Summarised: Getting an IDP in the UK

UK international driving permit document showing expiry date and official seal on wooden surface.

Eligibility for an IDP in the UK

Hold a valid UK driving licence – You need a full UK driving licence, not a provisional or expired one.

Be at least 18 years old – You must be 18 or older to apply for an IDP.

Be a UK resident – You should be a resident in the UK to apply for an IDP through UK authorities.


Know the Types of IDPs


The most common type for UK residents is the 1968 IDP

Prepare Your Documents

Valid UK driving licence


Passport-sized photograph: A recent, passport-style photo (this is needed for the IDP application).


Payment: The cost of an IDP is £5.50


Where to Apply (In person)

Find the closest shop which has Paypoint and does IDP. 

You can find out where to get it here from the official Paypoint website. 

Once you are there and have all your needed documents it only takes a few minutes to get set up.

Don't get scammed online!


I personally recommend getting your IDP in person, please don't be tempted by websites offering instance IDPs online. They cost 3 to 4 times more than they should and from my research and reading reviews, they are fake documents. It is possible to apply for an IDP by post, but this involves posting your passport and waiting a couple of weeks. 


Not every shop that has a Paypoint Sign will Issue IDP


The simplest way to locate a shop that issues an IDP is through the Paypoint website. Avoid relying on Google Maps by searching for just "Paypoint," as many stores display the PayPoint sign but don’t actually offer the service. For example, the location I visited was a Co-op. When I arrived, it wasn’t immediately clear where to go, so I asked a staff member for assistance. They quickly found someone who could issue the IDP, and the entire process took only about five minutes.


In the past, the Post Office issued IDPs, but they no longer provide this service



When driving in foreign countries, you will need to carry both your UK driving licence and your IDP. The IDP is meant to accompany your UK licence, not replace it. Always keep both documents together while driving abroad.

How to rent a scooter (legally) in Vietnam

How to Drive Legally in Vietnam with an International Driving Permit (IDP)

To drive legally in Vietnam, obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) is the easiest route. The Vietnamese government officially recognized the IDP in 2014 and signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, which allows drivers from countries that have also signed this convention to drive legally in Vietnam.

If you're a tourist (staying less than 3 months), you'll need to carry both your valid home country driver’s license and an IDP to drive in Vietnam legally. The IDP must be from a country that is a signatory of the 1968 Vienna Convention. Without these, you could face penalties.

For those staying longer than 3 months (long-term residents), you must convert your home country license into a Vietnamese driver’s license to continue driving legally.

Mandatory Third-Party Insurance

It is illegal to operate a vehicle in Vietnam without mandatory third-party insurance. This insurance protects you and others in case of accidents or damage. If you're a vehicle owner, you are responsible for purchasing this insurance. For renters, always confirm that the rental agency provides proof of valid insurance before you drive.

Driving without valid third-party insurance not only puts you at risk legally, but it may also invalidate any other insurance coverage you have. Fortunately, purchasing third-party insurance is affordable and simple, making it easy to comply with the law and stay protected on the road.

An open ID document with vehicle diagram icons and a photograph lying on a wooden table.

You cannot drink at all and then drive in Vietnam


The legal blood alcohol limit in Vietnam is... ZERO. You cannot drink at all and drive in Vietnam. It is illegal. I want to emphasize this because you might come across outdated information online suggesting a permissible blood alcohol level. However, as of January 1, 2020, the Vietnamese government enacted a strict law stating that no driver may have any amount of alcohol in their system.

This change came in response to the widespread issue of drunk driving, which has been deeply ingrained in the culture. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol is linked to about 40% of road traffic accidents in Vietnam. The government is now addressing this problem with tough measures, including heavy fines, vehicle confiscations, and even prison sentences.

While these measures are beginning to have an effect, it will likely take at least a generation to completely change the driving culture. For now, the safest and smartest choice is to avoid drinking if you're planning to drive.

