Every year, thousands of BiH drivers head to the coast or visit relatives in Europe with nothing but a BiH driving licence in their pocket and no additional documents. They cross the border without issues. The problems start at the first police check in Italy or Germany. A BiH driving licence is not recognised as a standalone document in most EU countries, and fines for driving without an International Driving Permit (IDP) range from several hundred to over 1,600 EUR. This guide explains where an IDP is mandatory, how much it costs, how to obtain one and what happens if you don't have it.
This guide was compiled by the Auto Gas Gaga workshop in Banja Luka, based on official data from BIHAMK, AMSRS and the traffic regulations of the countries BiH drivers visit most frequently.
Table of Contents
- What Is an International Driving Permit and Why BiH Drivers Need One
- Countries Where a BiH Licence Is Invalid Without an IDP
- Specific Fines by Country for Driving Without an IDP
- How to Get an IDP in BiH, Procedure and Cost
- DTV, Permit to Drive Someone Else's Vehicle Abroad
- Most Common Mistakes BiH Drivers Make With Documents on the Road
- Full Document Checklist for a Road Trip
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Articles
What Is an International Driving Permit and Why BiH Drivers Need One
An International Driving Permit (IDP, locally known as MVD) is a document that translates your domestic driving licence into six languages: Serbian, French, English, Spanish, Russian and German. It is not a replacement for your BiH licence but rather its official translation in a format that police in another country can read and verify without an interpreter.
Why do BiH drivers need one? Bosnia and Herzegovina is not an EU member and is not a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic in a way that would allow automatic recognition of our licences across all European countries. A BiH driving licence is printed in Latin and Cyrillic script but does not contain all the categories and codes required by the EU under Directive 2006/126/EC. The result is straightforward: in most European countries, a BiH licence without an IDP is formally not valid for operating a motor vehicle.
This does not mean you will be stopped at the border. Border police rarely check driving licences upon entry. The problem arises inside the country during a routine traffic stop, when renting a vehicle or after a traffic accident. At that point, it is established whether you have the right to operate a vehicle under the domestic laws of that country, and without an IDP the answer is almost always no.
It is important to understand that an IDP is not a new licence or an additional exam. There is no testing, no knowledge assessment, no medical examination. It is simply a formal translation of your existing licence in an internationally recognised format. But without that translation, your perfectly valid BiH driving licence simply does not exist as a legally valid document in the eyes of a German or Italian police officer.
Countries Where a BiH Licence Is Invalid Without an IDP
According to official BIHAMK data, an International Driving Permit is mandatory for BiH drivers in the following countries: Austria, Germany, Italy, Greece, France, Slovenia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, North Macedonia and Albania.
The list covers practically every popular destination for BiH drivers. Summer holidays in Greece or Italy, visiting relatives in Germany or Austria, winter sports in Slovakia or Bulgaria, study stays in the Czech Republic or Poland, transit through Slovenia or Hungary on the way to western Europe. All of these destinations require an IDP.
Three countries where a BiH licence IS valid without an IDP are the neighbouring ones: Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. Bilateral agreements enable mutual recognition of driving licences, so for a weekend at the coast or a visit to Belgrade no IDP is needed.
One thing to pay special attention to is transit. Many BiH drivers travel through Croatia to the coast in Montenegro and assume they don't need an IDP at all because they are only going to "the neighbourhood". But the moment you turn from Croatia towards Slovenia (a common route to Italy, Austria or Germany), you enter a country where an IDP is mandatory. The same logic applies to those who continue from Serbia towards Hungary or Bulgaria.
Do I Need an IDP for Croatia
No. Croatia recognises a BiH driving licence without additional documents. The same applies to Serbia and Montenegro. But the moment you continue from Croatia towards Slovenia, Italy or Hungary, you enter a country where an IDP is mandatory. The recommendation is simple: if you are going anywhere beyond neighbouring countries, get an IDP before departure. The cost of 30 KM is negligible compared to a fine of several hundred or thousand euros.
Specific Fines by Country for Driving Without an IDP
Fines for driving without an International Driving Permit vary significantly from country to country. The amounts listed below are approximate and based on the available regulations of each country. They may change with legislative amendments, but the order of magnitude remains stable and speaks clearly enough about the seriousness of the offence.
| Country | Fine | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | 400-1,602 EUR | Article 135 of the Codice della Strada, monetary fine for driving with a third-country licence without a translation |
| Germany | Criminal offence, up to 1 year imprisonment or up to 180 daily rates | §21 StVG, driving without a valid licence is treated as a criminal offence, not a misdemeanour |
| Greece | approx. 1,000 EUR | Road Traffic Act of 2018 |
| Austria | 100-500 EUR | Administrative proceedings with the possibility of temporary vehicle seizure |
| Slovenia | 300-1,200 EUR | Road Traffic Safety Act |
Fine for Driving Without an IDP in Italy
Italy is the most popular summer destination for BiH drivers and simultaneously the country with one of the highest fines. Under Article 135 of the Codice della Strada, driving with a third-country licence (non-EU) without a corresponding translation or International Driving Permit is punishable by a fine ranging from 400 to 1,602 EUR. The exact amount depends on the circumstances, but even the minimum fine of 400 EUR is thirteen times more expensive than the IDP itself.
