Do I need an international driving permit with a Canadian licence? Every country (2026)
With a Canadian driver's licence, the official advice of the Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca) says you need an international driving permit in 70 countries and territories, you do not need one in 7, it depends in 42 (usually on how long you stay or on hiring a car), it is recommended in 80, and a local licence or permit is needed in 20; it says nothing about permits for 9 (last checked 28 October 2026).
- 70IDP needed
- 7no IDP needed
- 42it depends
- 100recommended or local permit
Rules change, and car hire companies can ask for more than the law. We quote the official travel advice word for word, with its date; this is information, not legal advice. If you are unsure, ask the embassy of the country you are visiting, your car hire company or your travel insurer before you travel.
Most searched with a Canadian licence
AustraliaRecommendedAustriaIt dependsBarbadosRecommendedBrazilRecommendedChinaLocal permit neededFranceIt dependsGermanyIt dependsGreeceNo IDP neededHong KongRecommendedIcelandRecommendedIndiaIDP neededIndonesiaIDP neededIrelandRecommendedItalyIt dependsJamaicaIt dependsJapanIDP neededMalaysiaIt dependsMexicoRecommendedNetherlandsRecommendedNew ZealandRecommendedNigeriaIDP neededNorwayRecommendedPakistanRecommendedPhilippinesRecommendedPolandIDP neededPortugalIt dependsQatarIt dependsRomaniaIt dependsSerbiaRecommendedSouth KoreaIDP neededSpainIDP neededSri LankaLocal permit neededSwitzerlandIt dependsTurkeyRecommendedUnited Arab EmiratesIt dependsUnited KingdomIt dependsUnited StatesNo IDP neededVietnamLocal permit needed
Every country and territory
Each answer quotes the official sentence that decides it. “It depends” means the official text sets a condition (length of stay, hiring a car, a translation, the region); “Not stated” means the official advice for that country says nothing about permits. “Type” is shown only where the the Government of Canada page names the convention (1926, 1949 or 1968). Click a country for the full official text.
| Country or territory | IDP? | Type | Official wording | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan Islamic Republic of Afghanistan | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Albania Republic of Albania | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Algeria People's Democratic Republic of Algeria | IDP needed | – | “To drive in Algeria, you must have the following: a valid Canadian driver’s licence; an international driving permit; International Driving Permit” | 28 October 2026 |
| American Samoa | It depends | – | “You can drive using a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 30 days.” “You must carry an international driving permit if you plan on driving in American Samoa for more than 30 days.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Andorra Principality of Andorra | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Angola Republic of Angola | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Anguilla | Local permit needed | – | “The international driving permit is not recognized in Anguilla.” “purchase a temporary driving permit” | 28 October 2026 |
| Antarctica | Not stated | – | – | 28 October 2026 |
| Antigua and Barbuda Antigua & Barbuda | Local permit needed | – | “The International Driving Permit is not recognized in Antigua and Barbuda.” “You must bring your Canadian driver’s licence to purchase a temporary local driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Argentina Argentine Republic | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Armenia Republic of Armenia | IDP needed | – | “You need an international driving permit or an Armenian driver’s license to drive in Armenia.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Aruba | Recommended | – | “Canadian driver's licenses are accepted.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Australia | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Austria Republic of Austria | It depends | – | “You can drive for up to 12 months with your valid Canadian driver's licence, accompanied by an international driving permit or an official German translation of your licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Azerbaijan Republic of Azerbaijan | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Bahamas Commonwealth of the Bahamas · The Bahamas | Recommended | – | “You can drive in The Bahamas with your valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 90 days.” “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Bahrain Kingdom of Bahrain | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Bangladesh People's Republic of Bangladesh | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Barbados | Recommended | – | “You can drive in Barbados with a valid Canadian driver’s licence.” “You should carry an International Driving Permit if your licence is not in English.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Belarus Republic of Belarus | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Belgium Kingdom of Belgium | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Belize | Recommended | – | “You can drive in Belize with your valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 3 months.” “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Benin Republic of Benin | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit to drive in Benin.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Bermuda | No IDP needed | – | “You can drive these using a valid Canadian driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Bhutan Kingdom of Bhutan | Not stated | – | – | 28 October 2026 |
