International driving license. Do you need an international driving license in Europe? Legal advice

Features of the Geneva and Vienna Conventions

The Vienna Convention is an international agreement drawn up by Russia and some European states. Its main goal is to standardize traffic rules to improve road safety. It regulates the following provisions:

• Operating conditions for vehicles, including those equipped with trailers;
• Rules for traveling on public roads;
• Regulations on the use of identification stickers and signs;
• A single form of driving license recognized in countries party to the Vienna Convention.

In accordance with this document, residents of the Russian Federation have the opportunity to cross the borders of neighboring countries (Europe and Asia) in their own transport, using only a domestic driver’s license. But this does not apply to territorial units from the list of the Geneva Treaty, since its regulations only accept rights of an international type.

Use of Russian rights abroad

From the point of view of the law, you can drive in Europe with a Russian license. But when crossing the border, the person driving must:

• Meet the age criterion;
• Have a satisfactory state of health;
• Possess the required category.

At the same time, even with compliance with the above requirements, travel is allowed only to those territories that are supporters of the Vienna Treaty. In countries that are members of the Geneva Convention, a Russian driver's license is welcome only in combination with an international ID.

Countries in which Russian rights are valid

In total, there are about 90 foreign territories where Russians can travel by car with their internal civil license. But the most popular of them are:

In the listed countries, Russian driver's licenses are valid from 1969 to the present day. But when traveling to states from the list of the Geneva Treaty, you should definitely take an international standard crust with you.

In which countries is a Russian ID valid?

Many of our compatriots are interested in: “In which countries are Russian driver’s licenses valid?”

Countries in which a Russian driver's license is valid:

• Republic of Austria;
• Commonwealth of the Bahamas;
• Kingdom of Bahrain;
• Republic of Belarus;
• Kingdom of Belgium;
• Republic of Bulgaria;
• Bosnia and Herzegovina;
• Federative Republic of Brazil;
• United Kingdom Great Britain;
• Hungary;
• Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela;
• Cooperative Republic of Guyana;
• Republic of Ghana;
• Federal Republic of Germany;
• Hellenic Republic;
• Republic of Georgia;
• Kingdom of Denmark;
• Republic of Zaire;
• Republic of Zimbabwe;
• State of Israel;
• Republic of Indonesia;
• Islamic Republic of Iran;
• The Kingdom of Spain;
• Italian Republic;
• The Republic of Kazakhstan;
• Kyrgyz Republic;
• Republic of Costa Rica;
• Republic of Cote d'Ivoire;
• Republic of Cuba;
• State of Kuwait;
• Latvian republic;
• Republic of Lithuania;
• Grand Duchy of Luxembourg;
• Republic of Macedonia;
• Kingdom of Morocco;
• United Mexican States;
• Principality of Monaco;
• Niger Republic;
• Kingdom of Norway;
• United Arab Emirates;
• Islamic Republic of Pakistan;
• Republic of Poland;
• Portuguese Republic;
• Korea;
• The Republic of Moldova;
• Romania;
• Republic of San Marino;
• Republic of Seychelles;
• Republic of Senegal;
• The Slovak Republic;
• Republic of Slovenia;
• The Republic of Tajikistan;
• Kingdom of Thailand;
• Turkmenistan;
• The Republic of Uzbekistan;
• Ukraine;
• Eastern Republic of Uruguay;
• Republic of the Philippines;
• Republic of Finland;
• French Republic;
• Republic of Croatia;
• Central African Republic;
• Czech Republic;
• Republic of Chile;
• Swiss Confederation;
• Kingdom of Sweden;
• Republic of Ecuador;
• Republic of Estonia;
• Republic of South Africa;
• Yugoslavia.

However, Russian tourists who would like to rent cars in some countries, most often in Italy and Greece, have repeatedly encountered refusals from vehicle lessors. And the reason for the refusal was the presence of a national Russian driver's license.

