International driving permit in Lithuania: who needs it and how to get one
In short: an international driving permit (IDP) is a supplementary document to your national licence — needed only outside the EU/EEA, in countries that do not recognise the Lithuanian card alone. Regitra issues two types: one under the 1968 Vienna convention (valid while your licence is valid, up to 3 years) and one under the 1949 Geneva convention (valid 1 year). You choose the type by the country you are travelling to — and it never works without the national licence next to it.
Do you actually need one?
| Where you drive | IDP needed? |
|---|---|
| EU / EEA countries | ❌ No — the Lithuanian licence is enough |
| Vienna-convention countries (most of Europe, many others) | Usually no, but rental firms may ask for one |
| Geneva-convention countries (e.g. the US, Japan) | ✅ Yes — a Geneva-type IDP alongside your licence |
| Countries outside both conventions | An IDP won't help — check local rules and rental policies |
Practical reality: even where an IDP is not legally strict, car-rental desks and insurers often demand it — for a document that costs little and takes minutes to issue, it is cheap trip insurance.
The two types Regitra issues
- Vienna-convention IDP — for countries that ratified the 1968 convention. Valid as long as your national licence is valid, but no longer than 3 years.
- Geneva-convention IDP — for countries that ratified the 1949 convention (the US and Japan are the classic examples). Valid 1 year.
- The critical detail since the May 2025 rule change: the type must match the convention the destination country actually signed — a Vienna IDP shown in a Geneva country (or vice versa) can be rejected as invalid. Check the convention lists before ordering.
Who can get one and how
- Permanent residents of Lithuania holding a valid Lithuanian licence — the standard case.
- Non-EU residents who hold a valid Lithuanian licence.
- Lithuanian residents holding an EU/EEA-issued licence — they can be issued the Vienna-type IDP.
The permit is ordered at a Regitra branch — bring your ID and your valid driving licence (plus a photo, which branches can take on the spot). The IDP is a paper booklet that translates your licence into multiple languages; border officers and police abroad read it together with your national card, never instead of it.
Interesting facts 🎯
- Lithuania has been moving to ratify the 1949 Geneva convention itself — once done, Lithuanian licences would be recognised directly in the US, Japan and dozens of other states, and the Geneva IDP would become unnecessary for Lithuanians.
- An IDP does not replace a lost licence — if your card is lost abroad, the IDP alone gives you no right to drive.
- Online "IDP" sellers are a known scam genre: only state institutions (in Lithuania — Regitra) issue valid permits; laminated internet versions are worthless at any border.
- If you are exchanging a foreign licence whose format does not match the conventions, Regitra may require an IDP from your home country as a supporting document — the same booklet works in both directions.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an international driving permit in the EU?
No — within the EU and EEA the Lithuanian licence card is sufficient. An IDP matters only in third countries, primarily those of the 1949 Geneva convention such as the US and Japan.
What types of IDP does Regitra issue?
Two: a Vienna-convention permit (valid while your licence is valid, up to 3 years) and a Geneva-convention permit (valid 1 year). The type must match the convention your destination country signed.
How do I get an IDP in Lithuania?
Visit a Regitra branch with your ID and valid Lithuanian driving licence; a photo can be taken on the spot. The permit is issued as a paper booklet used together with your national licence.
Is an IDP valid on its own?
No — it is only a translation supplement. It works exclusively alongside your valid national licence and does not replace a lost or expired card.
Can holders of EU licences living in Lithuania get an IDP here?
Yes — Lithuanian residents holding an EU or EEA-issued licence can be issued the Vienna-convention type of international driving permit at Regitra.