Can I drive in the USA with a UK licence? In most cases, yes. The UK government’s USA travel advice says you can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in the US, but you may also need the 1949 International Driving Permit (IDP) because requirements vary by state. This guide explains when the permit matters and what is cheap and sensible to do. Details are as of 8 November 2026.
Is a UK licence accepted in the USA?
There is no single US driving law for visitors. Each state sets its own rules. Two state DMV pages show the general pattern:
- New York: the DMV says a valid foreign licence lets you drive in the state without applying for a New York licence, unless you become a resident. It says an IDP or certified translation is needed if your licence is not printed in English.
- Vermont: a foreign licence is valid for up to one year from arrival if you are 18 or over and lawfully in the US. Vermont says a licence that is not in English must be accompanied by an IDP.
A UK licence is printed in English, so those two pages do not ask UK visitors for an IDP. Neither page names the UK specifically, though, and rules differ in other states. Check the state you will drive in, especially if you plan a multi-state road trip.
Do you need an International Driving Permit?
This is where the advice conflicts:
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Avis UK guide | Lists the United States among countries where UK licence holders need an IDP. |
| Kayak UK guide | UK drivers usually do not need one, but some states may technically require it and some hire companies may ask. Recommends one for long or multi-state trips. |
| New York and Vermont DMVs | IDP needed only if the licence is not in English. |
| GOV.UK (FCDO USA travel advice) | UK photocard licence can be used; you may need the 1949 IDP as well, as requirements vary by state. Hire companies often ask for an IDP. |
Because a permit is cheap and a UK-based hire company or an officer could ask for it, many UK drivers treat it as inexpensive insurance. It is not a licence on its own: Vermont’s DMV states it “does not confer any driving privileges”, so you must carry it with your UK licence.
Which IDP type and where to get it
Avis UK describes three types: 1926, 1949 (valid one year) and 1968 (valid three years). For the USA, the FCDO travel advice names the 1949 version, and Vermont’s DMV also refers to the 1949 Road Traffic Convention. If your trip includes other countries, check GOV.UK for each one, as you may need more than one type.
- Cost: GOV.UK lists £5.50.
- Where: in person at participating PayPoint shops (GOV.UK links to paypoint.com/dvla). Avis says you cannot order online since April 2024 and that you cannot apply from inside the USA.
- What to take: your photocard licence, a passport-style photo and the fee, plus your passport if you still have a paper licence (as stated by Avis UK).
Hiring a car in the USA
The FCDO warns that hire companies often have stricter rules than the law, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP. Kayak UK gives these typical requirements, but always check your own booking terms:
- Most companies require drivers to be at least 21; Michigan and New York allow hires from 18, per Kayak.
- Drivers aged 21 to 24 typically pay an under-25 surcharge. Kayak says this can add £15 to £30 a day.
- Some agencies want you to have held your licence for at least a year.
- A credit card is usually needed for the deposit. Some big agencies accept debit cards, but most do not take prepaid cards, cash or cheques.
- Liability insurance is mandatory in most states and should be in your hire agreement. Kayak suggests considering a Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver.
Insurance basics: read what the hire price includes, check the excess you would pay after damage, and compare any waiver with cover you already hold. If you are unsure, ask the company before you book rather than at the counter.
Key road-rule differences for UK drivers
Drive on the right
Traffic keeps to the right. Take extra care leaving car parks, turning at junctions and pulling out after a rest stop, where it is easy to slip back into UK habits.
Right turn on red
Kayak says you may turn right on a red light after a complete stop if no traffic is coming and no “No Turn on Red” sign is posted. Rules vary, so follow local signs.
School buses
Per Kayak, when a school bus stops on a two-lane road, traffic in both directions must stop until it moves off. Fines for ignoring this can be heavy, so when in doubt, stop.
Speeds and alcohol
Limits are in miles per hour. Kayak gives interstates up to 85 mph, rural roads 35 to 55 mph and urban areas 25 to 35 mph, but these vary by state and road. It also says the alcohol limit is 0.08% in most states and 0.05% in Utah. Safest advice: do not drink and drive.
What to do now
- Check your photocard licence is valid and the address is current.
- Read the hire company’s terms for UK visitors: age, deposit, extra-driver and IDP rules.
- Decide on an IDP. If you want one, buy it at a PayPoint shop before you fly, as you cannot get one in the USA.
- Check the DMV website of each state you will drive through.
- Bring a credit card in the lead driver’s name.
- Work out your insurance cover and the excess.
- Plan the rest of the trip: see our US carry-on size guide and whether a travel eSIM is worth it for maps and data.
Heading to Europe too? Our guide to driving permits in Europe explains the permit idea from the other direction.
FAQ
How long can I drive in the USA on a UK licence?
It depends on the state. Vermont’s DMV allows up to one year from arrival; New York’s page gives no set number of days for visitors. Check the DMV page of each state on your route.
Can an IDP replace my UK licence?
No. An IDP is a translation that must be carried alongside your valid licence.
Can I get an IDP once I am in the USA?
No. Vermont’s DMV says you can only get one from the country that issued your licence, and Avis UK says you cannot apply from inside the USA.
Bottom line
A valid UK photocard licence can be used in the US, and the New York and Vermont DMV pages do not ask English-language licence holders for an IDP. The UK government still says you may need the 1949 IDP in some states, and hire companies often ask for one. At £5.50 from a PayPoint shop, carrying one is cheap insurance. Whatever you choose, confirm the rules with your hire company and the states on your route before you fly.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Driving abroad
- GOV.UK: International driving permits
- GOV.UK: USA travel advice, safety and security (road travel)
- Avis UK: International Driving Permit guide
- New York DMV: Drivers from other countries
- Vermont DMV: Foreign drivers
- Kayak UK: Driving in the US, a guide for UK drivers
