Before you hit the road in Ireland, one of the most common questions travelers ask is, “Will my driver’s license work here, or do I need an international permit?” The answer depends on where you’re from – but for many visitors, the answer is ‘yes, you can drive in Ireland with your home license'.

Here’s exactly what you need to know before you travel.

For most travelers, the good news is that driving in Ireland doesn’t require much extra paperwork. If your home license is valid and written in English, you can usually rent a car and drive without any problems.

There are a few exceptions, though – especially for licenses that aren’t in English or come from countries outside the EU or EEA. Knowing the rules before you travel will help you avoid confusion at the rental desk.

Visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom can legally drive in Ireland with their valid driver’s license.

The license must be written in English (or include an English translation), and you can drive for up to 12 months as a visitor without needing any additional permits.

Your license must be in the name of the main driver, not a spouse or travel companion, and it must be valid for the entire duration of your trip.

Pro Tip: Always bring your physical license. Digital copies or photos aren’t accepted by Irish rental companies, and you won’t be able to collect your car without the original card.

If your driver’s license isn’t written in English, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to accompany it. The IDP acts as a translation of your home license, not a replacement for it, so you’ll need to carry both.

Some smaller rental agencies and rural Garda (police) stations may ask for an IDP if your license uses a non-Roman alphabet – such as Japanese, Korean, or Cyrillic.

Drivers with a license issued in the European Union or European Economic Area (EEA) do not need an IDP.

If you do need one, applying for an IDP is quick and inexpensive. In the United States, you can obtain it through AAA or AATA (American Automobile Touring Alliance). The permit is valid for one year and recognized internationally.

Avoid websites claiming to offer “instant” or “online” IDPs – many of those are expensive scams and the IDP won't be accepted by rental agencies or authorities.

Irish rental companies care more about the clarity and validity of your license than where it was issued. The most common problems arise when a license is expired or when the name on the license doesn’t match the name on the credit card used to book the rental.

Pro Tip: If your license will expire soon, renew it before you travel. Even if it’s technically valid when you arrive, a close expiration date can cause unnecessary stress at pickup.

Next in this series, we’ll answer another common question: can you drive your rental car into Northern Ireland or even take it to Scotland? I’ll explain what’s allowed, what’s not, and what to check before you cross the border.

Traveling in Ireland podcast episode 306

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