Serbia - without an IDP
 

Has anyone tried and been successful at entering Serbia without an International Driving Permit?

See, I want to cross from Croatia next weekend, probably through the Batrovci border crossing.

I have my ordinary UK photo licence and paper counterpart, BUT for the first time in ages I'm not travelling with an International Driving Permit [doh], thinking that - maybe unwisely and without sufficient forethought - that in 'European' territory an IDP would be unnecessary.

The requirement for an IDP can be a bit 'hit-and-miss' no matter where you are in the world, so I have discovered. However, the FCO's relevant web page indicates that an IDP is mandatory: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad...y-and-security

There again, I have researched further advice suggesting that just my UK licence on its own will be sufficient: EU driving license is valid in Serbia | LivinginBelgrade.com

Can anyone shed some light? Otherwise I'm going to have to simply rock-up at the border and look all innocent (could be tricky! :innocent:)

Thanks

Don't worry about International driving permit for Serbia ...it is not necessary to haw, in order to cross the border ....I went with out one all the way to Japan last year and no problem at all....
Welcome to Serbia :mchappy:

I would be shocked if you were even asked for a license. I have never been asked in EU or directly adjacent countries. Except when purchasing border insurance.

Been through Serbia twice in the last three months. They will ask for your passport and the vehicle registration and insurance papers. That is likely to be all unless there is some irregularity.

Ours is German registration and the Green insurance document.

They - and other countries apart from Turkey, didn't even bother with the fact that the vehicle papers are in a company name and so completely different to our passport name. Turkey did the job properly and I had to explain the discrepancy.

IDP - been carrying a current permit for several years and never been asked for it.

Keith:

The International Driving Permit (IDP) is nothing more than an official translation of your driver licence into a number of languages (about 6 different languages).

It was useful and important many years ago (like, in the 1950s and 1960s) when very few people travelled out of their home country, and very few officials spoke languages other than their home country language.

Today, it's almost a historical artifact. I've carried one for 30 years, and never had any need to produce it.

If your driver licence is written in English (which I presume it is), then don't worry about going into Serbia with only your national licence. It's quite probable that the border officials will have sufficient grasp of the English language to read your national licence... assuming, of course, that they even ask to see it.

If you were going into rural Russia, or rural China, or the backwoods of Arabic speaking countries... well, that's another matter entirely. In such a case it would probably be a good idea to have an IDP with you to serve as a translation of your national licence.

Michael

Like all the above posters told you, nothing to be worried about, you do not need IDP.
Enjoy your ride, and see you soon bier ,

Dooby

Thanks for all your kind replies and remarks.

[I'm a bit of a worrier - and always have been. :unsure:] Yesterday, I had put together a contingency to skirt around the top of Serbia, through southern Hungary, to get into Romania. I'll bin that idea now and head straight for Batrovci from Zagreb.

@ Frgich: Dooby, today we are visiting Krka National Park. We'll be heading your way tomorrow after breakfast. See you sometime during the afternoon. :)

K&E

Ah yes, the " Officer. But, but BUT ......... Fred from the HUBB forum said I didn't need to ...." defense.

Hey you two, I hope that Krka national park was a nice experience for you. It's really hot in the last couple of weeks all over Croatia, so I bet you took a swim :thumbup1:

Enjoy the road, and we'll be waiting for you,

Dooby

Hi we crossed into Serbia for a brief visit last week am currently sunning myself in a roasting hot montenegro, all they wanted to see, other than your passport was the v5 and green card. I only have the old duffers driving licence which I supplement with my passport. Anyways never mind the idp it's high factor sun cream you want, it has been low thirties around here for last two weeks..........

Hi all,
I'm thinking of going to the Balkans, Albania and Macedonia in a couple of weeks time. Was scratching my head as to whether I need an International Driver's Licence or not - for Albania, most particularly, as will be entering through ferry to Durres.
So will an EU driving licence suffice? I was in Montenegro and Bosnia a couple of years back and wasn't asked for it at all.
Thanks!

I was concerned about not having an international driving permit, but only for Serbia, as the FCO stipulates one is necessary for this particular country.

As it turned out, all the above reassuring comments were correct. An IDP was not a prerequisite for entry into Serbia. In fact, all the border official wanted to see was my EU passport. No driving documentation was asked for whatsoever; not even insurance coverage, i.e. green card or a temporary border cover note.

After the immigration check, I just rode on through. Mind you, it was a Sunday (quiet) and therefore not a 'business as usual' day - maybe that's how I escaped the insurance requirement. :confused2:

Your EU driving licence will be sufficient for Macedonia and Albania. Motor insurance cover, however, is mandatory. If your domestic insurance policy or green card doesn't include cover for these two countries, then you'll be obliged to buy temporary cover at the border crossings.
.

There is a difference between what is officially legally required and what is commonly asked for.

If you have a legal incident/problem then you may 'need' an IDP .. and if you don't have one then 'they' may find that an easy thing to pursue for a fine rather than just lecture you for the original 'offence' and let you go. Just up to the people involved at the time, and a big influence here may be your attitude as perceived by them.

Broadening the topic a bit now that the original question has been asked and answered, I've been asked for my drivers license a couple of times in South America, the most recent in Colombia, so now I hand over photocopies of that as well as the title and registration papers. Saves a trip back to the copyshop.

Laminated colour copies of the licence (if it is laminated itself).
Colour copies of the other paperwork too.

Originals ... try to keep them out of other peoples hands.