International Driving Permits now available on the spot at Sydney Airport

Australians heading overseas can now pick up an International Driving Permit (IDP) at Sydney Airport, under a new program launched by the NRMA and car hire partner Sixt. 

The service, available at the Sixt counter in the international arrivals terminal, allows travellers to have their permit issued on the spot – a move designed to save time and avoid last-minute delivery delays. 

Each year, around 160,000 drivers across NSW and the ACT apply for an IDP, which is recognised in more than 150 countries and is often required to rent or drive vehicles overseas. 

The NRMA is the only official issuer of IDPs in NSW and the ACT.  

Faster turnaround for travellers 

The new in-person service offers a quicker alternative to postal delivery, with staff able to print and verify documents immediately. If there’s an error or missing detail on the application, it can be fixed straight away, avoiding the need to wait for a reissue to be mailed out. 

For travellers who realise they need an IDP just before departure, it also avoids the $11.60 postage fee and postal wait time. 

Available at other locations 

The Sydney Airport counter joins other trial locations including: 

• Sixt Castle Hill 
• Sixt Artarmon 
• Canberra Airport (international terminal)
• NRMA reception, Sydney Olympic Park

Why an IDP matters 

The announcement comes on the heels of a string of scooter and moped accidents overseas that have left Australian travellers facing hefty medical bills with no insurance cover. In destinations such as Bali, Thailand and Italy, local traffic authorities require riders to hold both a valid Australian motorcycle licence and an International Driving Permit. 

Without both documents, travel insurers can refuse to pay out for accidents – even when medical evacuation or hospital care runs into tens of thousands of dollars. 

Recent crackdowns in Bali, for example, have seen police confiscate scooters and fine tourists found riding without the correct documentation. Insurers also warn that if a traveller isn’t licensed to ride a motorcycle in Australia, they won’t be covered for doing so overseas. 

Both the NRMA and the Australian Automobile Association remind travellers that an IDP isn’t just for cars and campervans: along with the correct Australian vehicle licence, it’s also essential for hiring scooters, mopeds and motorbikes abroad. 

How to apply for an IDP 

Travellers with NSW and ACT licences can apply for an IDP online via the NRMA, but those flying soon can now collect in person at Sydney Airport or selected NSW and ACT outlets. 

Drivers and riders in other states should visit their local motorist association, such as the RACV or RACQ, for an IDP.