Get your International Driving Permit for Cuba in 8 minutes

Your license instantly translated and valid in 150+ countries. Travel freely to multiple destinations with a single permit — use in unlimited countries during validity period.

Does Cuba require an International Driving Permit?

Original license
Always required
Format accepted
Printed & digital
Issuer matters
Verify authority recognition
Valid from entry
Up to 3 years

Cuba allows foreign nationals to drive for up to one year from entry with a recognized International Driving Permit alongside their valid domestic license. Issuing authority recognition matters here, confirm yours is accepted before driving.

Driver type Requirement Notes
Tourist / short-term visitor Required in most cases Carry original license at all times
Rental car driver Commonly required Verify issuing authority with your rental company
Long-term foreign resident Different rules apply After 1 year, a local license may be needed
Mutually recognized license holder May be exempt Depends on home country agreement

Also traveling to other countries? An International Drivers Association International Driving Permit is widely recognized across many destinations worldwide and can make rental pickups, police checks, and border crossings smoother throughout the rest of your trip.

What are the requirements to get an International Driving Permit in Cuba?

Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements and have the following documents ready before you start.

Documents needed

All it takes is what’s already in your wallet

  • Valid domestic driver’s license
  • Passport-style photo
  • Valid government-issued ID
  • Completed online application

Eligibility

You must meet every condition below

  • 18 years or older
  • Valid home country license
  • License not suspended
  • Applicable from home or abroad

Can foreigners drive in Cuba?

Yes, foreigners can drive in the country as long as they are carrying an International Driving Permit and their National Driving Licence. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your valid driving license into 12 of the widely used languages worldwide. Our International Driving Permit (IDP) enables any foreign tourist to drive in 165+ countries including the following:

  • Mexico
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Dominican Republic
  • Guatemala
  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Norway
  • Panama
  • Switzerland
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Ukraine
  • Uruguay
  • Argentina
  • Barbados
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Costa rica
  • Cote D’Ivoire
  • Ecuador
  • Cyprus
  • El Salvador
  • Ghana
  • Honduras
  • Japan
  • Liberia
  • Macao
  • Malaysia
  • Moldova
  • Netherlands
  • Nicaragua
  • Pakistan
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Spain
  • United Kingdom
  • Venezuela
  • and more!

What is the process to get international driving permit in Cuba?

Getting an International Driving Permit (IDP) for the country is relatively easy. You only need to click on the “Start My Application” button on the upper right corner of the page. Next, you have to fill that out, attach a copy of your valid driver’s license, and then your passport-size photo. Lastly, you’ll pay for your International Driving Permit (IDP) fee by inputting your credit card details.

Top Destinations in Cuba

Cuba is known for the classic and vintage cars on its roads and the country's spectacular beauty and adventure. The island attracts travelers from all over the world who are so eager to visit the island. In the country, you'll be welcome with the locals' warm personality, streets filled with lively music, vintage atmosphere, and the scenic view of this country’s top destinations.

Trinidad

Trinidad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s best road trip destinations. When you step foot on its land, it feels like you are stepping back in time because of the preserved neo-baroque style buildings and infrastructures that the town screams a picturesque colonial impression.

Beyond Trinidad's well-maintained vintage structures and ambiance are a vast prosperous sugar cane plantation, sugar mills, and other facilities about the country’s sugar productions. Trinidad has so much to offer from sceneries and activities that you should not miss.

When is the best time to go?

You can visit Trinidad all-year round but the best months to visit are January to April and November to December. During these months, the weather is perfect and refreshing, which is best for exploring and traveling around Trinidad's top tourist spots.

When is the worst time to go?

The worst time to visit Trinidad during the rainy season, from August to October. A sprinkle of rain to heavy downpours and hurricanes are most likely to happen in these months, hindering you from exploring every Trinidad's corner to the fullest.

Camagüey

Camagüey is the third-largest city in the country, located in the center of the island. A historical center that is well preserved made Camagüey the ninth UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cuba. The city is the island's least visited spot, but the real Cuban life is found and will be experienced in the beautiful city of Camagüey.

