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8 Jun 2015
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, UK
Posts: 597
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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 [  ], 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!  )
Thanks
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8 Jun 2015
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: cacak/Serbia
Posts: 174
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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
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8 Jun 2015
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Home in Essex GB
Posts: 564
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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.
__________________
Regards Tim
Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway
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8 Jun 2015
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NSW Australia - but never there
Posts: 1,235
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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.
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8 Jun 2015
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Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
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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
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8 Jun 2015
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
Posts: 427
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Like all the above posters told you, nothing to be worried about, you do not need IDP.
Enjoy your ride, and see you soon  ,
Dooby
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