Brits driving in Spain urged to check if they need £6 permit before hiring car

Hiring a holiday car can make your trip much easier and more accessible, especially if you are staying somewhere a little more remote. However it's important to know the rules of the road in the country you're in, and if you need permits or not.

Spain is a popular holiday spot for Brits due to its balmy weather and frequent flights that only take a few hours. But now people are being urged to check if they need permits before hiring a car according to the DVLA.

You may need an international driving permit (IDP) as well as other paperwork and passport checks for motorists heading abroad. The permit you may need depends on which country you're visiting and how long you're staying too. You also need to have a valid GB driving licence to get an IDP, and paper licences cannot be accepted.

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This document makes sure that you're legally allowed to drive in countries that may not recognise or allow your UK driving licence. Make sure you're covered for your next trip and avoid fines and legal issues by applying for an IDP before you travel.

If driving, you must always have your driving licence with you as well as your IDP, and if you are visiting Spain, you may be caught out.

While the DVLA states that in Spain "You do not need an IDP. If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP.”

So while it's not a requirement for the country, certain car hire companies may still require one for motorists. It costs £5.50 to buy and if you have a full UK driving licence - either a photocard or paper version - you can apply for an IDP at PayPoint stores.

There are three types of IDPs, each of these offer different levels of coverage for specific countries. It’s important that you choose the right one for your destination(s). The 1949 IDP is the most common, but if you’re planning to drive in countries like Italy or the USA, you may need the 1926 or 1968 versions.

IYou do not need an IDP to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK.

You might need an IDP to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have either: a paper driving licence, a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man. But it's always advised to check with the embassy of the country you will be driving in.

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