Driving in Andorra with an Italian Driving Licence: IDP Requirements and Rules
A valid Italian driving licence can be used in Andorra for the vehicle categories it covers. Since the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic is in force for both countries, a qualifying Italian domestic licence is recognised without a separate International Driving Permit (IDP). Andorra has announced a general six-month foreign-licence period, while Italian licence holders who become resident have a specific one-year rule under the bilateral conversion agreement.
Quick answer for Italian licence holders
For a normal visit, use your valid original Italian licence. The Vienna Convention provides the legal recognition basis and does not make an IDP necessary when the domestic permit conforms to Annex 6. An IDP can still be obtained in Italy under the Vienna model, but that is different from saying it is legally required in Andorra.
Legal treatment of an Italian licence in Andorra
Andorra acceded to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic on 25 September 2024 and the Convention entered into force for Andorra on 25 September 2025. Italy is also a Contracting Party. Article 41 requires Contracting Parties to recognise a valid domestic driving permit conforming to Annex 6 for vehicles within the categories covered by that permit. Recognition does not extend to learner permits and remains subject to the conditions and restrictions attached to the licence.
IDP requirement, recommendation and model
An IDP is not legally required when the Italian domestic licence qualifies for recognition under Article 41 of the Vienna Convention. If an Italian licence holder nevertheless obtains an IDP for Andorra, the relevant Convention model is the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP, which must be used with the corresponding domestic licence. The Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport says that for non-EU travel an international permit or sworn translation is generally needed and advises travellers to verify the exact destination requirement. That general guidance does not override the more specific Convention recognition applicable between Italy and Andorra.
Visitor and resident rules
The Government of Andorra announced on 30 December 2024 that the general validity period allowing driving in Andorra with a foreign permit was reduced from one year to six months. Because the official announcement expresses this period in months, no fixed day value is stored here. A separate bilateral agreement between Italy and Andorra specifically provides that an Italian licence ceases to be valid for circulation in Andorra one year after its holder acquires residence in Andorra. The agreement also provides reciprocal recognition of valid non-provisional licences for conversion purposes.
Rental-car requirements
No named rental-company policy was verified for this Italy-to-Andorra pair. Rental documentation requirements are contractual and can be stricter than the legal minimum, so travellers should check the terms of the company supplying the vehicle rather than treating destination law as a guarantee that a particular rental company will accept the booking documents.
Police documents and insurance
Carry the valid original Italian driving licence covering the vehicle category being driven. The sources checked establish licence recognition but did not establish a pair-specific rule that Italian visitors must routinely carry an IDP. Pair-specific insurance documentation or coverage conditions were not verified – confirm with official authority.
Relevant exceptions
The Vienna Convention does not require recognition of learner permits. It permits a Contracting Party to refuse recognition for drivers under 18 and, for categories C, D, CE and DE, for drivers under 21. Any special condition endorsed on the licence must be observed. The resident conversion position is also materially different from the general visitor position because the Italy-Andorra agreement expressly addresses Italian licence holders who acquire residence in Andorra.
Official sources used
- United Nations Treaty Collection, Convention on Road Traffic, Vienna 1968: verified the participation of Italy and Andorra and the entry into force for Andorra on 25 September 2025, checked 2026-10-02, https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsIII.aspx?chapter=11&clang=_en&mtdsg_no=XI-B-19&src=TREATY
- UNECE, Convention on Road Traffic: verified Article 41 recognition of Annex 6 domestic permits and Annex 7 international permits, checked 2026-10-02, https://unece.org/DAM/trans/conventn/Conv_road_traffic_EN.pdf
- Government of Andorra, driving-permit regulation announcement dated 30 December 2024: verified the announced reduction of the foreign-permit driving period from one year to six months, checked 2026-10-02, https://www.govern.ad/ca/w/el-nou-reglament-de-permisos-de-conduir-modifica-l-edat-d-obtencio-i-la-vigencia-dels-carnets-professionals
- Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Italy-Andorra reciprocal driving-licence conversion agreement: verified reciprocal conversion recognition and the one-year resident rule for Italian licences in Andorra, checked 2026-10-02, https://www.mit.gov.it/nfsmitgov/files/media/normativa/2024-07/Accordo_Andorra.pdf
- Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, International Driving Permit guidance: verified availability and validity framework of the 1949 and 1968 IDP models and general Italian guidance for non-EU travel, checked 2026-10-02, https://www.mit.gov.it/index.php/node/2874
Practical recommendation
For a visit, carry the original valid Italian licence and confirm that its category covers the vehicle. An IDP is not legally necessary under the verified Vienna Convention recognition rule. Check any rental company separately before collecting a vehicle. If you establish residence in Andorra, do not rely on visitor treatment and arrange the resident licensing process within the specific period applicable to Italian licence holders.
Last verified
This Italy-to-Andorra driving-licence information was checked against the official sources listed above on 2026-10-02.