Particular attention should be paid to Germany. There, driving without a valid licence — and this includes the situation where a BiH driver drives without an IDP — is not a misdemeanour but a criminal offence under paragraph 21 of the Road Traffic Act (StVG). The possible penalty is imprisonment of up to one year or a monetary fine of up to 180 daily rates. For a BiH driver employed in Germany or with a regulated residence, criminal proceedings for this offence can have serious consequences for both work permits and residence status. A criminal record in Germany follows you for years and can complicate future travel to any EU country.
Beyond monetary fines, police in several countries have the authority to temporarily seize the vehicle or prohibit further driving until valid documentation is obtained. This means you are left without a car in the middle of a road, in a foreign country, with towing and accommodation costs while you sort out the paperwork. If you are travelling with your family on holiday, the situation becomes considerably more complicated.
Driving without an IDP can also create problems with insurance. If you are involved in a traffic accident in a country where an IDP is mandatory and you don't have one, the insurance company may refuse or significantly reduce the damage payout by arguing that you were operating the vehicle without a valid licence. In that case, you bear the repair costs or third-party damage out of your own pocket, regardless of having valid BiH insurance.
How to Get an IDP in BiH, Procedure and Cost
The procedure for obtaining an International Driving Permit in BiH is straightforward and takes less than one working day. IDPs are issued by the auto clubs: BIHAMK (the Automobile Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina) and AMSRS (the Auto-Moto Association of Republika Srpska).
Where to Get an IDP in Banja Luka
In Banja Luka, IDPs are obtained at the AMSRS office. The cost is 30 KM. Required documents: a valid BiH driving licence, an ID card or passport, and two photographs sized 35x45 mm. The procedure is quick and in most cases is completed on the same day.
BIHAMK also issues IDPs for the same price of 30 KM, with the same required documents. BIHAMK branch offices exist in all major cities of the Federation of BiH, including Sarajevo, Mostar, Tuzla, Zenica and Bihac.
Here is a summary of the procedure:
| Step | What you need | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valid BiH driving licence | Must not be expired even on the day of application |
| 2 | ID card or passport | For applicant identification |
| 3 | Two photographs 35x45 mm | Standard biometric photographs |
| 4 | 30 KM | Fee for document issuance |
| 5 | Visit to AMSRS or BIHAMK | No prior appointment needed |
An IDP is valid for 2 years from the date of issue, regardless of the expiry date of your BiH licence. If your BiH licence expires during that period, the IDP automatically becomes invalid because it is only a translation, not a standalone document. It is therefore wise to synchronise the dates: if your licence expires in six months, renew it first and then apply for the IDP so you don't waste money on a document that will soon become useless.
The IDP is printed in six languages (Serbian, French, English, Spanish, Russian and German), meaning it is readable by police in virtually every European country without the need for additional translation. The format is internationally recognisable, with grey covers, a country-of-issue designation and the vehicle categories you are authorised to drive.
The only thing you cannot do online is collect the document itself. You must visit the office in person because your photograph is attached to the document and your signature is provided in front of an official. Plan your visit at least a week before the trip, just in case, although in practice IDPs are issued immediately.
DTV, Permit to Drive Someone Else's Vehicle Abroad
Besides the IDP, there is another document that BiH drivers often overlook: the DTV, a permit to drive someone else's vehicle abroad. This document is required if you are driving a car that is not registered in your name outside the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Difference Between the IDP and the DTV
The IDP proves that you have the right to operate a vehicle in general. The DTV proves that you have the owner's permission to operate a specific vehicle abroad. These are two completely different documents with different purposes and they are in no way interchangeable.
A practical example: you are driving a car registered to your spouse or parent on a trip to Slovenia. You have an IDP, but the car is not yours. Without a DTV, a traffic stop can lead to a serious problem because the vehicle is registered to one person while another person is driving it without written authorisation. In some countries, this is treated as unauthorised use of someone else's vehicle, especially if you cannot prove you have the owner's permission. The outcome can be temporary seizure of the vehicle until ownership and consent are clarified.
A DTV is also obtained from BIHAMK or AMSRS. The cost is 25 KM. Both the vehicle owner and the user (the person who will drive) must be present for issuance, with the vehicle registration certificate and passports of both parties. The DTV is valid until the vehicle's registration expires, up to a maximum of one year.
| Document | Purpose | Cost | Validity | Issued by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IDP | Translation of licence for use abroad | 30 KM | 2 years | BIHAMK, AMSRS |
| DTV | Permit to drive someone else's vehicle abroad | 25 KM | Until registration expires, max 1 year | BIHAMK, AMSRS |
If you are travelling in your own vehicle registered in your name, you do not need a DTV. If you are travelling in someone else's vehicle, you need both documents: the IDP for yourself as the driver and the DTV for the right to operate that specific vehicle. The total cost for both documents is 55 KM, which is far less than any fine you face without them.