| Bolivia Bolivia, Plurinational State of · Plurinational State of Bolivia | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit to rent or drive a vehicle.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Caribbean Netherlands | Recommended | – | “Canadian driver’s licenses are accepted.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia · Bosnia & Herzegovina · Bosnia-Herzegovina · Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Botswana Republic of Botswana | IDP needed | – | “To drive in Botswana, you must have: … an international driving permit” “You can drive in Botswana with a Canadian driver’s licence for up to 90 days.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Brazil Federative Republic of Brazil | Recommended | – | “You can drive in Brazil with a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 180 days.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| British Virgin Islands Virgin Islands, British | It depends | – | “If you are staying less than 30 days, you can use your Canadian driver’s licence. Otherwise, you must obtain a local temporary driving permit to drive in the British Virgin Islands.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Brunei Brunei Darussalam | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Bulgaria Republic of Bulgaria | It depends | – | “You can drive with a Canadian driver’s licence for up to 90 days after your arrival.” “You must carry an international driving permit for longer stays.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Burkina Faso | IDP needed | – | “To drive in Burkina Faso, you must have: a valid Canadian driver's license; an international driver's license; International Driving Permit” | 28 October 2026 |
| Burundi Republic of Burundi | IDP needed | – | “You must have an International Driving Permit along with your valid Canadian driver’s licence and proof of insurance to drive in Burundi.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Cambodia Kingdom of Cambodia | Local permit needed | – | “You must have and carry a Cambodian driver's licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Cameroon Republic of Cameroon | IDP needed | – | “To drive in Cameroon you must have an International Driving Permit along your valid Canadian driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Cape Verde Cabo Verde · Republic of Cabo Verde | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Cayman Islands | Local permit needed | – | “A visitor’s driving permit is required to drive in the Cayman Islands.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Central African Republic | IDP needed | – | “To drive in the Central African Republic, you must have an International Driving Permit along your valid Canadian driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Chad Republic of Chad | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Chile Republic of Chile | Recommended | – | “You can drive with your valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 90 days.” “However, you should still carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| China China mainland · Mainland China · People's Republic of China | Local permit needed | – | “Canadian and international driving licences are not recognized in China.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Colombia Republic of Colombia | No IDP needed | – | “Your driver’s license will be accepted within your permitted length of stay.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Comoros Union of the Comoros | IDP needed | – | “You must carry the International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Cook Islands | Recommended | – | “You can drive in the Cook Islands with your Canadian driver's licence.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Costa Rica Republic of Costa Rica | It depends | – | “You can drive with your valid Canadian driver’s licence in Costa Rica for up to 180 days, or the length of the stay granted on your entry stamp.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Côte d'Ivoire Cote d'Ivoire · Ivory Coast · Republic of Côte d'Ivoire | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Croatia Republic of Croatia | Recommended | – | “As a tourist or temporary resident, you can drive with a valid Canadian driver's licence.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Cuba Republic of Cuba | Not stated | – | – | 28 October 2026 |
| Curaçao Curacao | Recommended | – | “Canadian driver’s licenses are accepted.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Cyprus Republic of Cyprus | Recommended | – | “You can use your valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 6 months.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Czechia Czech Republic | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo Congo - Kinshasa · Congo, Democratic Republic of the · Congo, The Democratic Republic of the · DR Congo · DRC · Democratic Republic of Congo | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Denmark Kingdom of Denmark | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Djibouti Republic of Djibouti | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit” | 28 October 2026 |
