International driving permit?

If our son comes over and drives our car, with our permission, does he need an international driving permit? He would need one for a hire car but we can’t work out if he needs it for a private car. Thanks.


Thank you for all your replies. I have the N332 form, copies of passports, licenses etc so hopefully that will be enough.

They only £5 from uk post office, done over counter easy to get.

park footer wrote:If our son comes over and drives our car, with our permission, does he need an international driving permit? He would need one for a hire car but we can’t work out if he needs it for a private car. Thanks

If he is British, no he does not need an international permit, but he needs to have his driving licence with him at all times while driving, also if he goes out in the car without the owner, it’s sensible to have a letter from the owner authorising him to use the car.

I did not need an international licence to hire a car from Alicante airport for 5 days either…

There is no law in Spain which demands an IDP.

Some hire car some companies require it which is entirely their prerogative if they so choose.

Read the T&C's to avoid disappointment!

We buy one every year for the sake of £5 each it’s worth it.
I know some car hire companies still ask for them when you say you don’t want their car insurance. We own a car now but keep them in the car just in case as some police still think we as non residents need them.

I looked on the uk.gov website and no we don't need one to drive in spain.

Police advise that if lending your car to someone then fill in the form on their 332 website which is a written authority signed by you for them to use your car. If stopped by Police will avoid any necessity by them to check the driver is lawfful and not driving a stolen car. Keep the signed form in the car. You can download and print the form. No charge.

Spider wrote:We buy one every year for the sake of £5 each it’s worth it.
I know some car hire companies still ask for them when you say you don’t want their car insurance. We own a car now but keep them in the car just in case as some police still think we as non residents need them.

Yes that's my thinking,years ago
Police checkpoint stop, showed him IDP waved me in my way,