When is the best time to go?

The best time to visit Camagüey is from November to March. The weather during those months is ideal for exploring every corner of the place and experiencing the simple yet wonderful Cuban life at its finest.

When is the worst time to go?

There is no worst time to visit Camagüey, and it depends on what weather you prefer when traveling and exploring the corners of Camagüey. The busiest month for tourism is December to February, where the accommodation is most expensive these months and most tourists prefer to visit when the housing is least costly.

Viñales

Viñales is a top destination in the country where you can relax from traveling cities, experience, and appreciate Viñales famous natural beauty. This small town is located in the national park's green valley in the country’s Pinar del Rio region, where you can find the grand Viñales valley.

The town has the best climate that makes the locals have unique and the best tobacco. Locals of Viñales still use the traditional ways and techniques on their agricultural products, particularly tobacco production.

What Is the Best Time to go?

The dry season is the best time to visit Viñales from November to April. However, it is also the busiest time in the town. It is ideal to book a casa or hotel in advance during the Christmas and Easter holidays the town is flocked with tourists.

What Is the Worst Time to go?

The rainy season is the worst time to go in Viñales with the daily showers and sometimes hurricanes. It is hard to explore and have an adventure. It is also part of the year in Viñales where the humidity level is almost unbearable.

Varadero

Varadero is the largest resort in the Caribbean, known for the country’s famous best beaches with a stretch of 20km fine white sand and have over 50 developing and growing hotels and tourist establishments.

It is the favorite destination for tourists and locals who want to stroll and relax under the sun and island breeze. Varadero is not only a place to spend your holiday on the beach but also a destination to discover historical heritage, perfect for tourists who are history enthusiasts.

When is the best time to go?

The best time to travel in Varadero is between mid-November to mid-April because it has the most pleasant climate to have fun at the beach and explore the place under the sun. It is the best time for tourists to enjoy outdoor activities.

When is the worst time to go?

Varadero's warm weather is perfect and suits the beach year-round, but in May through October, there are tendencies to rain, for it is the rainiest month in Varadero. The best time will depend on the traveler's preferences if they are more into indoor activities and fine with traveling in the rain.

Havana

Havana is the capital and the largest city in Cuba, also known as the eternal summer city trapped in time. Havana is the leading commercial center of the country of Cuba and is acknowledged as its principal port.

Havana's filled with upbeat music, salsa, vintage ambiance, cocktails, and picturesque views. The town is like a dream of living in the past. It is filled with colonial-era architectural infrastructures, classic cars, and the color to a faded paint of the structures.

When is the best time to go?

You can visit Havana any day of the year, but the best time to visit the city is from December to May. The temperature is warm, and you'll see sunny and cloudless skies. The weather in Cuba is quite diverse; June is the start of the wet season, August to October sometimes brings hurricanes.

When is the worst time to go?

There is no worst time to visit Havana, even in the year's wet season, because you don't experience many heavy downpours. It will only depend on your preferences. During the wet season, the travel and hotel costs are much lower than the other season.

Most Important Cuba Driving Rules

Driving to Cuba's top destinations is a dream come true for many. However, to ensure a hassle-free and trouble-free journey, adherence to the Cuba driving rules and guidelines is essential. These rules, imposed by the Cuban authorities, align with those in many other countries, and tourists are not exempt. Here is a rundown of the most important Cuba driving rules that you need to strictly follow while navigating the roads of this beautiful island nation.

Don't drive at night

Driving at night in Cuba is not encouraged because of the lack of streetlights. Most trucks and vehicles in Cuba don't have lights, or their headlight is not working. Lots of people are walking in the middle of the road, especially at night.

When driving on the right side of the road, you must be mindful and watch out for cyclists that sometimes ride in the middle of the road and many people walking on the Cuban streets, especially at night. That is why you should not exceed the speed limit and be careful in driving around the island's road.

Drive below the speed limit

The speed limit of 80 kilometers (50 miles) per hour is the main roads' average speed limit. The speed limit of 50 kilometers (31 miles) per hour is the average speed per hour on the main streets with a maximum speed limit of 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour.

