You do not need an international driver's license for countries within the EU and the EEA.

Please check with your travel agency in advance to find out which of the two international driver's licenses you need.

For the following signatory states, the international driver's license is valid for 1 year (according to Annex 8c to § 25b (2) of the Driver's License Regulation):
Egypt, Argentina, Chile, India, Iraq, Ireland, Iceland, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Vatican City, United Kingdom    

Note on Thailand: Since Thailand also acceded to the "Vienna Convention of 1968" on May 1, 2020, we can also issue you with an international driver's license in accordance with Appendix 8d ("Vienna Convention of November 8, 1968") for trips to Thailand. To avoid misunderstandings, we have removed "Thailand" from the list "Paris Agreement of 1926" in the application form.
 
The period of validity is 3 years (according to Annex 8d to § 25b (3) of the Driving License Regulation).

The period of validity of international driving licenses according to Annex 8c is 1 year, and those according to Annex 8d is 3 years, in each case from the date of issue. We are not permitted to extend the period of validity. It may not exceed the period of validity of the national driving license. The international driving license is only valid abroad in conjunction with the national driving license.

Note: International driver's licenses issued in Germany are not considered valid proof of driving authorization within the Federal Republic of Germany.

Application

• in person
• by an authorized person

Note on what to do if the document
is lost If the document is lost, a "declaration in lieu of an oath" must be submitted. This can alternatively be submitted

• by a notary
• in person for recording at the driver's license authority
• using the "affidavit" form

Note: In cases of doubt regarding credibility, personal acceptance by recording may also be required.

In the event of theft, submit the theft report filed with the police to the driver's license authority. In this case, you do not need to submit an affidavit.

If you find the lost document, you must return it to the driver's license authority immediately.

• Your primary residence is in Mainz.
• If you do not yet have an EU card driving license, you must first apply to exchange your old gray or pink driving license for an EU card driving license.

• Holders of an EU driver's license do not need an international driver's license within the EU.

• Schedule of fees for measures relating to public road traffic (GebOSt) (opens in a new tab)
• Article 7 and Annex E of the International Convention on Motor Traffic of April 24, 1926, "Paris Convention" (Annex 8c to Section 25b(2) of the Driver's License Regulation), RGBL. 1930 II p. 1233
• Article 41 and Annex 7 of the Convention on Road Traffic of November 8, 1968, "Vienna Agreement" (Annex 8d to Section 25b(3) of the Driver's License Regulation) - RGBL.1977 II p. 809

If you have an EU card driving license, we can issue you with an international driving license immediately.

• Current biometric photo (size 45x35 mm, portrait format, frontal view), no digital code possible!

Note:

Since May 1, 2025, the rule for passport photos for identity cards and passports is that you must submit a digital passport photo to the registration authority. However, this requirement does not apply to the driver's license authority and therefore does not affect the application for driver's license documents. Please also note that the driver's license authorities do not have the technical equipment to take photos on site. You must therefore submit passport photos in analog form, preferably together with the complete application documents, to the driver's license authority.

• EU card driver's license

When applying through an authorized representative

• Original ID documents of both persons
• Written power of attorney with signature
• Completed application form