Can you drive in Pakistan with a UK licence? Here's what you need to know

If you are planning to hit roads in Pakistan with a UK driving licence, think twice before turning the ignition. A foreign licence might not be your golden ticket to drive without an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Imagine arriving in Pakistan, ready to navigate the bustling streets, only to find out that your UK driving licence alone won’t cut it. The rules here are clear: if you want to drive legally, you will need an IDP alongside your valid licence. This isn’t just a formality; it is a legal necessity.

Geo Digital spoke to Sindh DIG Licensing and Traffic Iqbal Dara, who shed light on this issue: "We provide legal protection to foreign nationals driving in Pakistan under the Vienna Convention of 1968. This convention, signed in Paris, allows citizens of signatory countries to drive legally in other member states. Pakistan is a signatory to this agreement."

He further clarified that UK citizens with a valid IDP can indeed drive in Pakistan, but only if it is accompanied by their driving licence.

This legal requirement was spotlighted recently in a high-profile case involving a traffic incident on Karachi’s Karsaz Road. The accused, who held a UK driving licence, had her lawyer argue that the licence was valid worldwide. However, as Dara points out, without the IDP, even the most prestigious foreign licences cannot shield you from legal consequences in Pakistan.

In Sindh, obtaining an IDP is straightforward and affordable, with a fee of just Rs1,100. Yet, Dara adds a surprising trend: many Pakistanis are quick to secure an IDP out of fear of foreign laws if they are planning to move abroad but often overlook getting a driving licence in their own country. This lack of awareness can have serious repercussions. The traffic police personnel also warns that driving without a licence in Pakistan could lead to severe legal consequences, including charges as grave as murder in the event of an accident.

So, what exactly is an IDP, and how does it work?

An IDP is essentially your passport to driving abroad, complementing your domestic driving licence. It’s not a replacement but a necessary companion that ensures you’re legally recognised to drive in other countries.

The history of the IDP dates back to the 1926 Motor Traffic Convention in Paris, with further developments under the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention. These agreements have shaped the current system, where many countries, including Pakistan, accept IDPs issued under these conventions.

If you hold a UK driving licence and plan to drive in Pakistan, be sure to have the 1968 IDP in hand. The UK government’s official website confirms that this is the recognised permit for driving in Pakistan, underscoring the need to be fully prepared before you take the wheel in a foreign land.