| Dominica Commonwealth of Dominica | Local permit needed | – | “You must also purchase a temporary Dominican driving permit, which is valid for 30 days.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Dominican Republic | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Ecuador Republic of Ecuador | Recommended | – | “You can drive up to 6 months with your valid Canadian driver’s licence.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Egypt Arab Republic of Egypt | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| El Salvador Republic of El Salvador | It depends | – | “You can drive with your valid Canadian driver’s licence for the first 90 days authorized for your stay in the country.” “If you plan to travel between countries, you must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Equatorial Guinea Republic of Equatorial Guinea | IDP needed | – | “As a traveller, you must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Eritrea the State of Eritrea | Local permit needed | – | “To drive in Eritrea, you must have a local driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Estonia Republic of Estonia | It depends | – | “You can drive in Estonia with your valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 12 months.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Eswatini Kingdom of Eswatini · Swaziland | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Ethiopia Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia | IDP needed | – | “You can drive in Ethiopia with your Canadian driver’s licence alongside an International Driving Permit (IDP) for up to 45 days.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Falkland Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) | Recommended | – | “You can drive with a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 12 months from your date of entry.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Fiji Republic of Fiji | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Finland Republic of Finland | Not stated | – | – | 28 October 2026 |
| France French Republic | It depends | – | “You can drive with your valid Canadian driver’s licence for the first year of your stay in France.” | 28 October 2026 |
| French Guiana French Guyana | Recommended | – | “You can drive with your Canadian license for up to 3 months.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| French Polynesia | It depends | – | “You can drive for up to 1 year with a valid Canadian driver’s licence.” “If your licence is not in French, you must provide an official translation or have an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Gabon Gabonese Republic | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit that must be used along with a Canadian driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Gambia Republic of the Gambia · The Gambia | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Georgia | Recommended | – | “Furthermore, an International Driving Permit is recommended as some car rental agencies or insurance providers may require it.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Germany Federal Republic of Germany | It depends | – | “You can use your valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 6 months.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Ghana Republic of Ghana | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Gibraltar | Recommended | – | “You can drive with your valid Canadian driver’s licence as a tourist.” “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Greece Hellenic Republic | No IDP needed | – | “As a tourist or temporary resident, you can drive with a valid Canadian driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Greenland | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit” | 28 October 2026 |
| Grenada | Local permit needed | – | “To drive in Grenada, you must have a local driver’s licence.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Guadeloupe | IDP needed | – | “You can drive with a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 6 months.” “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Guam | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Guatemala Republic of Guatemala | Recommended | – | “You can drive in Guatemala with your valid Canadian driver’s licence.” “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Guinea Republic of Guinea | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Guinea-Bissau Republic of Guinea-Bissau | It depends | – | “If you are Canadian and hold a valid Canadian driver’s licence, you can drive for a maximum of 3 months.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Guyana Republic of Guyana | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit (IDP).” | 28 October 2026 |
| Haiti Republic of Haiti | Recommended | – | “You may use your Canadian driver’s licence to drive in Haiti for up to 3 months.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Honduras Republic of Honduras | It depends | – | “You may drive in Honduras with your valid Canadian driver license for up to 3 months.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR · Hong Kong SAR China · Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China | Recommended | – | “As a tourist, you can use your valid Canadian driver's licence for up to 12 months.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Hungary | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Iceland Republic of Iceland | Recommended | – | “You can drive in Iceland with your Canadian driver’s licence for up to 6 months.” “You should also carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| India Republic of India | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Indonesia Republic of Indonesia | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit along with your Canadian driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Iran Iran, Islamic Republic of · Islamic Republic of Iran | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Iraq Republic of Iraq | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Ireland | Recommended | – | “You can drive with a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 12 months in Ireland.” “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Israel State of Israel | Recommended | – | “You may drive in Israel using your Canadian driver’s license for up to 12 months.” “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Italy Italian Republic | It depends | – | “You may drive for up to one year with a valid Canadian driver’s licence, accompanied by an international driving permit or a certified Italian translation of your licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Jamaica | It depends | – | “You can drive in Jamaica with a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 6 months.