Self-driving Tours 2025 - International Driving Permit Application

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Currently, over 90 countries or regions recognize the IDP issued by Hong Kong, including Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Thailand, Australia, and more. However, mainland China is not currently in the list, whereas in Taiwan, an IDP is not required for driving. You can refer to the government's website for IDP for the complete list of countries/regions that recognize the IDP.

Countries/Regions accepting the IDP by region

Asia: Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, India

Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

Europe: United Kingdom, France, Finland, Poland, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Turkey, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Austria, Russia, Switzerland, Greece

The Americas: United States, Canada, Peru, Chile, Cuba, Argentina

Middle East and Africa: United Arab Emirates, Israel, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco

IDPs issued by Hong Kong are not currently accepted in Mainland China. To drive in Mainland China, you need to obtain a Mainland China driver's license.

To apply for a Mainland China driver's license, you need to make an online appointment and visit a designated "Public Security Bureau Office of Vehicle Management" in Guangdong Province in person. The nearest offices for those from Hong Kong include the Shenzhen Bay Port Police Medical and Postal Service Station, Shenzhen Public Security Bureau Office of Vehicle Management, and Lo Wu Vehicle Management Substation. To apply for a driver's license, you need to bring your Hong Kong driving license, Hong Kong ID card, Home Return Permit, medical examination report, and four passport-sized photos with a white background.

On the other hand, driving in Taiwan does not require an IDP under a reciprocal agreement. However, not all local car rental companies are familiar with the relevant regulations. If you are concerned, you may apply for an IDP just in case it is asked for.

IDPs are typically intended for temporary travel purposes only. If you emigrate, you should convert your Hong Kong driving license to a local license. However, in some countries, IDPs may be used for a few months after arrival before you are required to obtain a local driver's license, and you should check the licensing requirements of the country you are moving to. Some countries may even allow direct conversion of a Hong Kong driving license to a local one without any exam, while others may impose time limits, meaning that after residing in the country for a certain length of time, you will no longer be exempt from taking the local driving test.

1. Choose a reputable and legal car rental company

When you're in unfamiliar turf, don’t choose the lowest-cost car rental company just to save money. These little known companies may provide rental terms that fail to meet even the basic local car insurance requirements. For example, the company may only have secured private car insurance for the cars being rented out, when what is really needed is commercial vehicle insurance.

2. Carefully read the car rental and insurance terms

Remember to carefully read the car rental agreement and car insurance documents. Some car rental companies may include insurance premiums in the rental agreement, but not all companies do so. You should also ensure that the coverage amount is sufficient to compensate for potential injuries or damage since rental insurance coverage can sometimes be rather low. If an accident occurs and your insurance is not enough to cover all the costs, you will have to pay out of pocket.

3. Book a vehicle ahead of time and make sure the equipment you desire is available

If you're visiting countries like Japan or South Korea, you should book a car online in advance. Some websites offer early-bird discounts, and booking a full month ahead increases the chances of being able to reserve the car model you desire. You may also specify that your rental car must be equipped with a GPS navigation system.

4. Pay attention to local regulations

In Hong Kong, people drive on the left, and vehicles keep to the left. However, in some countries like Canada, France, and Germany, it's just the opposite. They drive on the right, and vehicles keep to the right. Moreover, each country has its own traffic rules and speed limits. For example, in Bulgaria, the speed limit on highways can be up to 140 km/h, while in the UK, the maximum speed is 112 km/h. As a further example, in Japan, drivers are required to have child safety seats installed for children under 6 years of age.

5. Take photos as evidence when taking possession of the car

When taking possession of a rental car, you should thoroughly document the condition of the vehicle to ensure that its look and performance are normal, including that there are no scratches or dents. If any issues are found, inform the car rental company without delay. You should also take photos or videos of the vehicle as evidence to avoid disputes when returning the car. Finally, remember to fill up the car just before returning and drive it to the designated location. Otherwise, the rental company may charge you additional fees.

For visitors from countries or regions that are eligible for the issuance of a Hong Kong driving license without a test, and whose stay in Hong Kong is for no more than 12 months, they can use their foreign driving license here. However, if their stay is for more than 12 months, they must get a local driving license.

For visitors who are not from recognized countries, an IDP is required.

Finally, under Hong Kong law, all drivers must have third-party liability insurance. Therefore, visitors must complete the necessary procedures before renting a car.

Most travel insurance policies only cover "car rental deductibles" and "personal accident and medical expenses," but they usually do not compensate for third-party losses caused by self-driving tour accidents (such as when others are injured or public property is damaged). Therefore, it is necessary to purchase additional coverage from the car rental company.

"Car rental deductibles" refer to the fee that the car renter must pay when making a claim. Rental car insurance provided by car rental companies typically has a "deductible". For example, if the repair for a vehicle costs $5,000, and the deductible is $1,000, the renter must pay $1,000 out of pocket, and the remaining $4,000 will be covered by the rental car insurance. The "car rental deductible" coverage in travel insurance can help pay this $1,000 deductible.

Lastly, car owners can determine the coverage amount based on the destination's driving environment (such as weather and road conditions) and their own driving skills. If you sense a higher risk of accidents, you should secure insurance with a higher coverage amount.