Are International Driving Permits standard?
 

Or can I just hand over any old fake crap to the unsuspecting officer, for surely they can't check if it's valid or not in West Africa...

Regards.

:scooter:

Read the fine print
 

I believe, relying on a rather aged memory now, that the fine print on an international drivers permit requires that it be supported by a valid drivers permit from your home country.

If this is still the case I would be far more concerned by my possible loss of my original than anything else.

My question would be why not just get an international license. Or am I missing much bigger issue.

Rick

IDP's are only valid with the national driving licence.

As it is a standard document, and to the best of my knowlege the same the world over it would be harder to use a fake one, this coupled with the fact that in the UK at least it costs less than a pack of smokes it is easier just to get one.

Mike

There are two variations depending on which agreement the country you want to drive in has signed up to. I think it's the later one which covers most countries. The application form which is available from the Post Office has all the details or I guess it's all on the web if you google IDP.

OK, thanks guys.

I havn't got a lisence yet so I guess I'll have to get an IDP when I'm in Africa somehow.

The reason I asked is 'coz if you google IDP then there seems to be array of formats to the document: international driving permit - Google Image Search

(some of them are fakes)

Anyway, to hell with it - I'm only going to be riding a moped and it's not like a bribe is going to cost more than a dollar.

Regards.

You might just be okay
 

I am by no means an expert on traveling everywhere however in most places I have been there is no need for a license on a moped so you could be okay without anything.

Rick