- The Post Office's last date to sell IDPs in branches was 31 March 2024, according to its own help page.
- GOV.UK: get an IDP in person from certain shops that have PayPoint, for £5.50.
- Three permit types exist: 1926, 1949 and 1968.
- With a UK photocard licence you do not need an IDP to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
What changed at the Post Office
For years a Post Office counter was the usual place to buy an IDP, which is why many people still search for it. The Post Office's help page says it is no longer selling them and that the last date to buy one in a branch was 31 March 2024. A permit bought there before that date stays valid until its own expiry date, and the page says permits could be forward-dated by up to 3 months but not backdated. For anything newer it sends you to GOV.UK.
Where to go now
- Open GOV.UK's international driving permit page and find your destination in its country table, which lists more than 150 countries and territories with the permit type each needs.
- Note whether you need one permit or several. GOV.UK warns that travelling through more than one country might mean more than one type.
- Use the PayPoint shop finder that GOV.UK links to, and go to a participating shop in person. The fee is £5.50.
- Take your valid GB or Northern Ireland driving licence with you; the permit depends on it.
The part of the GOV.UK page we read does not state what else to bring or how long each type lasts, so check the shop finder and the current page before you travel instead of relying on a summary.
Do you need one at all?
| Your situation | GOV.UK says |
|---|---|
| UK photocard licence, driving in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein | No IDP needed |
| Paper licence | Update it to a photocard licence, or get an IDP |
| Already hold an IDP | Make sure it is still valid in the country you are visiting |
| Anywhere you drive abroad | Always carry your driving licence as well as the IDP |
Fakes dressed as the Post Office
Because the Post Office stopped, an offer to post you a "Post Office" IDP, or to sell an "international licence" without any licence behind it, does not match any service described by either body. The official permit is a translation that goes with a licence you already hold, costs £5.50 and is bought in person. A site charging a different price and posting it is not that. For the fake-permit pattern see fake international driving permits, and for the difference between types see 1949 against 1968.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still buy an IDP at the Post Office?
No. The Post Office says the last date to buy an IDP in its branches was 31 March 2024. GOV.UK now points to certain shops that have PayPoint instead.
How much is an international driving permit?
£5.50 on GOV.UK (checked 5 October 2026), bought in person from a participating PayPoint shop.
Is my old Post Office IDP still valid?
The Post Office says IDPs bought at a branch before 1 April 2024 stay valid until their expiry date. Check that the type still suits the country you are visiting.
Do I need an IDP in Europe?
Not for the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a UK photocard licence, according to GOV.UK. A paper licence needs updating to a photocard or an IDP.
Is an IDP a driving licence?
No. You must always have your driving licence with you as well as the IDP, and you cannot get an IDP without a valid GB or Northern Ireland licence.