; residents eventually need a Chilean licence via municipal testing; some countries have bilateral agreements.
Colombia#48
Short-term visitors may drive with foreign licence/IDP; residents must obtain a Colombian licence through licensed driving schools and tests.
Costa Rica#49
Tourists can usually drive with foreign licence for up to 90 days (length of legal stay); residents must obtain a Costa Rican licence via COSEVI.
Panama#50
Visitors can generally drive with foreign licence for up to 90 days; residents are required to get a Panamanian licence, sometimes via direct exchange from certain countries.