Countries that require an international license

Despite the fact that both conventions are aimed at improving road safety, some countries were very skeptical about this idea and refused to sign both treaties. And the list of these territorial divisions looks like this:

• Australia;
• Algeria;
• Bangladesh;
• Benin;
• Botswana;
• Vatican;
• Haiti;
• Guatemala;
• Egypt;
• India;
• Ireland;
• Kyrgyzstan;
• Malta;
• New Zealand;
• Paraguay;
• Peru;
• Singapore;
• Syria;
• Taiwan;
• Tunisia;
• Fiji;
• Jamaica.

According to the current legislation, crossing the above-mentioned territorial parts by car is allowed only if you have an international driving license. But entry with Russian documents will be punishable by fines (from 150 to 400 euros).

Temporary restrictions on the use of Russian rights in Europe

Having figured out what kind of driver's license is needed in Europe for residents of Russia, let's move on to the second, important issue: time restrictions. In most countries that are members of both conventions, you can drive with a certificate that meets the regulations of the Russian Federation for six months. The exceptions are:

• Belarus, Czech Republic and Norway - in the listed territories, the Russian crust is valid for only 90 days;
• Bulgaria, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, France and Sweden - in these countries you can drive without a foreign driver's license for a year.

This information is especially useful for those citizens who cross the European border not for travel purposes, but with permanent residence permits.

Practical advice on obtaining an international driving license

1. Before choosing the traffic police department, you should find out whether they issue licenses.
2. Traffic rules abroad may differ from local ones; ignorance will not protect the driver from fines.
3. The replacement of the card is carried out after 3 years, in the same order as registration. It is recommended to change your international license after the expiration date or in advance. It is prohibited to use an expired document.
4. If a driver, driving a car in Russia, was able to provide only an IDP, without a main driver’s license, he will be fined 500 rubles.
5. Persons who received the 2021 XIV may not order its translation into foreign languages. A DDP allows you to move freely in most countries and rent a car.
6. Registration of a document at the MFC takes the longest – from 3 to 9 days. At the traffic police, the period is reduced to a few minutes, provided that the application was submitted on the State Services website.

You can obtain an international license in a short period of time without leaving your own home. Having spent a small amount and 1 day of personal time, the user receives the legal right to travel in a personal car anywhere in the world.

What punishment can you face for violating the convention?

When driving with a Russian license in Europe, the driver automatically bears responsibility not only under foreign traffic rules, but also under an international treaty, for violation of which a citizen of the Russian Federation may face:

• An impressive fine of 50 to 800 euros (according to the severity of the crime);
• Forced deportation (applied in case of malicious violation of traffic rules);
• Restriction of freedom (a last resort for people who have committed an accident in which there are injuries or deaths).

Based on this, it turns out that ignoring the requirements of the contract is not the best choice. After all, because of this person, serious problems will arise and further travel on the roads of countries that are members of the conventions will be closed to her.

Features of the use of Russian rights in some countries

Knowing which driver's license is valid in European countries is not enough. Indeed, due to certain circumstances, the following additional conditions may apply to the driver of the Russian Federation:

• In addition to the internal civil certificate, you must have with you a translation into the state language, signed by a notary;
• Driving on the roads of countries that signed the Vienna Treaty is only permitted if you have a new type of license.

Where exactly such measures are applied, and in what cases, we will consider below.

Italy

According to current legislation, Russians do not need international rights in Italy. But if we are not talking about personal transport, but about a rented car, then the above-mentioned crust will not be enough to obtain it. After all, many Italian rental car companies often deviate from the Vienna Convention for the sake of their own safety. The only exception in such cases may be motorists with extensive driving experience.

Spain

If you believe the Vienna Treaty, then a Russian driver’s license in Spain has the same legal force as an international driving license. But when it comes to renting a vehicle, new requirements arise for a resident of the Russian Federation:

• The rights claimed must have been obtained in a country that is not a member of the European Union;
• When paired with a Russian driver's license, the car enthusiast is required to provide rental car representatives with an official translation into the domestic language;
• If you have a short experience, a certificate of international format is added to the listed rules.

Such requirements are supported by the general regulations and cannot be challenged in a local court.

Cyprus

Unlike the first two countries, Cyprus has a completely opposite system. If, according to the Geneva Treaty, a Russian driver must have two mandatory certificates with him: a Russian Federation driving license and an international certificate, then he can only get a car for rent on the territory of this state upon presentation of the first document. The only thing that the legislation is really strict about is temporary restrictions on the rights of the motorist.