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Japan | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit along with your Canadian licence, or a Japanese driver's licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Jordan Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Kazakhstan Republic of Kazakhstan | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Kenya Republic of Kenya | It depends | – | “You can drive in Kenya with a Canadian driver's licence for up to 90 days from your date of entry.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Kiribati Republic of Kiribati | It depends | – | “You can drive in Kiribati with an international driving permit or a domestic driver’s license for up to two weeks.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Kosovo | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Kuwait State of Kuwait | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyz Republic | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Laos Lao PDR · Lao People's Democratic Republic | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Latvia Republic of Latvia | It depends | – | “You can drive in Latvia with your valid Canadian driver’s licence for one year.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Lebanon Lebanese Republic | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Lesotho Kingdom of Lesotho | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Liberia Republic of Liberia | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Libya | Not stated | – | – | 28 October 2026 |
| Liechtenstein Principality of Liechtenstein | It depends | – | “You can drive with a valid Canadian driver’s licence in Liechtenstein.” “However, you may require an International Driving Permit to meet the requirements of some car rental agencies.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Lithuania Republic of Lithuania | It depends | – | “You can drive in Lithuania with your valid Canadian driver’s licence for 90 days.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Luxembourg Grand Duchy of Luxembourg | IDP needed | – | “You can drive using a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 12 months.” “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Macao Macao Special Administrative Region of China · Macau | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Madagascar Republic of Madagascar | It depends | – | “You can drive in Madagascar with your Canadian driver’s licence or with an international driving permit (IDP) for up to 3 months.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Malawi Republic of Malawi | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit” | 28 October 2026 |
| Malaysia | It depends | – | “Canadian driver’s licenses are valid in Malaysia and can be used locally for a period of 3 months.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Maldives Republic of Maldives | Local permit needed | – | “A local driving permit is required to drive in the Maldives. International driving licences are not permitted.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Mali Republic of Mali | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Malta Republic of Malta | Recommended | – | “You may drive up to one year with a valid Canadian driver’s licence.” “However, you should still carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Marshall Islands Republic of the Marshall Islands | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Martinique | It depends | – | “You can drive with a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 6 months.” “Your licence must meet one of the following conditions: be written in French; be accompanied by an official translation recognized in France; be accompanied by an International Driving Permit” | 28 October 2026 |
| Mauritania Islamic Republic of Mauritania | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Mauritius Republic of Mauritius | It depends | – | “You can drive in Mauritius with a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to four weeks.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Mayotte | It depends | – | “You may drive in Mayotte with a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 6 months.” “After that period, you must have an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Mexico United Mexican States | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Micronesia Federated States of Micronesia · Micronesia, Federated States of | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Moldova Moldova, Republic of · Republic of Moldova | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Monaco Principality of Monaco | It depends | – | “You can drive in Monaco with a Canadian driver’s licence for up to 12 months.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Mongolia | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Montenegro | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit” | 28 October 2026 |
| Montserrat | Local permit needed | – | “You need a temporary visitor’s licence to drive a car in Montserrat.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Morocco Kingdom of Morocco | Not stated | – | – | 28 October 2026 |
