International Driving Permit in Switzerland — cost, processing time & counters
The International Driving Permit (IDP, Convention de Vienne 1968) is the official translation of your Swiss driving licence in roughly 150 countries. Here is when you need it, what it costs, and how to order it from the Road Traffic Office of your canton of residence — with direct online-counter links.
Updated: May 2026 · by DriveLab driving school
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At a glance
- Cost CHF 15–50 depending on canton
- Processing instant / 2–3 days counter / post
- Validity 3 years from issue date
- Requirement Swiss credit-card licence FAK format
- Where to apply Road Traffic Office of your canton of residence
- Accepted in approx. 150 countries per 1968 Vienna Convention
When do you need an International Driving Permit?
The rule: within EU and EFTA your Swiss licence is enough. Outside Europe — especially in Asia, Africa and parts of Latin America — the IDP is either mandatory or strongly recommended.
EU & EFTA
Within the EU (except Lithuania) and in Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, your Swiss licence is sufficient. Andorra, North Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino and Turkey also accept it.
USA, Canada & others
Officially accepted, but the TCS recommends carrying an IDP — especially for car rentals and police checks. Also applies to many Latin American and Oceanian countries.
Asia, Africa, Middle East
In roughly 60 countries the IDP is required — without it you risk fines and rental-car issues.
In which countries do I need the IDP?
Type your destination or filter by category. The list is based on the 1968 Vienna Convention and is kept current — as of May 2026.
Mandatory
Afrika (44)
- Ägypten
- Angola
- Äquatorialguinea
- Äthiopien
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Demokratische Republik Kongo
- Dschibuti
- Elfenbeinküste
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Gabun
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Kamerun
- Komoren
- Republik Kongo
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Madagaskar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauretanien
- Mosambik
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Ruanda
- São Tomé und Príncipe
- Senegal
- Seychellen
- Sierra Leone
- Simbabwe
- Somalia
- Südsudan
- Sudan
- Tansania
- Togo
- Tschad
- Tunesien
- Uganda
- Zentralafrikanische Republik
Asien (21)
- Aserbaidschan
- Bangladesch
- Bhutan
- Indien
- Indonesien
- Kasachstan
- Kirgisistan
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Malediven
- Mongolei
- Nepal
- Osttimor
- Pakistan
- Südkorea
- Tadschikistan
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Turkmenistan
- Usbekistan
- Vereinigte Arabische Emirate
Europa (1)
- Georgien
Mittel- und Südamerika (7)
- Belize
- Bolivien
- Guyana
- Jamaika
- Paraguay
- Suriname
- Venezuela
Mittlerer Osten (9)
- Bahrain
- Iran
- Irak
- Jemen
- Katar
- Kuwait
- Libanon
- Saudi-Arabien
- Syrien
Ozeanien (5)
- Cook-Inseln
- Fidschi
- Kiribati
- Niue
- Amerikanisch-Samoa
Recommended
Asien (8)
- Armenien
- Brunei
- Hongkong
- Japan
- Kambodscha
- Macau
- Philippinen
- Singapur
Europa (9)
- Albanien
- Belarus
- Bosnien und Herzegowina
- Kosovo
- Litauen
- Moldau
- Russland
- Serbien
- Ukraine
Mittel- und Südamerika (17)
- Argentinien
- Bahamas
- Brasilien
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Dominikanische Republik
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Kolumbien
- Kuba
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Uruguay
Nordamerika (3)
- Kanada
- Mexiko
- USA
Ozeanien (12)
- Australien
- Französisch-Polynesien
- Marshallinseln
- Mikronesien
- Nauru
- Neukaledonien
- Neuseeland
- Palau
- Papua-Neuguinea
- Salomonen
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Afrika (6)
- Algerien
- Kenia
- Marokko
- Mauritius
- Namibia
- Südafrika
Mittlerer Osten (3)
- Israel
- Jordanien
- Oman
Local licence only
Karibik (10)
- Anguilla
- Antigua und Barbuda
- Barbados
- Cayman-Inseln
- Dominica
- Grenada
- St. Kitts und Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent und die Grenadinen
- Trinidad und Tobago
Asien (3)
- China
- Sri Lanka
- Vietnam
Ozeanien (2)
- Samoa
- Tonga
Fahrverbot für Touristen (3)
- Bermuda
- Myanmar
- Nordkorea
Source: 1968 Vienna Convention and current TCS travel information. Rules can change at short notice — verify with the consulate or rental provider before travelling.