Speeding: A Serious Risk You Can't Ignore


Getting caught for speeding in Vietnam is all too easy, and the consequences can be severe. It’s crucial to stay aware of speed limits and always be on the lookout for traffic cameras, police roadblocks, or mobile speed checks.

Remember, cars and motorbikes have different speed limits. Don’t assume that if you’re following a car in a residential area, you’re driving at the correct speed. This can easily lead to a speeding ticket.


Fines for speeding have been rising rapidly, and they can quickly escalate into the millions of VND. In some cases, your vehicle could even be impounded. Stay vigilant, follow the speed limits, and pay attention to your surroundings to avoid costly penalties.

Speed Limits for Motorbikes

A motorcyclist rides past the Gothic St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi, Vietnam with its twin spires and ornate facade.

Residential Areas:

Two-way roads with a central divider or one-way roads with at least two lanes for motor vehicles: Maximum speed is 60 km/h.​


Two-way roads without a central divider or one-way roads with only one lane for motor vehicles: Maximum speed is 50 km/h

Outside Residential Areas:

Dual Carriageways; one way dual carriageways with at least 2 lanes – 70km/h

Two way traffic roads; one way roads with one lane – 60km/h


Expressways

Generally, motorcycles and scooters are prohibited from entering expressways in Vietnam

Road Signs


Here are a few common road signs from Vietnam—it's a good idea to take a quick look and make sure you're familiar with all of them.

Set of nine triangular road warning signs showing curves, bends, road narrows, and T-junction indicators in red and yellow colors.
Collection of nine yellow and red warning triangular road signs for cyclists, construction, falling rocks, aircraft, animals and bridges.
Collection of triangular yellow and red road warning signs showing various traffic symbols and intersections.
Warning road signs showing traffic signal, railroad crossing, and junction indicators in yellow and red triangular shapes.
A collection of triangular warning road signs showing junction, priority, bridge, and tram symbols in yellow and black.
Set of nine triangular warning signs showing hazards like draw bridges, ferries, underpasses, and slippery road conditions.
Nine triangular hazard signs warning of falling rocks, crosswinds, weak roads, expressways, electrical hazards and tunnels ahead.
Grid of nine yellow and red triangular warning road signs showing various hazards including embankments, floods, slopes, and crossings.
Collection of railway and traffic warning signs showing distance beacons and obstruction indicators.
Collection of yellow triangular warning signs showing traffic congestion, railroad crossings, accident zones and slow speed alerts.
Traffic sign collection showing overpass route symbols and a lane reserved for cars on blue circular backgrounds.
Set of mandatory blue circular road signs including directional arrows, speed limits, and turning instructions.
Transportation signs indicating reserved lanes for vehicles and motorcycles, plus tunnel entrance and exit markers.
Collection of traffic signs including priority roads, one-way streets, and bus lane indicators in blue and yellow.
Collection of traffic signs showing dead ends, parking, U-turns, bus lanes, and directional signs in blue and yellow colors.
Collection of blue Vietnamese road signs showing turning areas, bus lanes, boundary markers, and pedestrian crossing warnings.
Road sign icons showing traffic directions, residential areas, historical sites, and amenities in Vietnam with text in English.
Blue and white Vietnamese traffic and guidance signs showing police, tram, car wash, telephone, market and highway information.
Group of road signs including parking, dead ends, priority traffic, and directional indicators in blue and yellow designs.
Traffic and informational signs including zone markers, pedestrian crossings, vehicle check stations, and service indicators.
A collection of blue traffic signs showing bus stops, walking paths, first aid, repair shops, tram stations and construction warnings.
A collection of nine Vietnamese road and highway signs showing various traffic directions and regulations in blue, green and yellow colors.
A collection of Vietnamese highway road signs showing directions, distances, and toll plaza information in blue and green colors.
Three road signs including a yellow toll payment sign, a speed reduction warning, and a green exit sign with arrow.