Travel warning for Brits hiring a car abroad to avoid being arrested

Summer holiday season is gearing up. You're either excited as the days count down to your big week or two abroad, or you're desperately trying to find a last minute bargain.

But while we look forward to our holidays to get away from real life for a fortnight or so, you still have to follow important rules when it comes to jetting off.

Whether that's the new £97 rule for anyone heading to Spain or following strict departure rules on a cruise ship, rules are rules.

And one rule could see you arrested if you don't follow it, with a fresh warning issued over the rule today (15 April) by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

What rule could get you arrested if you don't follow it?

You might not have even heard of it depending on where you've travelled to before.

But it's an essential part of journeying overseas if your trip depends on you hiring a car.

You obviously need to take your full driving licence abroad with you if you're driving a car overseas, but that's not all you'll need.

We're talking about an International Driving Permit, or an IDP as you might see them referred to across the internet or in documentation.

Many of us hire cars when we head overseas. (Getty Stock Images)

What is an IDP and when do you need one?

It's not a universal thing when it comes to needing an IDP.

For starters, you'll never need one to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK.

You might need an IDP to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have either a paper driving licence or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

There are three types of IDPs called a 1926, 1949, and 1968.

Make sure your documents are correct. (Getty Stock Images)

What happens if you don't get an IDP?

Don't do it, basically.

According to the official IDP website, the outcome could be a fine.

Ultimately, you could be arrested and the car seized as you are technically driving in another country without legal permission to do so.

The website says: "Penalties can range from a fine to a citation. Without an IDP, a driver is therefore driving without a valid license and if stopped, highway patrols may seize the vehicle and arrest the driver or give him/her a citation for a mandatory court appearance."

Which IDP do I need?

"The IDP you need depends on what country you’re visiting," the DVLA says.

"If you’re travelling through more than one country, you might need more than one type of IDP. If the country you’re visiting is not included in the table, check with the embassy of the country you’re travelling to.

"If you’re hiring a car, check with your car hire company."

If you already have an IDP, just make sure it’s still valid in the country you’re visiting.

Hire cars are popular with Brits. (Getty Stock Images)

Changes in how to get an IDP

As of 1 April this year, you can now only get an IDP via one specific outlet.

The DVLA said in a post on X: "Travelling abroad this summer and planning to drive? Don’t forget, how you get an international driving permit has changed!

"Since 1 April 2024, IDPs are exclusively available from participating PayPoint stores across the UK."

You can do that here.

People hire cars to make their experiences that little bit more personable. (Getty Stock Images)

Full list of countries that require IDPs

1968 IDP

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, French Polynesia, Georgia, Guyana, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, North Macedonia, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UAE, Uzbekistan, Uruguay, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

1949 IDP

Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Congo, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eswatini, Fiji, Ghana, Quam, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Macao, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Namibia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, St Vincent, Syria, Taiwan, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, USA, Vatican City, Venezuela

1926 IDP

Mexico, Somalia

No IDP required

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland