Why Is Everyone Talking About International Driving?

Everyone is talking about International Driving, including my little cousin. She has been driving on and off for almost a decade now, but as someone who doesn’t live in a country that allows her to drive on the road with licensed drivers – I am still very intrigued by what this entails. In this article, I’ll be going over how it’s possible for someone to obtain a driver’s license in the United States or another country outside of their home country and some of the pros and cons of doing so.

What do you understand by International Driving?

International Driving is when someone who has a license in one country comes to another country, takes a class to learn the road laws, then takes some sort of exam in order to be able to legally drive on roads that other people are also driving on. In other words, if you wanted to drive in the States, for example, you would take whatever classes are required by your own home country’s law (usually only written and practical tests) and then take a Driver’s Ed course in the United States. Then at some point, you would have either apply for an American license or gotten insurance and gotten out on the road.

What other countries offer International Driving?

The United States, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, and South Africa are the most common countries to get International Driving. The United Kingdom has something similar that is commonly referred to as a “Learner’s Permit.” However, in most of these countries, there are no requirements for getting on the road. In other words, if you have passed your written test in your home country and have a license from there – you can apply for an American one without having to take any extra classes. In regards to Ireland and New Zealand however, they require people visiting from other countries with foreign licenses to take a short course in order to practice on their road.

How do I get International Driving?

International Driving usually happens the same way you would get a license to drive in your home country. It starts with taking a written and/or practical test in order to prove that you can read and write. Sometimes, other countries will require that you complete a course of a certain length (such as 30 hours) as well. Once this is done, you are able to apply for an International Driving Permit, which is the equivalent of your home country’s driver’s license.

How much does International Driving cost?

It varies by country, but in general, the classes you need to take cost between $100 and $300. The tests themselves (written and/or practical) usually cost $20 or less. The International Driving Permit costs around $30 or so. There’s no fixed cost per country, however, since the classes are required by law and not a third party.

What is an International Driving Permit?

An International Driving Permit is exactly what it sounds like – a permit that allows you to drive on other countries’ roads. The difference is that your home country’s license doesn’t have to be present, nor do you have to have any additional licenses. You don’t need an International Driving Permit in order to get on the road in your home country though, so this is something extra that you can apply for.

What is the difference between an International Driving Permit and a Driver’s License?

An International Driving Permit is a special document that has the same information as your home country’s license. It does not have to be produced when you are pulled over, nor does it need to be carried around with you. A Driver’s License grants you permission to drive on the road in your home country and usually comes with the same rights that people who are citizens of that country have (like voting). Both of these documents grant you permission to drive on other countries’ roads though, so one isn’t better than the other – it really just depends on your needs.

Conclusion:-

International Driving is not a new concept. Intuitively, it makes sense that you have to take courses in order to learn the road laws and get on the road for other countries. However, now more than ever does this needs to be considered because of how incredibly globalized the world is becoming. It’s no longer uncommon for people from different countries to study at the same colleges, work together, and even live together without any major problems. In order to keep roads safe, it needs to be common knowledge that having a driver’s license in another country doesn’t automatically mean that you can get behind a wheel.