Hold an IDP to be on the safe side
If you have the time, we always recommend to purchase an IDP, even if the information on our website says with confidence that you won't need one.
While renting a car in USA-Nevada it is uncertain whether our Australian license will be accepted. We will clear the uncertainty in this article.
Differnet rental branches may ask you to show an IDP.
Please select your upcoming trip rental branch for the most accurate guidelines.
At this point in time, we have not yet collected the rental terms of rental companies in USA-Nevada. Please visit us again in a later time to get more specific details.
To determine with confidence whether you need an IDP or not, we check multiple data sources. Please review the following legal terms of: the Australian laws, the local laws in USA-Nevada, the rental company requirements and real life reports we collected from other Australian travelers in USA-Nevada.
We have not yet collected the Australian laws. Please visit us again in a later time.
The laws in USA-Nevada say the following:
Nevada honors licenses and permits issued by the appropriate government agency in another state or country. Drivers under 18 must obey the restrictions listed under .
An International Driver License (IDL) is not required for foreign visitors. An IDL must be accompanied by a government-issued driver license. An IDL is only a translation of a license. It is not valid by itself.
Source: Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
It means that:
1. Yes, holders of an Australian driving license can drive in Nevada, USA. According to the information provided from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, Nevada recognizes licenses issued by other countries, provided they are government-issued. Since the Australian driving license is in English and includes all necessary identification details such as the driver's photo, name, birth date, address, expiry date, and the classes of allowed vehicles to drive, it meets the requirements for being recognized in Nevada. Additionally, the Australian license complies with international conventions to which the USA is also a party.
2. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not required for Australian license holders driving in Nevada. The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles states that an International Driver License (which is synonymous with an International Driving Permit) is not required for foreign visitors. It also clarifies that an IDL/IDP must be accompanied by a government-issued driver's license and is only a translation of a license, not valid by itself. Since the Australian license is already in English and provides all the necessary information, the IDP would be redundant in this case. Therefore, Australian drivers can legally drive in Nevada with their valid Australian driving license without the need for an IDP.
Different rental agencies might still require an IDP even while the local laws do not require it. Please find your appropriate local supplier in the list above to verify.
We don't have any real life reports by Australian travelers in USA-Nevada.
If you've been there and was pulled over by the local officials, please share your experience with us and we will publish it to help others.
Facts check reviewed on 6 March 2024 at 10:51 pm by PaapmPaapm editorial team.
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If you have the time, we always recommend to purchase an IDP, even if the information on our website says with confidence that you won't need one.