Most Common Mistakes BiH Drivers Make With Documents on the Road
During the travel season, BIHAMK and the media regularly warn about the same mistakes that are repeated year after year. Recognise them before they cost you.
The first and most common mistake is departing without an IDP, convinced that a BiH licence "works everywhere". At the border, it usually does because border police do not check driving licences upon entry. The problem arises inside the country, at the first routine check or, worse, after an accident.
The second mistake is an expired IDP. Drivers obtain an IDP once, forget that it is valid for only 2 years, and set off on their next trip with a document that has expired in the meantime. Check the expiry date before every trip, just as you check whether your passport is valid.
The third mistake is driving someone else's car without a DTV. Families often travel in one car registered to one family member while another drives. A husband drives a car registered to his wife, a son drives a car registered to his father. Without a DTV, this can escalate into a serious problem at a police check, particularly in countries that strictly verify whether the driver and registered owner match.
The fourth mistake is relying on photocopies or scans on a phone. The IDP must be an original, physical document. A photocopy has no legal force and the police will not accept it as a substitute for the original, regardless of how legible it is.
The fifth mistake is confusing the IDP with a Green Card insurance certificate. The Green Card proves that your car has insurance coverage abroad. The IDP proves that you are authorised to drive. These are two separate documents, both mandatory, and one does not replace the other.
The sixth mistake is assuming that a car rental company abroad will not ask a BiH citizen for an IDP.
Does a Car Rental Company Require an IDP
As a rule, yes. Major car rental companies in the EU require an IDP from every driver whose domestic licence was not issued in an EU or EEA country. This includes BiH, Serbia, Turkey and all other non-EU countries. Sometimes a smaller local agency may overlook this requirement, but it is not worth counting on because without an IDP you are effectively uninsured if you are involved in an accident in a rental vehicle. Damage to a rental car without valid driving documentation falls directly on you, without insurance policy protection.
Full Document Checklist for a Road Trip
Before you set off, run through a simple five-document check. Five minutes of effort that protect you from hours of complications on the road.
Passport (mandatory for every country outside BiH, including neighbouring ones). Valid BiH driving licence (original, not a photocopy). IDP, if you are going to any country other than Croatia, Serbia or Montenegro. Green Card insurance certificate (international vehicle insurance, issued by your insurance company or BIHAMK). And DTV, if you are driving a car registered to another person.
A detailed overview of all the mechanical and technical things to check on your car before departure can be found in the guide what to check on your car before a long trip. Documents are half the story, and the technical condition of the vehicle is the other half.
If, despite your preparations, a breakdown or accident occurs on the road, it is useful to know in advance what to do and who to call when your car breaks down abroad. And for a review of current traffic regulations and fines, see traffic fines in BiH 2026 after the ZOBS amendments.
Preparing your documents before departure takes less time than a coffee break. An IDP takes half an hour and 30 KM to obtain. A DTV costs 25 KM. That is a total of 55 KM for complete documentation, less than a single speeding fine in BiH, yet it protects you from fines abroad that exceed a thousand euros and from criminal proceedings in some countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an International Driving Permit cost in BiH?
An IDP costs 30 KM and is issued by BIHAMK and AMSRS. The price is the same at all branch offices. A valid BiH driving licence, an ID card or passport and two 35x45 mm photographs are required for issuance.
How long is an IDP valid?
An IDP is valid for 2 years from the date of issue. If your BiH driving licence expires during that period, the IDP automatically becomes invalid because it is only a translation, not a standalone driving document.
Do I need an IDP for Croatia, Serbia or Montenegro?
No. Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro bilaterally recognise BiH driving licences. An IDP is not required for these three countries. But the moment you continue from Croatia or Serbia into an EU country, you enter territory where an IDP is mandatory.
What is the difference between an IDP and a DTV?
The IDP is a translation of your driving licence into six languages and proves that you have the right to operate a vehicle. The DTV is a permit to drive someone else's vehicle abroad and proves that you have the owner's consent. If you are driving your own car, you only need the IDP. If you are driving someone else's car, you need both documents.
What happens if I am stopped without an IDP in Germany?
In Germany, driving without a valid licence (which includes driving without an IDP for a non-EU driver) is treated as a criminal offence under paragraph 21 of the StVG. The possible penalty is imprisonment of up to one year or a monetary fine calculated at daily rates. Additionally, your vehicle may be temporarily seized.
Can I use the IDP instead of my BiH driving licence?
No. The IDP is not a replacement for a BiH driving licence but rather its official translation. You must carry both documents with you. An IDP without the original BiH licence has no legal force, just as a translated diploma does not replace the original diploma.