There’s only so far your legs can take you when travelling. If you’re hoping to uncover hidden gems and chase down local hot spots (without spending hours cramped on a stuffy bus), you’ll need your own set of wheels. But hiring a car overseas can be trickier than you think.
New research has looked into the power of driver’s licences across the globe, and Australia’s didn’t fare as well as you might think. The researchers at Compare the Market AU analysed 19 popular travel destinations, taking into account not just international recognition, but how long licences last and how much they cost to obtain.
Despite Australia having one of the most powerful passports in the world, our driver’s licence doesn’t measure up. It was one of the least powerful, ranking 13th globally. While it’s relatively affordable and accessible for young Aussies to get behind the wheel at just 16, the power of our license is somewhat limited on the global stage with recognition in only 24 other countries. That’s far below Finland’s top-ranked licence, which is valid in a whopping 141 countries.
Australians with a current driver’s licence can hit the road straight away in countries like New Zealand, Vanuatu and Puerto Rico. In many other English-speaking destinations, like the UK and US, driving is also possible with our licence for a short period, typically six to twelve months. However, it’s recommended that you also apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP), which is essentially a translation of your licence into nine languages, giving Aussies freedom to drive in more than 150 countries.
If you really can’t be bothered applying for an IDP, how about you hit the road on one of Australia’s greatest road trips instead?
The 10 most powerful driver’s licences in the world
- Finland
- Belgium
- France
- Cyprus
- Spain
- Italy
- Saudi Arabia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Greece