On the secondary roads exceeding the speed limit of 50 kilometers (31 miles) per hour is not allowed in Cuba. You need to avoid overspeeding; you can drive about 70 kilometers (43 miles) per hour on average is a safe and normal travel pace in Cuba.

Drive on the right side of the road

In Cuba, driving is on the right-hand side of the road, and it is the same with most countries around the world. When you're driving on the side of the road, you need to be cautious for some locals sometimes walk in the middle of the road, especially at night, and some cyclist you might encounter cycling on your side.

Can foreigners drive in Cuba?

Yes, foreigners can drive in the country as long as they are carrying an International Driving Permit and their National Driving Licence. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your valid driving license into 12 of the widely used languages worldwide. Our International Driving Permit (IDP) enables any foreign tourist to drive in 165+ countries including the following:

  • Mexico
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Dominican Republic
  • Guatemala
  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Norway
  • Panama
  • Switzerland
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Ukraine
  • Uruguay
  • Argentina
  • Barbados
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Costa rica
  • Cote D’Ivoire
  • Ecuador
  • Cyprus
  • El Salvador
  • Ghana
  • Honduras
  • Japan
  • Liberia
  • Macao
  • Malaysia
  • Moldova
  • Netherlands
  • Nicaragua
  • Pakistan
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Spain
  • United Kingdom
  • Venezuela
  • and more!

What is the process to get international driving permit in Cuba?

Getting an International Driving Permit (IDP) for the country is relatively easy. You only need to click on the “Start My Application” button on the upper right corner of the page. Next, you have to fill that out, attach a copy of your valid driver’s license, and then your passport-size photo. Lastly, you’ll pay for your International Driving Permit (IDP) fee by inputting your credit card details.

Top Destinations in Cuba

Cuba is known for the classic and vintage cars on its roads and the country's spectacular beauty and adventure. The island attracts travelers from all over the world who are so eager to visit the island. In the country, you'll be welcome with the locals' warm personality, streets filled with lively music, vintage atmosphere, and the scenic view of this country’s top destinations.

Trinidad

Trinidad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s best road trip destinations. When you step foot on its land, it feels like you are stepping back in time because of the preserved neo-baroque style buildings and infrastructures that the town screams a picturesque colonial impression.

Beyond Trinidad's well-maintained vintage structures and ambiance are a vast prosperous sugar cane plantation, sugar mills, and other facilities about the country’s sugar productions. Trinidad has so much to offer from sceneries and activities that you should not miss.

When is the best time to go?

You can visit Trinidad all-year round but the best months to visit are January to April and November to December. During these months, the weather is perfect and refreshing, which is best for exploring and traveling around Trinidad's top tourist spots.

When is the worst time to go?

The worst time to visit Trinidad during the rainy season, from August to October. A sprinkle of rain to heavy downpours and hurricanes are most likely to happen in these months, hindering you from exploring every Trinidad's corner to the fullest.

Camagüey

Camagüey is the third-largest city in the country, located in the center of the island. A historical center that is well preserved made Camagüey the ninth UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cuba. The city is the island's least visited spot, but the real Cuban life is found and will be experienced in the beautiful city of Camagüey.

When is the best time to go?

The best time to visit Camagüey is from November to March. The weather during those months is ideal for exploring every corner of the place and experiencing the simple yet wonderful Cuban life at its finest.

When is the worst time to go?

There is no worst time to visit Camagüey, and it depends on what weather you prefer when traveling and exploring the corners of Camagüey. The busiest month for tourism is December to February, where the accommodation is most expensive these months and most tourists prefer to visit when the housing is least costly.

Viñales

Viñales is a top destination in the country where you can relax from traveling cities, experience, and appreciate Viñales famous natural beauty. This small town is located in the national park's green valley in the country’s Pinar del Rio region, where you can find the grand Viñales valley.

The town has the best climate that makes the locals have unique and the best tobacco. Locals of Viñales still use the traditional ways and techniques on their agricultural products, particularly tobacco production.

What Is the Best Time to go?

