What types of international driving permits are there and when do you really need one?
Are you planning to drive beyond the borders of the Czech Republic with your own car or a rental car, and wondering whether your standard Czech driving licence is enough, or whether you need to visit the authorities to get an international version? Preparing the right documents is key to a stress-free trip. In some countries, driving without the required licence can result in a huge fine and, even worse, in the event of an insurance claim, the insurer may refuse to pay.
In this article, we will clearly and thoroughly explain the rules that apply in European countries where you can travel with cars from Taggart, as well as countries you may visit with your own car, because Taggart vehicles are not allowed there.
Where is a standard Czech driving licence enough?
For Czech drivers, Europe is very convenient. In many countries, you do not need an international driving permit at all.
What about the countries where you can travel with cars from Taggart?
Taggart car rental allows travel to the vast majority of European Union countries, with the exception of Bulgaria, Romania and Greece, as well as to three selected European countries outside the EU. Below, you can see how driving licence rules work in these countries.
Within the European Union, national driving licences issued by member states are fully and mutually recognised under EU legislation. Whether you are travelling to neighbouring Germany or Austria, or heading further to Italy, France or Spain, your standard Czech driving licence with the EU logo is sufficient.
Many people are surprised by this, but even after the United Kingdom left the European Union, an agreement remained in place under which British authorities and local police fully accept national driving licences issued by EU countries. For travel to the UK, your Czech driving licence is therefore enough.
Switzerland is another interesting case. Although it is not a member of the EU, it is part of the Schengen area and, based on bilateral agreements with the EU, a Czech driving licence is accepted there without any problems.
Then there is the principality of Monaco, where a Czech driving licence is also sufficient for standard tourist travel. However, it is worth noting that although Monaco’s legislation does not strictly require an international driving permit, some local foreign entities, such as specific French or Monegasque insurance companies or related local services, may require an international driving permit in their internal terms for anyone from outside their territory.
What is the difference between the two types of international driving permits?
If you travel further abroad in the future, to countries where Taggart cars are not used, such as America, Asia or Africa, and where an international driving permit is strictly required, you need to distinguish between two different types.
The Czech Republic is a signatory to two different international road traffic conventions. Each of them defines a different paper document and has a different validity period.
1. International driving permit under the Vienna convention (1968)
An international driving permit issued under this convention is valid for a maximum of 3 years from the date of issue, or less if your national driving licence expires earlier.
This type is valid in countries that have signed the Vienna convention. These include, for example, non-EU Balkan countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania, as well as more exotic destinations such as Thailand, South Africa and Brazil. Please note: the United Kingdom and Switzerland also fall under this convention, but as explained above, thanks to higher-level agreements with the EU, Czech drivers do not physically need the international version there.
2. International driving permit under the Geneva convention (1949)
This type of driving permit is valid for a maximum of 1 year from the date of issue. This Geneva model is required by countries that have not joined the newer Vienna convention. Typical examples include the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Egypt.
Tip: If you are travelling to a country that recognises both conventions, the official will usually issue the permit with the longer validity period, meaning the Vienna convention version valid for 3 years. If you are travelling to several countries with different rules, you must apply for both permits separately.
How and how far in advance should you arrange an international driving permit?
If you find out that you do need an international driving permit for your trip, we have good news: arranging one only takes a few minutes. You do not need to worry about long 30-day processing times.
You can apply for an international driving permit at any municipal authority of a municipality with extended powers, specifically at the transport department or driver register, anywhere in the Czech Republic. You do not have to go to the office in your place of permanent residence. In Prague, for example, you can visit the driver register of Prague City Hall.
Although the permit is issued while you wait, we do not recommend going to the office without an appointment the day before departure, especially during the holiday season, as queues can be long. The administrative fee is only CZK 50.
What should you take with you to the office?
Before you go to the office, make sure you have everything you need. You will need:
- A valid identity document, meaning your ID card or passport.
- A valid national Czech driving licence.
- One printed passport-style photo measuring 3.5 × 4.5 cm. Please note that officials do not use the digital photo system here as they do for ID cards. You must bring a physically printed photo.
- An application for the issue of an international driving permit. You will fill this in directly at the counter. In the application, you must state the countries you intend to visit so that the official can choose the correct type.
If you are travelling around Europe and your list only includes countries where Taggart allows its cars to go, check how much renting a car abroad would cost you. Enter your details in the calculator below. We think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Golden rules for drivers abroad
Many travellers make the serious mistake of showing only their international driving permit to the police abroad. However, without your standard Czech driving licence, the international driving permit is completely invalid. In practice, it is only an official multilingual translation of your driving entitlement. You must therefore always carry both documents with you at the same time.
If your Czech driving licence expires during your trip, your international driving permit automatically becomes invalid as well, even if it shows a longer validity period.
If you are heading to countries permitted under Taggart’s rental terms, meaning western and central Europe, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, you can stop worrying. Your Czech driving licence is a fully valid and reliable travel companion for these routes, as confirmed by thousands of reviews.