Most visitors don't need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to hire a car at Heathrow. If your driving licence is from the EU/EEA, or is a full licence written in English using Roman characters (as most US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand licences are), the major rental companies at Heathrow generally accept it on its own. If your licence is written in a different script or language, you'll likely need an IDP, or a certified translation. The exact rule is set by the rental company, not just by law, so always check with your specific firm before you fly. Checked 2026.
The legal position: driving on a foreign licence in Great Britain
Under UK rules, a visitor with a valid full foreign driving licence can drive a car (up to 3.5 tonnes, up to eight passenger seats) in Great Britain for up to 12 months from the date they arrive, without needing to exchange it or get a GB licence. This legal permission doesn't by itself require an International Driving Permit; whether you additionally need one depends on which country issued your licence. The UK government's own online checker (gov.uk, "Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence") lets you check your specific situation by entering your licence's country of issue.
Why the rental company's rule matters more than the bare legal minimum
Car hire firms set their own, often stricter, requirements than the legal minimum, because they're the ones liable if a rented car is driven by someone whose licence can't be properly verified. Two patterns show up consistently across the major UK rental brands:
- A full, valid licence held for at least one year is required by every major firm, regardless of nationality.
- If your licence is written in a different language and character set to English, most firms require an International Driving Permit alongside it, or in some cases a certified translation. A licence from a country not party to international IDP agreements may need a certified translation instead of an IDP.
Enterprise's own UK rental terms, for example, state that a licence written in a language and character set different to English requires an International Driving Permit in addition, and recommend checking with local authorities since fines are possible for non-compliance. Hertz's rental terms similarly list "any necessary international driver's permits" as part of its baseline documentation requirement, alongside a licence held for a minimum of one year.
So do you actually need one?
As a rough guide, based on how the major UK rental brands apply their rules in practice:
- EU/EEA licence: No IDP typically required.
- US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand or similarly English/Roman-script licence: Most major firms (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Sixt) do not require an IDP for these, though always confirm with your specific booking, since policies can be updated.
- A licence in a non-Roman script (for example Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Cyrillic, or Thai) or a language other than English: an IDP, or a certified translation, is generally required. Check your rental confirmation and the rental company's own licence requirements page before you travel.
- Any licence with endorsements, a provisional status, or that's digital-only rather than a physical card: check directly with the rental firm before booking; several UK brands explicitly state digital licences aren't accepted.
How to get an IDP before you travel
If your home licence suggests you'll need one, apply for an International Driving Permit in your own country before travelling to the UK; the process and cost vary by issuing country. There are three IDP types in use (1926, 1949, 1968) depending on which international convention your country is party to, and the correct one for driving in Great Britain generally isn't the issue for inbound visitors, since the UK accepts any of the recognised IDP types for driving here. Don't wait until you land at Heathrow to sort this out: an IDP needs to be obtained in your home country, not at the airport.
Practical steps before you hire a car at Heathrow
- Check your specific rental company's driving licence requirements page before booking, since the rule that applies to you depends on their policy, not a single UK-wide law.
- Bring your physical licence, not a photo or digital version, as several major UK rental firms explicitly reject digital licences.
- If in doubt, get an IDP anyway. It's inexpensive and quick to obtain in most countries, and it removes any risk of being refused a car at the rental desk.
- Ask about cross-border travel separately. If you plan to drive from the UK into another country, rental firms often have additional notice requirements and may charge extra, regardless of your IDP situation.
FAQs
Do US citizens need an International Driving Permit to hire a car at Heathrow?
Generally no, since a US licence is in English using Roman characters, and most major UK rental firms accept it without an IDP. Always confirm with your specific rental company before travelling.
Do I need an IDP if my driving licence isn't written in English?
Likely yes. Major UK rental firms generally require an International Driving Permit, or a certified translation, if your licence is in a different language and character set to English.
How long can I legally drive in Great Britain on a foreign licence?
Up to 12 months from the date you arrive, on a valid full ordinary licence, without needing to exchange it for a GB licence.
Is the IDP requirement a UK law or a rental company rule?
Both play a part. UK law determines how long you can drive on a foreign licence and whether an IDP is legally required for your country of issue; separately, rental companies set their own, often stricter, documentation requirements that you must also meet to be allowed to drive their car.
Can I get an International Driving Permit once I've landed at Heathrow?
No. An IDP needs to be obtained from the relevant issuing authority in your home country before you travel; it isn't available to buy or apply for at the airport.
Does an EU driving licence need an IDP to hire a car at Heathrow?
No. EU and EEA driving licences are typically accepted by UK rental firms without an IDP.