5 steps to your International Driving Permit
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Check the requirement
You need the Swiss driving licence in credit-card format (FAK). If you still have the old blue paper licence, swap it at the Road Traffic Office first.
-
Pick your canton of residence
Only the Road Traffic Office of your current canton of residence can issue your IDP — not your destination country. Direct links to all 26 cantons are below.
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File the application
Depending on canton: online counter, email, postal application or in-person. Some cantons require a recent passport photo, some accept smartphone images.
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Pay & issue
The fee is between CHF 15 and 50. Counter pickup is instant; postal delivery takes 2–3 working days plus shipping.
-
Carry the IDP with you
The IDP is valid for 3 years and only together with your Swiss original — always carry both documents.
Pick your canton — direct to the online counter
Click on your canton of residence to jump straight to the application form or cantonal order page. Requirements differ per canton — the one constant is your Swiss credit-card-format licence.
Zürich
Online counter
Bern
Online counter
Luzern
Post / e-mail / counter
Uri
Counter, passport photo required
Schwyz
Online counter
Obwalden
Post / counter, passport photo
Nidwalden
Post / counter, passport photo
Glarus
Post / e-mail / counter
Zug
Pre-filled e-mail template
Freiburg
Post / counter, passport photo
Solothurn
Post / e-mail
Basel-Stadt
Online counter
Basel-Landschaft
E-mail template with licence copy
Schaffhausen
Online counter
Appenzell-Ausserrhoden
Post / counter, passport photo
Appenzell-Innerrhoden
Post / counter, passport photo
St. Gallen
Online counter
Graubünden
Post
Aargau
Post
Thurgau
Online counter
Tessin
Post / counter
Waadt
Post / counter
Wallis
Post / counter
Neuenburg
Post / counter
Genf
Post / counter
Jura
Post / counter
Links open the official online counter or information page of the cantonal Road Traffic Office. DriveLab receives no commission.
Get ready for your trip with DriveLab
If you have not driven in a while or are about to face left-hand traffic, mountain roads or busy mega-cities, a refresher lesson with a DriveLab instructor goes a long way. Bookable in Zurich, Zug, Lucerne and Rapperswil — also on short notice.
FAQ — International Driving Permit
What is the International Driving Permit (IDP)?
The IDP is the official translation of your Swiss driving licence under the 1968 Vienna Convention. It is recognised in roughly 150 countries and is only valid together with your Swiss original.
Who needs an IDP in Switzerland?
Anyone residing in Switzerland and travelling beyond Europe usually needs one — especially in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and parts of Oceania. Within the EU and EFTA (except Lithuania) your Swiss licence is enough.
Where do I apply for the IDP?
At the Road Traffic Office of your canton of residence. Depending on the canton you can apply online, by e-mail, by post or in person. All 26 cantons are listed above with direct links.
How much does the IDP cost?
Between CHF 15 and 50 depending on the canton, payable at order or at pickup.
How long does issuance take?
Counter pickup is usually instant. Postal, e-mail or online-counter applications take 2–3 working days plus shipping.
How long is the IDP valid?
Three years from the date of issue. Holders of a Swiss probationary licence receive an IDP with the same expiry date. New IDPs can be issued back to back — there is no quantity limit.
Do I need passport photos?
It depends on the canton. Several cantons (UR, OW, NW, AR, AI, FR) require a recent passport photo; others reuse the photo from your Swiss licence. The canton table above shows the current details.
Can I order the IDP online?
Yes — Zurich, Bern, Schwyz, Basel-Stadt, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, Thurgau and several others offer an online counter. Cantons like Zug or Basel-Landschaft use a pre-filled e-mail template instead.
I still have the old blue paper licence — what now?
The paper licence has to be exchanged for the credit-card format (FAK) first. Only then can an IDP be issued.
Can I get an IDP for the Swiss probationary licence?
Yes. The IDP inherits the probationary licence's expiry date — important to consider when planning longer trips.
What if I drive abroad without the IDP?
In countries where the IDP is mandatory you risk fines, rental refusal, and insurance issues in case of accidents. In countries where it is recommended, expect discussions with rental companies.
Do I need an IDP for a rental car?
In most non-European countries the rental company requires the IDP in addition to your Swiss licence — even in countries where the national authority accepts the Swiss document, e.g. the USA and Canada, the TCS strongly recommends carrying an IDP.