Anyone with a valid driver’s license can drive a car anywhere in the world. If you are arrested, showing your Dutch driving license is insufficient if you are not in Europe. Outside Europe the documents look different, besides which it is also described in another language. To solve this problem, agreements have been made between many countries for some time. To temporarily drive a car abroad, one must have an IRB driving license. This is an international driver’s license and is recognized in practically every country. Why is it necessary to have it in your pocket and how do you request it?
International driver’s license
- Reasons for the application
- To take or not to take?
- Validity period
- Where to get an international driver’s license?
- How does it look?
- What does the RDW do?
- More than a year, then what?
Reasons for the application
There are several reasons why it is good for you to take it. You can:
- demonstrate that you have a driving license;
- ensure that your papers are in order;
- indicate in the local language that you can drive a car on public roads with the papers;
- avoid being taken by the local police.
In other words, if you are abroad for a relatively long time, you always have sufficient proof to demonstrate your driving skills.
To take or not to take?
If you are staying outside Europe for a long time to enjoy your holiday or if you have to work there, you would do well to take it. If you have good driving skills, there is a good chance that you will drive a car yourself. In order to demonstrate that you have sufficient capabilities, it is wise to apply for an international driver’s license. You can clearly indicate that you are allowed to drive a car. Because it is a globally recognized document, anyone anywhere in the world can go public. It also prevents you from having problems if you are stopped. In many countries, sufficient papers means the persuasiveness of legitimacy, so that you can continue driving. Please note that in some countries it is a requirement that you can show the correct translation.
Validity period
On the basis of the Geneva Convention of 1949, anyone with a driving license B can qualify for an internationally valid driving license. It is valid for one year. Despite the fact that additional agreements have been made regarding the period of validity, this has never been adjusted in the Netherlands. The 1968 Vienna Convention stipulates that it is valid for three years. The treaty has been signed by many countries, but several countries have not ratified it. Yet it is widely recognized as a legitimate document. Despite the convention, you can only obtain it with a Dutch driving license for one year, precisely because the Dutch regulations in this regard have not been amended. The day you request it is the start date. If you are going abroad for a long time, it is important to plan the application well so that you have valid proof during your stay.
Where to get an international driver’s license?
You can obtain the document from the ANWB and for this you have to go to the local branch. You cannot request it via the internet. Bring your legitimate driver’s license including two recent passport photos. For 15.95 euros you can already have it in your pocket, so that you can take it on the road abroad. Make sure that you clearly state the country for which you are going to use it, as there are two types. To cover the entire world, there are two language groups in use, so it is important to mention your destination. This way you can easily get the right document through the ANWB.
How does it look?
It is a small booklet containing the description of the driving license in different languages. It is clearly indicated which vehicle you are allowed to drive, i.e. it can also apply to other vehicles besides a car. Be careful with a moped driving license, as these are not recognized in many countries. You will have to take a separate exam for this. The matte white to slightly gray booklet contains the description of your proof. This includes your passport photo including your personal information in accordance with the original document.
What does the RDW do?
Anyone can request a certificate of authenticity from the National Road Traffic Service to prove that you have a real driving license in your pocket. This is issued in English so that, in principle, it can be demonstrated worldwide that there is a legal document. This can be important if you want to apply for a driving license on the spot abroad. If you are staying abroad for a long time, such as emigration, the request for this document can be useful. To this end, you can write to the RDW located in Veendam. This way you can prove at any time that your driving license is legitimate.
More than a year, then what?
You may have to work abroad for more than a year. This means that the international driver’s license will expire in the meantime, which means that you are driving around illegally in some countries. If you have already been in the country for a few months, you can go to a comparable national CBR there, so that you can apply for an official driver’s license. Make sure you add a copy of your work permit, driver’s license and passport, so that you prove who you are and that you are licensed to drive. You may then submit the RDW’s certificate of authenticity and that you have to take an eye test. This means you can continue to drive a vehicle even after the international driver’s license has expired. Of course, keep an eye on the validity of your new certificate, since in many countries it is first issued for one year, after which it is extended every five years. Always make sure that your papers are in order if you are going abroad for a year or perhaps longer. What else do you have to do if you have an expired driving license abroad?