Do you really need an international driver's permit? Widespread scam exposed

YouTuber Honest Guide uncovered a global trade in fake driving permits, exposing loopholes that leave both travelers and rental firms at risk.

Expats.cz Staff

Written by Expats.cz Staff Published on 14.04.2026 17:00:00 (updated on 16.04.2026) Reading time: 5 minutes

In their latest video exposé, the Honest Guide duo took on a new brand of scammers: those issuing fake international driving permits (IDP) through bogus websites to unaware foreign drivers hoping to rent a car in Prague.

And the weirdest part? Many car rental agencies actually accept them despite knowing they're fake.

Speaking to viewers, Honest Guide's Janek Rubeš called the scam "One of the biggest frauds we've ever uncovered...that will affect travelers around the globe." And yet, the YouTubers discovered that it wasn't exactly a scam perpetuated by rental agencies but a worldwide issue affecting thousands of travelers every day.

Every business has a story. Let's make yours heard. Click here