If you plan to drive on your next trip, an international driving permit is often the piece of paper that makes it possible. For Singaporeans hiring a car in Europe, Australia, Japan or beyond, the international driving permit, usually shortened to IDP, is a widely recognised translation of your local licence that many countries and car hire firms ask to see. It is straightforward to obtain and inexpensive, yet many travellers only discover they need one at the rental desk, when it is too late. This guide explains what an IDP is, how to get one in Singapore, and how to use it correctly. It is general information to help you plan, not legal advice.
Below we cover what the permit actually is, who issues it here, how you apply, and how acceptance varies from country to country.
What an international driving permit is
An IDP is best understood as an official translation of your existing driving licence, not a licence in its own right. It presents your driving details in several languages and in a standard format that police officers and car hire staff around the world can read, even if they cannot read your home licence. That is its whole purpose: to let officials in another country understand what you are permitted to drive.
Because it is only a translation, an IDP is not valid on its own. You must hold a current, valid local driving licence, and you carry the two documents together. The IDP is issued to eligible licence holders in the country where they are licensed, so a Singapore driver obtains a Singapore issued IDP based on a valid Singapore licence. IDPs are also temporary, issued for a limited period, so you generally obtain one before a trip rather than holding one indefinitely.
Who issues the IDP in Singapore
In Singapore the international driving permit is issued by the Automobile Association of Singapore, commonly known as the AAS. The AAS is the recognised authority for issuing IDPs to eligible Singapore licence holders, so this is where you apply rather than through a car hire company or a general government counter.
To be eligible you need to hold a valid Singapore driving licence. Because the exact requirements, application steps, processing times and fees are set by the AAS and can change, you should always check the current details directly with the AAS before you apply, rather than relying on what a friend did a few years ago. Treat this guide as a map of the process, and let the AAS give you the precise, up to date figures.
How to apply
The application itself is usually simple, and knowing what to prepare makes it smoother. In general terms, expect to provide the following, though you must confirm the exact list with the AAS.
- Your valid Singapore driving licence.
- Proof of identity, such as your NRIC or passport.
- Recent passport style photographs, to the size the AAS specifies.
- A completed application and the applicable fee.
Applications may be possible in person or through the channels the AAS offers, and processing can take anywhere from same day collection to several working days, so do not leave it to the night before you fly. Apply with a comfortable buffer, ideally a couple of weeks ahead, so a small delay or a missing photo does not derail your plans. Once issued, check that your name and details are correct on the spot, and note the validity period so you know how long the permit lasts.
How you use it abroad
The key habit to build is carrying both documents. When you drive overseas you generally keep your IDP and your original Singapore licence together, and you present both when hiring a car or if you are stopped by the police. Handing over only the IDP, without the local licence that backs it, can leave you without valid authority to drive.
Keep the two documents somewhere safe but accessible, such as your wallet or the car’s glovebox while driving, and consider keeping a photo of each on your phone as a backup in case of loss. Remember that the IDP does not change the driving rules of the country you are visiting; you must still drive on the correct side of the road, obey local speed limits and follow local law. It simply lets the authorities there understand your entitlement to drive.
Acceptance varies by country
This is the part travellers most often overlook: an IDP is widely recognised, but it is not universally required or accepted in the same way everywhere. Some countries expect an IDP from all foreign drivers, some accept your Singapore licence on its own for short visits, and some recognise only certain versions of the IDP because they are based on different international agreements. A car hire company may also have its own policy that is stricter than the local law, and it is the hire desk that hands you the keys.
Because of this, always verify the requirements for your specific destination well before you travel. The table below shows the general idea, not a country by country ruling.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Hiring a car overseas | Check the hire company’s document policy in advance |
| Visiting a country new to you | Confirm whether an IDP is required or optional |
| Driving in several countries on one trip | Verify acceptance in each country separately |
| Unsure which IDP version applies | Ask the AAS and the destination’s authorities |
The two authorities to rely on are the AAS, for what it can issue and the version you will receive, and the official road transport or embassy sources of the country you are visiting, for what that country actually requires. When these two agree, you can drive with confidence.
A calm final word
Getting an international driving permit is one of the easier bits of trip admin, and it buys you real freedom on the road, from a coastal drive in Australia to a countryside loop in Japan. Apply early through the AAS, carry the permit together with your valid Singapore licence, and verify the rules for each destination before you go. Do that, and the only thing left to plan is the route. Since requirements and acceptance can change, confirm the current details with the AAS and your destination’s authorities, and treat this article as a helpful overview rather than the final word.