The dry season is the best time to visit Viñales from November to April. However, it is also the busiest time in the town. It is ideal to book a casa or hotel in advance during the Christmas and Easter holidays the town is flocked with tourists.

What Is the Worst Time to go?

The rainy season is the worst time to go in Viñales with the daily showers and sometimes hurricanes. It is hard to explore and have an adventure. It is also part of the year in Viñales where the humidity level is almost unbearable.

Varadero

Varadero is the largest resort in the Caribbean, known for the country’s famous best beaches with a stretch of 20km fine white sand and have over 50 developing and growing hotels and tourist establishments.

It is the favorite destination for tourists and locals who want to stroll and relax under the sun and island breeze. Varadero is not only a place to spend your holiday on the beach but also a destination to discover historical heritage, perfect for tourists who are history enthusiasts.

When is the best time to go?

The best time to travel in Varadero is between mid-November to mid-April because it has the most pleasant climate to have fun at the beach and explore the place under the sun. It is the best time for tourists to enjoy outdoor activities.

When is the worst time to go?

Varadero's warm weather is perfect and suits the beach year-round, but in May through October, there are tendencies to rain, for it is the rainiest month in Varadero. The best time will depend on the traveler's preferences if they are more into indoor activities and fine with traveling in the rain.

Havana

Havana is the capital and the largest city in Cuba, also known as the eternal summer city trapped in time. Havana is the leading commercial center of the country of Cuba and is acknowledged as its principal port.

Havana's filled with upbeat music, salsa, vintage ambiance, cocktails, and picturesque views. The town is like a dream of living in the past. It is filled with colonial-era architectural infrastructures, classic cars, and the color to a faded paint of the structures.

When is the best time to go?

You can visit Havana any day of the year, but the best time to visit the city is from December to May. The temperature is warm, and you'll see sunny and cloudless skies. The weather in Cuba is quite diverse; June is the start of the wet season, August to October sometimes brings hurricanes.

When is the worst time to go?

There is no worst time to visit Havana, even in the year's wet season, because you don't experience many heavy downpours. It will only depend on your preferences. During the wet season, the travel and hotel costs are much lower than the other season.

Most Important Cuba Driving Rules

Driving to Cuba's top destinations is a dream come true for many. However, to ensure a hassle-free and trouble-free journey, adherence to the Cuba driving rules and guidelines is essential. These rules, imposed by the Cuban authorities, align with those in many other countries, and tourists are not exempt. Here is a rundown of the most important Cuba driving rules that you need to strictly follow while navigating the roads of this beautiful island nation.

Don't drive at night

Driving at night in Cuba is not encouraged because of the lack of streetlights. Most trucks and vehicles in Cuba don't have lights, or their headlight is not working. Lots of people are walking in the middle of the road, especially at night.

When driving on the right side of the road, you must be mindful and watch out for cyclists that sometimes ride in the middle of the road and many people walking on the Cuban streets, especially at night. That is why you should not exceed the speed limit and be careful in driving around the island's road.

Drive below the speed limit

The speed limit of 80 kilometers (50 miles) per hour is the main roads' average speed limit. The speed limit of 50 kilometers (31 miles) per hour is the average speed per hour on the main streets with a maximum speed limit of 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour.

On the secondary roads exceeding the speed limit of 50 kilometers (31 miles) per hour is not allowed in Cuba. You need to avoid overspeeding; you can drive about 70 kilometers (43 miles) per hour on average is a safe and normal travel pace in Cuba.

Drive on the right side of the road

In Cuba, driving is on the right-hand side of the road, and it is the same with most countries around the world. When you're driving on the side of the road, you need to be cautious for some locals sometimes walk in the middle of the road, especially at night, and some cyclist you might encounter cycling on your side.

