Validity of International Driving License

Gautham420 · 2020-07-19T15:32:12+02:00

Find out if your International Driving Permit from Kuwait stays valid in Hungary after moving to Budapest, including tips on exchanging licenses.

Gautham420 Member

Member since 19 July 2020

Gautham420Member19 July 2020 13:32:12

Hi guys

I will be moving soon from Kuwait to Budapest. I just wanted to check if anybody is aware whether IDP obtained based on my Kuwait driving license (which only expires in May 2021) would remain valid if I become a resident in Hungary.

From the other queries on this subject in this forum, I understand it is possible to exchange a Kuwait license for a Hungarian one but unsure if I can continue driving for a specified time period on my Kuwait license or IDP. Please note that I am not a Kuwaiti citizen and would have cancelled my Kuwaiti residence prior to arriving in Budapest on work visa.

Any help on this matter would be much appreciated.

Thank you

G

GuestPoster279 Guest

GuestPoster279Guest19 July 2020 14:43:54

Welcome to the forums.

An international driving permit is only a translation of your existing license. Despite what some sources may claim, it can not be used without a valid driving license from your home country and only for a certain time periods as a tourist (i.e. if you become a resident of Hungary your third party license my be considered invalid immediately or only after some months --- you will need to ask the appropriate local Hungarian government office for details what and how this may affect you).

If your home country has an exchange policy with Hungary or EU, then you can simply exchange your current license for a Hungarian one. If not, you will need to take and pass a written driving test and a behind the wheel test to get a valid Hungarian license.

fluffy2560 Hungary Expert

Member since 21 July 2009

fluffy2560Hungary Expert19 July 2020 18:06:11

13246

Kuwait, India and Hungary are signatories to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic which means mutual recognition of the IDP.聽聽So you should be able to drive on your Kuwait license and IDP for a short time.聽 However, as said before you'll need a Hungarian license if you live here.聽 There are not many direct exchange countries - like Korea, possibly Japan and all of the EU.聽聽

The IDP system is a muddle of mutual recognition so you need specific advice.聽聽 You should contact the automobile club in your country.聽 They usually know everything about these things as they are usually dealing with IDPs/Carnets etc and should know the rules.聽

There is a Hungarian auto club but their .