Quick Answer
You don't strictly need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a car in North Macedonia if your home licence is from the EU, EEA, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Türkiye, or any country whose driving licence uses the Latin alphabet and shows your name in Latin characters. You do need an IDP — or it's strongly recommended — if your licence is in Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or any non-Latin script. Police checks during cross-border crossings (especially into Greece and Albania) are easier with an IDP. Cost in your home country: €15–25, valid 1 year.
What an IDP is (and isn't)
The International Driving Permit is not a separate licence. It's a paper booklet that translates the data on your home licence into multiple languages, with a photograph and your home licence details printed on multilingual pages. It's recognized under the 1949 and 1968 Geneva and Vienna Conventions on Road Traffic, which most countries (including North Macedonia) signed.
The IDP is always paired with your original licence. You must carry both. Police checking only the IDP, without the original, can refuse to accept it.
When you definitely DON'T need an IDP for Macedonia
If your home licence:
- Uses the Latin alphabet (English, French, German, Turkish, Albanian, Italian, Spanish, Polish, etc.)
- Shows your name in Latin characters
- Has a clear photograph
- Has your date of birth and licence number visible
…you can rent a car in North Macedonia and drive within the country without any paperwork beyond your licence + passport. Most EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Türkiye licences fit this category.
For a deeper look at all licence requirements see our driving licence requirements North Macedonia guide.
When you DO need an IDP
Strongly recommended in these cases:
| Your licence | Why IDP recommended |
|---|---|
| Cyrillic-only (older Russian/Ukrainian/Bulgarian) | Macedonian police can't always read Cyrillic Russian without translation |
| Arabic (Saudi, Egyptian, UAE original-language) | Translation needed for any document check |
| Chinese / Japanese / Korean | Non-Latin script always needs IDP |
| Older Greek / older Romanian (pre-2013, Greek-script-only) | Newer issued cards have Latin transliteration; older ones don't |
Even if your licence is in Latin script, an IDP is helpful for cross-border situations:
- Greek border (Bogorodica) — Greek police occasionally ask for IDP for non-EU licences
- Albanian border (Qafë Thanë) — Random checks, having IDP avoids 30-minute conversations
- Kosovo border (Jažince/Blace) — IDP not strictly required but appreciated
Where to get an IDP
Before your trip, in your home country:
| Country | Issuing body | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | AAA or AATA | $20 | Same-day in office |
| UK | AA, RAC, or Post Office | £5.50 | Same-day in person |
| Germany | ADAC | €15 | 30 min in office |
| Australia | AAA-affiliated state clubs | A$40 | Same-day in office |
| Canada | CAA | C$25 | Same-day in office |
| Türkiye | Türkiye Turing Otomobil Kurumu | €30–40 | 1–2 days |
You cannot get a Macedonian IDP if you don't have a Macedonian licence. It must be issued in the country that issued your original licence.
The IDP is valid for 1 year from issue date. If you make multiple trips abroad, time your renewal to cover the whole travel year.
What about Türkiye-issued licences?
Turkish licences in the new chip-card format (2016 onwards) include Latin-character name and licence number. North Macedonian rental car offices accept these without IDP for vehicle rental.
For driving across borders with a Turkish licence:
- Greece: IDP not strictly required (Türkiye and Greece both signed Geneva Convention) but recommended for any roadside check
- Bulgaria: Same as Greece
- Albania: Direct recognition, no IDP needed
- Kosovo: Direct recognition, no IDP needed
- Serbia: IDP recommended (random checks have been reported)
For Türkiye-specific border-crossing detail, see our cross-border driving Macedonia guide.
What happens if you skip the IDP
Three scenarios in increasing severity:
- Vehicle pickup in Skopje: We accept all Latin-script licences without IDP. If yours is non-Latin, we'd need to translate it informally before signing the contract — adds 10–15 min, no fee
- Routine roadside check inside Macedonia: Macedonian traffic police speak basic English. With a Latin-script licence, expect a 2-minute interaction. Without, expect a 15-minute negotiation that may end in a fine if officer is unhappy with documentation
- Cross-border crossing with non-Latin licence: Could be refused entry or face an extended secondary check. IDP is the cheap way to avoid this
In 25 years operating, we've never had a customer turned away for missing IDP at vehicle pickup. Border-crossing issues are rarer but real.
How an IDP looks in practice
A standard IDP is:
- A6-sized paper booklet, 8–12 pages
- Photo and licence data printed on multiple language sections
- Validity 1 year
- Stamped or printed by an authorized issuing body in your home country
Carry it folded inside your passport — police will appreciate the bundling.
At Skopje Airport pickup
When you collect your rental car at Skopje Airport, the staff will ask for:
- Driving licence (mandatory)
- Passport or EU ID card (mandatory)
- IDP (mandatory only if non-Latin script home licence; recommended otherwise)
If your licence is in Latin script and clearly readable, we'll process you without IDP. If you have one anyway, bring it — speeds up cross-border situations later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need an IDP to rent a car in Macedonia? A: Not if your home licence uses Latin alphabet and shows your name in Latin characters. Strongly recommended if your licence is in Cyrillic, Arabic, or other non-Latin script.
Q: How much does an IDP cost? A: €15–25 in most countries. USA $20, UK £5.50, Germany €15, Australia A$40. Always issued in your home country before travel.
Q: Is an IDP valid for 1 year? A: Yes. The IDP is valid for 12 months from issue. Renew before each travel year if needed.
Q: Can I drive across the Greek border with a Turkish licence and no IDP? A: Yes — Türkiye and Greece both signed the Geneva Convention. IDP is recommended but not strictly required. Our Skopje to Greece guide covers the route.
Q: What if I forgot my IDP at home? A: We can still rent you a car if your home licence is Latin-script. For non-Latin licences, we'd need to do informal translation at pickup — workable but adds time.
Q: Where do I get an IDP in North Macedonia for my own home licence? A: You can't. IDPs must be issued in the country that issued your original licence. Plan to get it before traveling.
Driving in North Macedonia is straightforward with the right documents. Rent a car Skopje Airport for hassle-free pickup, free meet-and-greet, no deposit.
