Convention types1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Document
Valid for up to 3 years and accepted in 95 countries — including Vietnam, Germany, and Brazil. It's the newer of the two active International Driving Document types, with more granular licence classes and longer validity than the 1949 Geneva Convention. If you're driving in a Vienna-only country, you need this one.
See the International Driving Document hub or the 1949 Geneva Convention guide.
- Countries accepted
- 95
- Validity
- Up to 3 years
- Licence classes
- 13+
- Ratifying countries
- 86
What is the 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Document?
By Expedify Editorial Team · Fact-checked by Expedify Compliance Review on August 9, 2026.
The 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic is the newer of the two active international treaties governing International Driving Documents. Concluded in Vienna on 8 November 1968, it entered into force on 21 May 1977. 86 countries had ratified it as of October 2022.
The convention modernized the framework for international driving with updated licence formats, more granular vehicle categories, and longer International Driving Document validity. Between countries party to both conventions, the Vienna Convention replaces the Geneva Convention (Article 48).
Notable non-signatories: United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Ireland, China, Malaysia, Iceland, Malta, India, New Zealand. Travelers from these countries cannot obtain a Vienna International Driving Document from their domestic issuers.
Key takeaways
- Accepted in 95 countries.
- Validity: up to 3 years, or until your domestic licence expires — whichever is earlier.
- Notable Vienna-only countries: Vietnam, Germany, Brazil.
- 13+ granular licence classes.
- US drivers cannot obtain a Vienna International Driving Document from US issuers — the US issues Geneva-only permits.
Which countries accept the 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Document?
The 1968 Vienna Convention has been ratified by 86 countries. 95 total countries recognize the Vienna International Driving Document (33 Vienna-only + 62 both).
Vienna-only
- Count
- 33 countries
- Accepts
- Vienna only — a 1949 Geneva permit is not accepted
Both conventions
- Count
- 62 countries
- Accepts
- Either Vienna or Geneva
Not a Vienna party
- Count
- United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Ireland, and others
- Accepts
- Geneva only, or neither (China)
Vienna-only countries (33)
A 1949 Geneva International Driving Document will not be accepted in these countries. Vietnam and Germany are the most notable.
Both-convention countries (62)
A Vienna International Driving Document will be accepted in all of these.
Authority: party-country and recognition claims are drawn from UN treaty records and official issuer guidance. Verify current requirements with the embassy of your destination country and your national auto association before traveling.
What it covers — and what it doesn't
The International Driving Document must be carried alongside your valid domestic licence. It is a translation, not a standalone licence.
Covers
- Translation of your domestic driving licence into multiple languages
- Proof that you hold a valid domestic driving licence
- Driving in countries party to the 1968 Vienna Convention
- Vehicle categories matching your domestic licence entitlements
Doesn't cover
- Replacement for a valid domestic licence
- Insurance — you still need separate vehicle insurance
- Driving in non-party countries
- Motorcycles or heavy vehicles unless your domestic licence includes them
Validity and renewal
Maximum validity
Up to 3 years from the issue date, or until your domestic licence expires — whichever is earlier.
Validity upon arrival
1 year from the date you enter a foreign country, regardless of the permit's remaining term.
Renewal
An expired Vienna International Driving Document cannot be renewed — submit a new application. Check the printed expiration date before each trip.
1968 Vienna vs. 1949 Geneva
The Vienna permit lasts longer with more granular licence classes, but has less country coverage. The Geneva permit has wider coverage but shorter validity. If your trip includes both Geneva-only and Vienna-only countries, you may need both types.
Validity
- 1968 Vienna
- Up to 3 years (or licence expiry)
- 1949 Geneva
- 1 year from issue
Countries accepted
- 1968 Vienna
- 95 (33 Vienna-only + 62 both)
- 1949 Geneva
- 109 (47 Geneva-only + 62 both)
Licence classes
- 1968 Vienna
- 13+ (A through D1E)
- 1949 Geneva
- 5 (A, B, C, D, E)
Key Vienna-only countries
- 1968 Vienna
- Vietnam, Germany, Brazil
- 1949 Geneva
- —
Key Geneva-only countries
- 1968 Vienna
- —
- 1949 Geneva
- Japan, USA, Canada, Australia
Format
- 1968 Vienna
- A6 booklet, grey cover (updated 2011)
- 1949 Geneva
- A6 booklet, grey cover
What it costs
One clear charge. Shown in full before you enter any details.
Printed permit
Most chosenThe physical booklet, posted to you. This is what rental desks and roadside checks ask for.
- 1 year$69
- 2 years$109
- 3 years$79
Digital only
A digital copy, no booklet. Cheaper, but not every authority accepts it — check your destination first.
- 1 year$49
- 2 years$55
- 3 years$59
Where the money goes
- Processing fee
- Checking your documents, confirming the correct convention type, preparing and filing the application, and shipping.
- Government fee
- An International Driving Document carries no government issuance fee. This line reads $0 rather than disappearing.
No hidden charges. No courier surcharge. No markup on anything we pass through. Applying direct through AAA costs about $20 plus photos and postage — cheaper, and you handle the research, the forms, and the shipping yourself.
A dedicated expert reviews your application. If something goes wrong on our end, we make it right.
Two ways to get one
You can do this yourself. Here's what each route actually involves.
We prepare and file it — you skip the issuer line
- Tell us your destinationYour destination country and where your licence was issued. About 30 seconds.
- We confirm what you needA 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna permit — picked for you, so you don't have to decide.
- We handle the paperworkYour dedicated expert checks your documents, prepares the application, and files it correctly with the authorised issuer.
- Review by a real personA dedicated expert reviews your submission before it goes anywhere — not a bot.
- Track every stepLive dashboard plus email and SMS updates, from submission until the permit is in your hands.
What to expect, not a promise: the issuer sets the delivery timeframe. We show the official ETA as a fact and track every step for you.
Straight through the issuer
Cheaper. You handle the branch visit or mail-in, the photos, the forms, and the shipping.
- United States
- AAA or AATA — 1949 Geneva only. About $20.
- United Kingdom
- Post Office or RAC — both types. About £5.50.
- Canada
- CAA — 1949 Geneva only. About CA$25.
- Elsewhere
- Your national automobile association.
If you have the time and the confidence, you should do it this way.
Frequently asked questions
The 1968 Vienna Convention, explained — including what US travelers can't get from their own issuer.
Where this comes from
Last updated August 9, 2026. Fact-checked by Expedify Compliance Review.
- UN Treaty Collection — Vienna Convention on Road Traffic
- Wikipedia — Vienna Convention on Road Traffic
- AIT/FIA — authorized International Driving Document issuing organizations
International Driving Document requirements, fees, convention membership, and country recognition rules can change. Verify current rules with your authorized issuer and your destination country's embassy or consulate before traveling.
Ready to get your permit?
A dedicated expert prepares, verifies, and files your 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Document — accepted in Vietnam, Germany, Brazil, and 92 other countries. Picked for you, so you don't have to decide.
- No hidden fees — the official/agency fee is shown next to ours.
- Track every step from submission to your door.