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Print + Digital International Driving Permit
Print + Digital International Driving Permit

Print + Digital International Driving Permit

Maximum coverage – includes everything you might need abroad

  • Free access to all benefits of the digital International Driving Permit format included
  • Accepted in 189+ countries – travel without worries
  • Includes a free ID card with English license details
  • Globally recognized & meets international standards
  • Essential for non-English speaking countries
Digital International Driving Permit

Digital International Driving Permit

Instant Peace of Mind – Ready for Download in Minutes

  • Easily accessible digital format, accepted in many countries
  • Can be obtained online, fast and easy process
  • Accepted widely, but not in all countries
  • Doesn't include printed booklet and complementary plastic card

You will receive a printed and digital International Driving License booklet and card. The digital International Driving Permit is sent in 8 minutes and your physical International Driving Permit will be mailed. Click here for information on countries with International Driving Permit limitations.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to common queries and get the information you need quickly and easily.

An International Driving Permit is a translation document of your driver's license in several languages. It is a translation booklet that translates your driver's license into a language your destination country understands. This allows foreign drivers to legally drive a private motor vehicle and can be a form of identification.

It is an international travel document and not a replacement for your domestic driver's license or a legal document like a passport. An International Driving Permit is only valid if you have your original license with you.

Some countries, car rental agencies, insurance companies, and/or traffic authorities may ask to see your International Driving Permit whenever you are abroad, so it is best to keep one handy at all times. You should always carry and show your domestic driver's license along with the International Driving Permit whenever asked.
An international driver's license, technically, does not exist, so it does not grant any driving privileges and is not considered a substitute for a valid domestic driver's license. But most drivers interchangeably use this term with an international driving permit.

An international driving permit (International Driving Permit) is a travel document governed by international conventions. It is a translation of a driver's license that allows the holder to drive abroad. An International Driving Permit is not a replacement for your valid driver's license from your home country.
There are some countries that may or may not recognize your domestic driver's license but will officially recognize an International Driving Permit, which offers a local language translation of your valid license.

In some cases, the destination country's government may not require foreign visitors to have an International Driving Permit, but some car rental companies (such as Hertz, Avis, etc.) may require an international driving permit for you to rent a car.

Quiz: Take our quiz or contact your destination's traffic authorities and offices for more information.
This International Driving Permit follows the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.

Most countries recognize the International Driving Permit if presented alongside your domestic driving license. Drivers from countries that use non-Roman alphabets (like Thailand or Russia) are often advised to obtain an International Driving Permit.

Not recognized in: North Korea, South Korea, Japan

Only accept one-year validity printed International Driving Permit: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Spain, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

China does not recognize international driver's licenses, and foreign drivers need to obtain a Chinese driver's license.
To get an International Driving Permit, you will need:

• A valid domestic driving license
• A passport-style photo

Process:
1. Fill out the form
2. Upload photos of the back and front of your domestic driving license
3. Upload a passport-style photo
4. Attach your digital signature

Start your application here
To be eligible, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a holder of a valid domestic driving license issued by your home country
Applying for an International Driving Permit in your home country varies and will most likely take 2–3 weeks, longer if you mail your application rather than visit in person. It is recommended to apply at least 6 months before your overseas trip.

Some providers claim application processing in less than 2 weeks via express shipping.
An International Driving Permit is essentially a translation document of your driver's license in several different languages. It is used to translate your driver's license into a language that your destination country understands.

It is not a replacement for your original driver's license or a legal document like a passport. An International Driving Permit is only valid if you have your original license with you.
Available in 12 languages, making it easier for you to communicate with foreign officials and understand traffic signs and regulations in countries where English is not widely spoken. This added convenience and accessibility helps you navigate foreign roads more confidently.
This longer validity period is presented as useful for frequent travelers planning multiple trips and extended stays abroad, reducing the need to obtain a new International Driving Permit for every trip.
Driving without a valid license in a foreign country can result in fines, legal trouble, or other penalties. An International Driving Permit helps demonstrate that you are properly licensed in your home country when driving abroad.
Some services claim you can obtain an International Driving Permit at an affordable price without compromising on quality or service, and warn against overpriced or fake permits from unofficial providers.
Some providers offer worldwide express shipping so travelers can receive their International Driving Permit quickly and efficiently before their trip.
Fast application process
Worldwide acceptance
Money-back guarantee