What is the difference between an International Driving Permit (IDP) and an International Driving License (IDL)?

An International Driving Permit is a small grey booklet slightly bigger than a passport containing a translation of your original driving license in 10 languages, including English, French, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, and Spanish. It is recognized by 141 countries worldwide and is valid for one year.

On the other hand, an International Driving License is not a legal document and cannot be used to drive in foreign countries or instead of an IDP.

How does an IDP work in the Czech Republic?

An International Driving Permit serves alongside your original driver’s license, translating your information into a worldwide-accepted format.

Visitors with a driving license issued within the EU are permitted to drive in Czech without an IDP, although it is still highly recommended to have one anyway.

How do I get an International Driving Permit for the Czech Republic?

Obtaining an IDP for your trip to the Czech Republic can be done online easily through our website. All applicants must be a minimum age of 18 and hold a valid driving license from their home country. Applicants will need to fill out an application form and submit the following documents:

Valid foreign license
An ID document, such as a passport
A passport-sized photo
Debit/credit card

To keep the application process easy and fast, ensure all documents submitted are valid and up to date so we don’t have to send back your application or request additional information, slowing down the process.

How much does an IDP cost?

You can find our prices on our pricing page.

How long does it take to get an IDP?

A digital IDP takes up to 2 hours to land in your inbox. Alternatively, if you want a faster processing time, you can choose an Express Order, in which you will receive your IDP in 20 minutes.

A printed IDP can be delivered to your doorstep, with the estimated delivery date varying between 2-30 days, depending on the selected delivery method.

United Nations agreement on road traffic

The United Nations Road Traffic Agreement is an agreement that was made between UN countries to implement and authorize the use of IDPs in the current 150 countries. These agreements were made throughout three UN Road traffic conventions – Pairs in 1926, Geneva in 1948, and Vienna in 1968. The IDPs being issued are named after these conventions that implemented their use.

Another decision implemented during these conventions was the authorization of other automotive organizations to issue IDPs on behalf of the government. This makes getting an IDP more accessible and convenient, with companies like ours being authorized.

Benefits Of Carrying An IDP In the Czech Republic

Legal requirement

The most obvious benefit of carrying an IDP while visiting the Czech Republic is its legal requirement to do so for most tourists who wish to drive while staying in the country. Any tourist who does not have an IDP when required will not be permitted to drive.

Drivers with a European Union Driving license are not legally required to have an IDP to drive in the Czech Republic.

Functionality as an ID

IDPs are a convenient travel document as it doubles as identification documents. This is advantageous if you want to keep your passport under lock and key due to security considerations. An IDP can be used instead of a national ID card, especially if your national ID card is in a language that is not internationally used.

Quicker traffic authority stops

Traffic police may have trouble deciphering your driver’s information on your license during a routine traffic stop. Having an IDP ensures that officers can quickly note down your particulars and send you on your way. This may be especially handy during the unfortunate event of an emergency or motor misfortunes.

Car rental companies

Car rental companies worldwide require you to have an International Driving Permit and a valid driving license to rent a car. This is due to the United Nations recognizing an IDP as a valid driving permit. Having an IDP will ensure that your valuable vacation time isn’t wasted on trying to convince a conservative car rental agency of the validity of your foreign driver’s license.

Driving Requirements For Non-citizens

Short-term visitors vs. long-term stay

Tourists who intend on staying in the Czech Republic for three months or less are permitted to drive as long as they hold an IDP and a valid domestic driver’s license.

Any person is staying longer than three months or intending to make the Czech republic their permanent residence will need to obtain a Czech driving license to continue driving here.

When Do I Need To Get A Driver’s License in the Czech Republic

Anyone who has stayed in the Czech Republic for longer than three months will be required to obtain a Czech driving license.

If the driving license has been issued from a country that the Czech republic allows to transfer the license over to a Czech driving license (such as EU citizens), the applicant will need to complete the following steps:

Obtain an application form at the information register of the driver registers offices.
You will need to submit the completed application form and a form of identification such as a passport, one 35 x 45 mm photo, and a foreign driving license to the office to have a Czech driving license issued.

If a tourist holds a driver’s license issued by a country that is not permitted to swap a foreign license for a local license in the Czech Republic, they will need to apply for a driving license. To do this, follow these steps:

Take part in a driving school in the Czech Republic and submit a legal medical certificate stating you are fit and healthy enough to drive.
Gather the following documents upon course completion: Temporary residence permit, certificate of study or work employment, a tenancy agreement or proof of home ownership, identification, passport-sized photos, and the applicant’s previous driver’s license.
Once the above steps have been completed, submit all of the documents to a local Licensing office or Prague, and then be issued a Czech driving license.

Renewing your IDP or Driving license in the Czech Republic

Only tourists are permitted to drive in the Czech Republic for up to 3 months, and an IDP cannot be renewed to be used hereafter that period has expired. However, a tourist may wish to renew their IDP to drive to another foreign country from the Czech Republic. To do this, contact the IDP issuer to have a renewal sent to the provided address.

Any person obtaining a Czech Driving Licence will need a valid driving license to do so. If a person’s driving license is nearly expired, they will need to renew it first. Contact a motor licensing office in the country of issue to have a renewed license sent out.

Vehicle Rental In the Czech Republic

Czech Republic has one of the best train transportation services among EU countries, making traveling relatively easy. However, thanks to the affordability of car rental companies here, many tourists opt to rent a car to explore all of the Czech Republic.

With so much to offer here and the ability to travel very easily to other EU countries, car rental remains very common for tourists in the Czech Republic.