| Mozambique Republic of Mozambique | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Myanmar Burma · Republic of Myanmar | Local permit needed | – | “Canadian driver's licences and international driving permits are not recognized in Myanmar. It's illegal to drive without a Myanmar driver's licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Namibia Republic of Namibia | Recommended | – | “You may drive in Namibia with your valid Canadian driver’s licence, provided it is in English.” “However, and particularly if your licence is in French, it is strongly recommended that you obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Canada before your departure, since it cannot be obtained once in Namibia.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Nauru Republic of Nauru | It depends | – | “You can drive up to 30 days with a valid Canadian driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Nepal Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Netherlands Holland · Kingdom of the Netherlands | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| New Caledonia | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| New Zealand | Recommended | – | “You can drive in New Zealand with your Canadian driver license for up to 12 months.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Nicaragua Republic of Nicaragua | No IDP needed | – | “You can drive in Nicaragua with a valid Canadian driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Niger Republic of the Niger | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit along your valid Canadian driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Nigeria Federal Republic of Nigeria | IDP needed | – | “To drive in Nigeria, you must have: a valid Canadian driver’s licence; an international driving permit” | 28 October 2026 |
| Niue | Local permit needed | – | “You must obtain a local driver’s licence from the police department to drive in Niue.” | 28 October 2026 |
| North Korea Democratic People's Republic of Korea · Korea, Democratic People's Republic of · Korea, North | Not stated | – | – | 28 October 2026 |
| North Macedonia Macedonia · Republic of North Macedonia | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands · Northern Marianas | Recommended | – | “You can drive in the Northern Mariana Islands for 30 days using a valid Canadian driver’s licence.” “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Norway Kingdom of Norway | Recommended | – | “You can drive in Norway with your Canadian driver’s licence for up to 3 months.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Oman Sultanate of Oman | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Pakistan Islamic Republic of Pakistan | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Palau Republic of Palau | IDP needed | – | “You can drive for 30 days with an international driving permit and a valid Canadian driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Panama Republic of Panama | Recommended | – | “You can drive in Panama with your Canadian driver’s licence for a period of up to 90 days.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Papua New Guinea Independent State of Papua New Guinea | IDP needed | – | “You must always carry the following when driving: valid driver’s licence and International Driving Permit; valid registration; safety sticker” | 28 October 2026 |
| Paraguay Republic of Paraguay | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Peru Republic of Peru | No IDP needed | – | “As a tourist, you may use your Canadian driver's licence for the duration of your authorized stay.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Philippines Republic of the Philippines · The Philippines | Recommended | – | “You can drive in the Philippines with a valid Canadian driver's licence for up to 90 days.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Poland Republic of Poland | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Portugal Portuguese Republic | It depends | – | “You can drive using a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 185 days, as long as you are not a resident of Portugal.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Puerto Rico | Recommended | – | “You can drive in Puerto Rico with a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 90 days.” “If your Canadian driver’s licence is not in English, it is recommended you carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Qatar State of Qatar | It depends | – | “You can drive in Qatar with your Canadian driver's license for up to 7 days.” “You must carry an international driving permit if you plan to drive beyond 7 days in the country.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Republic of the Congo Congo · Congo - Brazzaville · Congo, Republic of the | IDP needed | – | “You must have an International Driving Permit along with your valid Canadian driver’s licence to drive in the Republic of the Congo.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Réunion Reunion | It depends | – | “You may drive in Réunion with a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 6 months.” “After that period, you must have an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Romania | It depends | – | “You may use your valid Canadian driver’s licence to drive or to rent a vehicle in Romania for up to 6 months.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Russia Russian Federation | It depends | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” “You may drive with a Canadian driver’s licence if you carry a notarized Russian translation.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Rwanda Rwandese Republic | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Saint Barthélemy Saint-Barthélemy · St Barts · St. Barthélemy | It depends | – | “You can drive in Saint-Barthélemy with a valid Canadian driver's licence for a stay of up to 90 days.” “If you have a student visa, you can drive with your Canadian licence for the duration of your studies, under certain conditions.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts & Nevis · St Kitts and Nevis · St. Kitts & Nevis · St. Kitts and Nevis | Local permit needed | – | “You need a local driving permit to drive in Saint Kitts and Nevis.