An international driving permit sounds like an extra driving licence. In practice it is something far more down-to-earth and far more useful: a standardised translation of your Danish driving licence, which makes it possible for police, authorities and car hire companies abroad to decode your categories without language confusion and local interpretations.
What is an international driving permit, and what is it not?
The international driving permit functions as a recognised translation of your Danish driving licence. It can therefore ease checks when you are driving in countries where Danish documents are not readily recognised.
But it is important to understand the limitation: the international driving permit does not replace your Danish driving licence. You must carry your physical Danish driving licence while driving, even if you have an international driving permit in your pocket. Without the Danish driving licence, the international document is effectively toothless.
And a detail many people overlook: the digital driving licence in the driving licence app can be handy in Denmark, but when driving abroad you should expect it to be the physical card that counts.
When do you need it?
EU/EEA and nearby exceptions
In large parts of Europe you can, as a rule, drive on your Danish driving licence without needing to carry an international driving permit. This typically applies to EU and EEA countries, and in addition Switzerland as well as the Faroe Islands and Greenland are also mentioned.
Outside the EU/EEA: here the picture becomes more fragmented
If you travel outside the EU/EEA, an international driving permit may be required, but it depends on the rules in the country you are going to drive in. In some places it is a formal requirement. In other places it is "only" a requirement of the car hire company or an insurance condition that suddenly becomes important when something goes wrong.
The most robust approach is therefore simple: check the requirements of your destination (ideally via the country's embassy or official travel guidance) and have the documentation ready before you are standing at the desk with tired eyes and a reservation that expires in 20 minutes.
If you are driving in several countries on the same trip
If you are planning a route across national borders, you may in some cases need more than one international driving permit (depending on which types are recognised). It sounds cumbersome. It is worse to discover it too late.
Convention types: 1949 and 1968, and why it matters
International driving permits are issued under international conventions. In practice you will mainly come across two variants, often referred to as "1949" and "1968". They may look alike at first glance, but they are not accepted in the same way everywhere.
Example: Japan
Japan is a classic example of the type being decisive: here it is the variant issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention that is used for driving, while the 1968 type is not regarded as valid for the purpose. If Japan is on your travel itinerary, you should therefore make sure you have the correct type.
Practical rule of thumb
If your destination (or car hire company) is specific about the convention type, follow that instruction to the letter. The international driving permit is precisely a document that thrives on formality. There is zero romance here and very little give.
How to get an international driving permit in Denmark
Where do you apply?
You apply in person at Borgerservice (Citizens' Service), and you can, as a rule, turn up at a municipality of your choice. In many places you need to book an appointment in advance. In some municipalities the document can be made while you wait.
What do you need to bring?
- Your physical, valid Danish driving licence
- Driving licence photo (some Borgerservice centres offer photos for a fee, otherwise bring your own)
- Means of payment for the fee
- MitID (if you have it, it may be relevant when you make your enquiry)
Validity and price
An international driving permit is typically valid for 1 year from the date of issue. The fee is set out in the current price lists, and it may change over time. As a reference point, a specific price appears in the official price overview for driving licences.
Small mistakes that can prove costly
- You forget your Danish driving licence: an international driving permit does not work as an independent proof of your right to drive.
- You choose the wrong convention type: in certain countries this can mean refusal at a check or at car hire.
- A photo that does not meet the requirements: an incorrect photo can create extra trips and extra waiting time.
- You assume that "digital" is enough: abroad you should expect the physical driving licence to be the one that is asked for.
A brief piece of advice before departure
Think of the international driving permit as a friction-reducing safeguard. Not dramatic. Just effective. And precisely for that reason: get it sorted in good time, so that you do not have to improvise on the day of departure, when everything is already a logistical exercise.
Legal disclaimer
This article has been prepared as general information and cannot replace specific advice. Rules, practice, prices and document requirements may change, and errors or out-of-date information may occur. You should therefore always check the current rules with Borgerservice in your municipality and with the relevant public authorities, including the municipality's Borgerservice pages and the Danish Road Traffic Authority's official guidance on driving licences abroad, before you act.
Relevant sources (always check the latest version):
Færdselsstyrelsen: Dansk kørekort i udlandet
Københavns Kommune: Internationalt kørekort
Borger.dk: Dansk kørekort i udlandet