Greece

The most difficult situation regarding Russian drivers, as well as citizens of the old USSR, is observed in Greece. After all, it is here that in order to rent a car you will be required not only to have a valid Russian Federation document and an international driving license, but also a foreign passport. And the reason for such tightening of rencar rules was the disappointing statistics of road accidents over the past 2 years, when tourists refused to compensate for losses.

When to apply for an international certificate

It is quite logical that relations between countries in the field of road traffic are regulated by international legal acts. Two documents are devoted to this issue - the Geneva and Vienna Conventions. By studying them, you can understand whether international rights are needed in Europe and other countries of the world.

To make it easier to find an answer to the question of where it is not forbidden to travel with a national ID, and where you will definitely need an IDP, you can divide the countries of the world into three groups. The first will include the signatories of the Vienna Convention. States that have concluded it must allow persons to drive with their national documents.

And to find out which countries require an international driving license, you need to read the Geneva Convention. Because this document just stipulates that everyone, going on a trip behind the wheel, must take not only a national, but also an international certificate. But this is enough for him to become an authorized participant in traffic. That is, no one can demand additional papers from the motorist, as well as undergo training or pass exams.

But sometimes an international driver’s license abroad does not help. Because there are states that have not signed either the Geneva or Vienna Conventions. This means that when traveling you need to prepare to pass exams to obtain a local license.

Is it possible to rent a car?

Russians do not always leave the country in a personal vehicle. It is often more convenient and profitable to rent a car. And then the question arises: on what terms is it possible to rent a car abroad? What rights are needed for this?

It is impossible to answer it unequivocally. Because it all depends on the place where exactly the trip is planned. Moreover, even in the same country, different rental companies can set their own conditions. But it is quite logical that in a country where an international driver’s license is required to drive a vehicle, they will be asked to present it when concluding a rental agreement.

In countries where Russian national IDs are valid, you can do without an IDP. However, travelers have different experiences. The best reinsurance would be to search in advance for a rental company via the Internet, where you can find out the required licenses and other documents. Today it’s easy to find a car anywhere on the planet and even sign a contract in advance.

Türkiye is one of the most popular destinations among Russians. And there you can rent a car on favorable terms. What rights are needed to rent a car in Turkey is an important question for a number of our fellow citizens who prefer to travel around Asia. And the answer to it cannot but cause joy. Because experience shows that you can go to a rental company with a Russian driver’s license.

What you need to rent a car in Europe

In most European countries, you can rent a car in three available places: official companies, independent brokers or specialized hotels. In this case, the list of necessary documents for such manipulation will be the same:

• Bank card (required to freeze additional funds in case of force majeure);
• A new type of Russian Federation certificate (according to the Vienna Convention, you can travel around Europe only with such rights. The old certificate will need to be exchanged in advance before traveling abroad);
• VU international format (not in all countries);
• International passport or valid visa (in extreme cases).

In addition, the customer will have to pay a state fee of 1,600 rubles. And if this procedure was carried out outside the rental car company, then the transaction receipt will need to be added to the listed papers.

As you can see, Russians do not have any particular problems with moving around European countries. But if you do not adhere to the requirements of conventions, as well as foreign traffic regulations, then the situation can change dramatically. Therefore, before crossing the border, familiarize yourself with the rules of the relevant state.

How to get an international license?

An international driver's license is quite easy to obtain, both in terms of collecting documents and in terms of time spent.

Instructions on how to obtain an international driving license?

List of documents for obtaining an IDP:

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1. Russian driver's license;
2. Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
3. Foreign passport (not necessary, but it is recommended to take it);
4. Medical certificate confirming readiness to drive transport;
5. Photo - 1 piece, format 3.5 x 4.5 cm;
6. Receipt for payment of duty, 1600 rubles.

With a package of documents, you go to the traffic police department of your city (it is advisable to check which departments issue the IDP) and after spending no more than 1 hour, you will receive an international license.

TIP: registration of international rights will be easier and faster if you use the State Services portal in advance (30% discount on state fees).