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Saint Lucia St Lucia · St. Lucia | Local permit needed | – | “You need a temporary permit to drive in Saint Lucia.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Saint Martin (French part) Saint Martin · St. Martin | No IDP needed | – | “You may use a Canadian driver’s license to drive in Saint Martin.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon · St. Pierre & Miquelon | It depends | – | “As a tourist, you can drive with a valid Canadian driver's licence for up to 90 days.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent & the Grenadines · St Vincent and the Grenadines · St. Vincent & Grenadines · St. Vincent and the Grenadines | Local permit needed | – | “You must have a local driver’s licence to drive in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Samoa Independent State of Samoa | Local permit needed | – | “If you wish to drive in Samoa, you must obtain a temporary driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| San Marino Republic of San Marino | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| São Tomé and Príncipe Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe · Sao Tome and Principe · São Tomé & Príncipe | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Saudi Arabia Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Senegal Republic of Senegal | It depends | – | “You can drive with a valid Canadian driver's licence for a period of 90 days.” “Beyond this period, you must have an international driver's licence, accompanied by your valid Canadian driver's licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Serbia Republic of Serbia | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit” “You can drive in Serbia with a Canadian driver’s license for up to 90 days.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Seychelles Republic of Seychelles | IDP needed | – | “To drive in Seychelles, you must have the following: a valid Canadian driver’s license; an international driving permit” | 28 October 2026 |
| Sierra Leone Republic of Sierra Leone | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit to drive in Sierra Leone.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Singapore Republic of Singapore | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Sint Maarten Sint Maarten (Dutch part) | Recommended | – | “You may use a Canadian driver’s license to drive in Sint Maarten.” “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Slovakia Slovak Republic | IDP needed | – | “To drive in Slovakia, you must have the following: a valid Canadian driver’s licence; an international driving permit” | 28 October 2026 |
| Slovenia Republic of Slovenia | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Solomon Islands | Local permit needed | – | “You must obtain a local driver’s licence to drive in the Solomon Islands.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Somalia Federal Republic of Somalia | Not stated | – | – | 28 October 2026 |
| South Africa Republic of South Africa | Recommended | – | “While you may drive in South Africa with your valid Canadian driver’s license, it is strongly recommended to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Canada before your departure, since it cannot be obtained once in South Africa.” | 28 October 2026 |
| South Korea Korea · Korea, Republic of · Republic of Korea | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit or a South Korean driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| South Sudan Republic of South Sudan | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Spain Kingdom of Spain | IDP needed | – | “You can drive in Spain with your valid Canadian driver’s licence and an international driving permit for up to 6 months.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Sri Lanka Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka | Local permit needed | – | “If you plan to rent a car, you must bring your Canadian driver’s licence or an International Driving Permit issued outside Sri Lanka. You will then need to obtain a temporary driver’s licence or a recognition certificate from one of the following: the permit counter at Bandaranaike International Airport; the Automobile Association of Ceylon in Colombo; the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) in Werahera” | 28 October 2026 |
| Sudan Republic of the Sudan | IDP needed | – | “To drive in Sudan, you must have an International Driving Permit along with your valid Canadian driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Suriname Republic of Suriname | Local permit needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” “You need a local driver’s permit to drive in Suriname.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Sweden Kingdom of Sweden | Recommended | – | “A Canadian driver’s licence can be used to drive in Sweden for up to one year.” “You should also carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Switzerland Swiss Confederation | It depends | – | “You can drive with your Canadian license for up to 12 months.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Syria Syrian Arab Republic | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Taiwan Taiwan, Province of China | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Tajikistan Republic of Tajikistan | IDP needed | – | “To drive in Tajikistan, you must have the following: a valid Canadian driver’s licence; an international driving permit” | 28 October 2026 |
