Do Australians need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive abroad
Australians need to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in most countries around the world. If you ignore this legal requirement, you could face a fine.
The United Kingdom and New Zealand are two of the few countries that allow Australians to drive without an IDP, WA Today writes. However, everything looks simple until you and your car are damaged.
You probably won't be asked to show your IDP when you rent a car abroad, but it may be required by law enforcement.
If you are involved in an accident and do not have your IDP with you, you may be charged with illegal driving.
In this case, the fine will be much higher than the price of the permit, which, by the way, is $49. In addition, travelling is often unpredictable. You never know in which country and under what conditions you will need to drive, so it's worth being safe in advance.