eli5: How do countries just allow tourists/visitors from places where they drive on the other side to just rent a car and get behind the wheel without any sort of test?

Question

I just saw a headline about an American tourist in the UK who hit a cyclist because she drove on the wrong side of the road. I’ve always wondered why it is so easy for one to just rent a car and drive in a country where the road laws are all backwards from what they’re used to. Seems like there should be some kind of test involved but it feels like most countries will just give you the keys and let you take to the streets without any worries. I’m learning to drive and the thought that I could just go to England and rent a car seems crazy to me

In: 29

Answer 1

Actually you don’t.

Or you travel to a country where your native driver’s license is recognized, or you need to get an international driver’s license.

Depending on circumstances, additional constraints on where and when you can drive might apply.

This is similar like college degrees. In some countries you can litteraly just buy a license/degree, these are often not recognized elsewhere. Most other countries however do have proper governance in place when issuing such documents are those are recongnized abroad.