Renting vehicles in the Czech republic

The freedom of travel time is one of the most popular reasons, so many tourists choose to rent a car while visiting the Czech republic. Having complete control of when and how the travel is done is a huge benefit of renting a car.

Like many other European Countries, the Czech Republic has an abundance of well-known car rental companies to choose from. Large companies such as Hertz, Avis, and Budget all operate within the Czech republic, and local car rental companies such as hire car Prague in operation, tourists have a vast choice when it comes of car rental in the Czech Republic.

Documents required

All rental car agencies will require international drivers to submit the following documents to obtain a rental car:

Provide their foreign license
An IDP
Id, such as a passport
Debit/credit card for payment
Vehicle rental costs

All drivers who wish to obtain a rental car in the Czech republic must be a minimum age of 21.

Rental car costs

The cost of renting a car will vary depending on several factors such as the size and type of car being requested, any additional requests such as GPS, wifi or car seats, insurance required, and the driver’s age (young driver’s fee).

A young driver’s fee is an additional fee that applies to all drivers aged between 21-25. These fees can be pricey and are mainly added due to the increased insurance risk associated with novice drivers driving on unfamiliar roads.

Typically, car rental can start at around $31 per day up to $90 per day, depending on the abovementioned factors.

Vehicle insurance

All cars being driven in the Czech Republic are required by law to have valid insurance. A minimum policy of the third party, fire, and theft, is allowed, which will protect the other vehicle in the case of an accident and cover your car in the case of fire or theft.

Often, car rental companies will require drivers to purchase additional insurance, such as Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver, to protect the rental car as well fully. It is always recommended tourists get the full insurance policy available to avoid paying hefty damage fees in the case of an accident.

Hire car driving tips

Shop around online between the many companies available to get the best value for money when renting a car. Whenever possible, it is advised to reserve the car in advance to avoid any disappointment on the day if the vehicle is no longer available.
Drivers are advised to ensure the car is adequately insured before driving; if not, it is the named driver’s responsibility to get the vehicle insured. More often than not, car hire companies have insurance included already.
Always ensure all components such as tires, seat belts, and supplied car seats are in good working order before accepting the car. Note and notify the company of any previous damages or makes on the vehicle so as not to be held personally responsible for damages you didn’t ensure.

Driving And Safety In the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has a good road quality standard and is generally considered a safe enough place to drive. The road accident statist is slightly higher than in some other Eu countries, but as long as a tourist makes themselves aware of the local driving rules and sticks to them, driving in the Czech republic shouldn’t be an issue.

Overall security in the Czech Republic is excellent, ranking as one of the most peaceful countries on the Global Peace index in 2019. Crime is generally relatively low in the Czech Republic, but tourists are urged to practice standard safety measures like in any country. Avoid carrying large amounts of valuables and cash, stick to well-lit areas at night and keep doors locked.

Road rules in the Czech Republic

Tourists are advised that local police officers strictly enforce road rules and traffic laws in the Czech Republic, and police officers often patrol the roads to ensure drivers adhere to these rules.

The best way for a foreigner to drive comfortably in the Czech Republic is to familiarise themselves with the local driving laws and practice them while driving.

Drinking and driving
The Czech Repub; has a zero-tolerance policy on drinking and driving, with no allowed blood alcohol limit. The Czech Republic has one of the strictest drink driving laws in Europe, so tourists are advised never to drink and drive while visiting the Czech republic.
Drivers who are caught driving while under the influence of alcohol can face hefty fines, driving bans, or even imprisonment for reckless driving.
Mobile phones
Driving while using a mobile phone is strictly prohibited in the Czech Republic. Using a mobile phone while driving can distract drivers and lead to serious road accidents. If a driver must have a phone present, it must be in a hands-free device at all times.
speed limits
The permitted speed limit in the Czech republic will vary depending on the type of road and are being driven in. Clear speed signs are present on roads, as are the police who use speed meters or speed vans to discourage drivers from breaking speed limits.
Generally, a maximum speed limit of 50 km/h applies in urban areas and around the city. Driving outside the central city and the rural regions will allow a maximum speed limit of 90km/h. Expressways have the fastest permitted speed limit, allowing a maximum of 130 km/h on these roads.

Top 2 Places to Visit in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a beautiful Eastern European country between Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Austria. Famous for its rich history, sprawling scenery, and Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance style Architecture, the Czech Republic is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination.

Prague

This petite Czech republic capital city is on most people’s bucket lists, thanks to its medical castles and beautiful scenery. In a city, bustling with life, busy restaurants, pubs, and bars line the main streets, plenty to keep tourists entertained throughout the day.

Prague castle is something out of a fairytale that overlooks the city center and is Prague’sPrague’s top tourist destination. Charles Bridge is another hugely popular tourist attraction in Prague, thanks to its baroque statues that line the side of it.

Vila Tugendhat

The town or Brno where vila Tugendhat is located had a name in the 1920s as a center of modern architecture. One of the best examples of his is the Vila Tugendhat which was even the inspiration for the bestselling book, the glass house. Tours can be booked in advance by phone or email/

FAQs

What should I do if I lose my IDP in the Czech Republic?

If you are not permitted to drive in the Czech republic without your IDP, you will have to stop driving until it is replaced. Contact your IDP issuer as soon as possible to have a replacement sent.

Is it safe to drive in the Czech Republic during the Winter?

The Czech republic can receive some heavy snowfall during Winter, so it is advised to use snow tires and snow chains in Winter and always drive more cautiously in cold weather.