| Tanzania Tanzania, United Republic of · United Republic of Tanzania | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit alongside your Canadian driver’s licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Thailand Kingdom of Thailand | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit or a Thai driver's licence to drive in Thailand.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Timor-Leste Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste · East Timor | IDP needed | – | “You may drive with a valid Canadian driver’s licence and an International Driving Permit for up to 3 months.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Togo Togolese Republic | Recommended | – | “You may use your valid Canadian driver’s licence to drive in Togo.” “However, it is recommended to carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Tokelau | Not stated | – | – | 28 October 2026 |
| Tonga Kingdom of Tonga | It depends | – | “You can drive using a Canadian driver’s licence for up to 12 months.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Trinidad and Tobago Republic of Trinidad and Tobago · Trinidad & Tobago | It depends | – | “If you plan to stay beyond 90 days, you should apply for an International Driving Permit prior to arrival in Trinidad and Tobago.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Tunisia Republic of Tunisia | Recommended | – | “You can drive in Tunisia with a valid Canadian driver's licence.” “You should have an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Turkey Republic of Türkiye · Turkiye · Türkiye | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Turkmenistan | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Turks and Caicos Islands Turks & Caicos Islands · Turks and Caicos | It depends | – | “You can drive using a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 30 days.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Tuvalu | Recommended | – | “You can drive in Tuvalu with a valid Canadian licence.” “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Uganda Republic of Uganda | Recommended | – | “An International Driving Permit is recommended.” “You can drive using a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 90 days from the date of entry into Uganda.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Ukraine | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit” | 28 October 2026 |
| United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi · Dubai · UAE | It depends | – | “You must carry an international driving permit to drive and rent a car in the UAE, except in Dubai where you can use your Canadian driver’s license.” | 28 October 2026 |
| United Kingdom Britain · England · Great Britain · Northern Ireland · Scotland · UK · United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland · Wales | It depends | – | “You can drive with a valid Canadian licence for up to 12 months from your date of entry.” | 28 October 2026 |
| United States America · The United States · US · USA · United States of America | No IDP needed | – | “You can drive in the United States if you have a valid Canadian driver’s license.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Uruguay Eastern Republic of Uruguay | It depends | – | “You may drive in Uruguay with your valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 6 months.” | 28 October 2026 |
| US Virgin Islands U.S. Virgin Islands · United States Virgin Islands · Virgin Islands (U.S.) · Virgin Islands of the United States · Virgin Islands, U.S. | Recommended | – | “You can drive in the U.S. Virgin Islands with a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 90 days.” “If your Canadian driver’s licence is not in English, it is recommended you carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Uzbekistan Republic of Uzbekistan | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Vanuatu Republic of Vanuatu | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Venezuela Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela · Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of | Recommended | – | “You should carry an international driving permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Vietnam Socialist Republic of Viet Nam · Viet Nam | Local permit needed | – | “Vietnam does not recognize Canadian drivers licences or International Driving Permits issued in Canada.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Yemen Republic of Yemen | IDP needed | – | “You must carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Zambia Republic of Zambia | It depends | – | “You can drive in Zambia for up to 90 days with a valid Canadian driver’s licence.” “If you intend to stay longer, you must obtain an International Driving Permit or a Zambian driving licence.” | 28 October 2026 |
| Zimbabwe Republic of Zimbabwe | Recommended | – | “You should carry an International Driving Permit.” | 28 October 2026 |
Where to get an international driving permit
The Government of Canada says:
Contact the Canadian Automobile Association for a Canadian International Driving Permit application form.
The IDP is valid for only 1 year from the date of issue.
Your IDP will only allow you to operate a vehicle in the same class as your Canadian driver’s licence.
Source: travel.gc.ca, International Driving Permit, page modified 28 May 2026, checked on 28 October 2026.
Hire a car
Hiring a car abroad? Compare rental companies and prices on DiscoverCars. Check the licence and IDP rules for your country in the table above before you book: the rental desk can refuse your booking without the right permit.
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How we read the official advice
For Canadian licences we read the “Driving” part of the “Laws and culture” section of the Government of Canada travel advice for each destination, through the official open data files. “Must carry an international driving permit” is “IDP needed”; “should carry” is “Recommended”. More on the About page. Spotted a change? Tell us.