IDP International Driving Permit 2026 | Apply, Fee, Fake IDP

The IDP (International Driving Permit) is an international driving license translation document under the UN Convention on Road Traffic, used together with your domestic license in other contracting countries.

The IDP is not a standalone license; it must be presented with your domestic license to be valid.

To apply for an IDP in Malaysia:

1. Go to a JPJ counter or automobile association (AAA/AMM)

2. Bring your domestic license, passport, and 2 passport photos

3. Fill out the form and pay a fee of RM150

4. Receive it on the same day or within a few days

The IDP is valid for 1 year; after expiry, you need to reapply.

It cannot be renewed; you must submit a new application.

Most are fake. Common "International Driving Permits" (small white booklets) on Taobao are often issued by IAA (International Automobile Association) or KIDA, which are not UN-recognized IDP issuing bodies.

Only IDPs issued by government-designated bodies (such as Malaysia's JPJ) are legal and valid. Using a fake IDP abroad may be treated as driving without a license.

The IDP is valid in contracting countries of the Road Traffic Convention, including most European and American countries, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore.

However, some countries (such as China) do not recognize the IDP and require a local license exchange. See IDP recognized countries for details.

IDL stands for International Driving License, which in Malaysia typically refers to the International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by JPJ. It is a multilingual translation document used alongside your domestic license to legally drive overseas. Malaysia's JPJ issues IDPs under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic; holders must carry their valid domestic license at the same time.

No. Malaysia's JPJ regulations state that holders of a P license (Probationary Driving Licence) cannot apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP). The IDP is only issued to holders of a full Competent Driving Licence (CDL). P license holders who need to drive abroad must first complete the probationary period and obtain a full license before applying for an IDP.

Yes. Holders of Malaysia's Competent Driving Licence (CDL) can apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) from JPJ to drive overseas. The IDP must be carried together with the CDL, is valid for 1 or 3 years (depending on the application type), and must be applied for within Malaysia before departure. Some countries also directly recognize Malaysia's CDL, but it is advisable to confirm the destination's requirements in advance.

No. The International Driving Permit (IDP) is only a translation document and must be presented together with a valid domestic driving license (such as the Malaysian CDL) to be effective. Using the IDP alone has no legal force and cannot prove driving qualification. When driving abroad, be sure to carry both the original IDP and the original domestic license for inspection by traffic police.

The International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by Malaysia's JPJ is available in two validity periods: 1 year and 3 years, selectable at the time of application. The fees are RM150 (1 year) and RM300 (3 years) respectively. The IDP validity cannot be extended; a new application is required upon expiry. Note that the IDP validity cannot exceed the validity of the domestic license—if the license expires first, the IDP also becomes invalid.

The IDP issued by Malaysia, based on the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, can be used in over 100 signatory countries worldwide, including most European countries, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and others. However, not all countries recognize it—for example, mainland China does not recognize the IDP. Before traveling, it is advisable to check whether the destination country recognizes the Malaysian IDP, or consult that country's embassy in Malaysia directly.

No. The IDP issued by Malaysia is only valid when paired with a Malaysian domestic license (CDL) and cannot be used with a Chinese license. Mainland China has not joined the 1949 Geneva Convention and therefore does not recognize international IDPs. If a Chinese citizen drives in Malaysia, they must hold a valid Malaysian license or convert it through specific procedures; likewise, if a Malaysian uses an IDP to drive in China, it is not recognized.

There is no direct relationship. The IDP is a driving permit document and is unrelated to visa type. However, holders of short-term tourist visas can typically drive in countries that recognize the IDP using the IDP and their domestic license; for those with long-term visas or residence permits, some countries may require a local license within a certain period. It is recommended to confirm driving eligibility in advance based on the destination's regulations and your visa type.

As a Special Administrative Region of China, the license issued by Hong Kong's Transport Department is widely recognized, mainly because Hong Kong is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (extended via the UK) and can issue International Driving Permits (IDPs). Additionally, the Hong Kong license itself has mutual recognition agreements with many countries (such as the UK, Australia, Canada, etc.), and the license is bilingual in Chinese and English, making it easy to identify internationally, which is why it appears to be 'globally accepted.'

Not accurate. The Malaysian IDP, based on the 1949 Geneva Convention, can be used in over 100 signatory countries, but not 150+. The actual number is approximately 100–110, and it does not include non-contracting parties such as mainland China or India. Some non-contracting countries may unilaterally recognize the IDP, so it is advisable to verify the specific list of countries via the JPJ official website or the destination's embassy before traveling.

False. The IDP must be used together with a valid domestic license (such as the Malaysian CDL); without a domestic license, one cannot apply for an IDP. JPJ strictly verifies the applicant's license status when issuing an IDP, and the IDP indicates the corresponding license number. If the domestic license is revoked or expires, the IDP automatically becomes invalid. Do not believe any advertisements claiming an IDP can be obtained without a domestic license—this is illegal.

Partially correct. According to JPJ regulations, tourists holding a valid foreign driving license may drive within 90 days of entry without an international driving permit, provided the license is in English or accompanied by an English translation. However, if the license is not in English, an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a certified Malay/English translation is required. Those staying beyond 90 days or holding long-term visas must convert to a Malaysian license.