Your U.S. driver's license works in most countries, but not everywhere, and you may also need an International Driving Permit
A U.S. driver's license is recognized as valid identification in most countries you might visit — Canada, the UK, Australia, most of Europe, and many others will accept it to rent a car or prove your identity. However, some countries do not recognize it, some require you to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside it, and a few have rules about how old your license must be or what class of vehicle you can drive. Whether you need an IDP depends on where you are going, how long you are staying, and whether you plan to rent a car or drive a vehicle you own.
The safest approach is to get an IDP before you leave the United States, even if you are not certain you will need it. An IDP costs $20, takes about 15 minutes to obtain, and solves the problem for most countries that have strict rules. It is also a backup form of identification if your U.S. license is lost or damaged while you are abroad.
Key Takeaways
- Most countries accept a U.S. driver's license for car rental and identification, but some require an International Driving Permit in addition to it.
- An International Driving Permit costs $20 and is issued by the American Automobile Association (AAA) or American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) — you cannot get one from your state DMV.
- You must explore for an IDP in person with your valid U.S. driver's license, a completed process form, a passport-sized photo, and payment; it is issued on the spot.
- Some countries have age restrictions on who can drive (often 18 or 21 minimum) and may not recognize licenses from drivers under a certain age, regardless of the IDP.
- If your U.S. license is suspended or expired, you cannot legally drive in any country, and an IDP will not override that restriction.
Which countries require or strongly recommend an International Driving Permit
Countries that require an IDP or make it mandatory for visitors include much of South America, parts of Asia, the Middle East, and some European nations. Germany, France, Spain, and Italy technically accept a U.S. license alone, but car rental companies in those countries often require an IDP as a condition of the rental agreement — so even though the government does not mandate it, you may not be able to rent a car without one.
China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and India either require an IDP or will not recognize a U.S. license at all. Mexico accepts a U.S. license for identification but requires an IDP if you plan to drive. If you are renting a car in any country outside Canada, it is worth calling the rental company before you book to ask whether they require an IDP; their rules are often stricter than the country's law.
The safest rule: if you plan to drive anywhere outside the United States and Canada, obtain an IDP before you leave. If you only plan to use your U.S. license for identification (not driving), an IDP is less critical, but still useful as a backup.
How to get an International Driving Permit before you travel
An International Driving Permit is issued only by the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Your state DMV cannot issue one. You must explore in person at an AAA office or AATA office — you cannot explore by mail or online.
To explore, bring the following: a valid, unexpired U.S. driver's license; a completed IDP process form (available at the office or on the AAA or AATA website); one passport-sized photo (2 by 2 inches); and payment of $20 in cash or card. The permit is issued when ready, usually while you wait. An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue, so time your process accordingly if you are traveling near the end of the year.
If you do not have an AAA or AATA office nearby, you can order an process form online and mail it in with your photo and payment, but you will still need to appear in person to verify your identity and sign the form. Check the AAA or AATA website for the nearest office and their hours before you go.
What happens if your U.S. license is suspended or expired
If your driver's license is suspended, expired, or revoked, you cannot legally drive in any country, and an International Driving Permit will not override that restriction. A suspended license means you are not permitted to operate a vehicle in the United States or abroad. An expired license is not valid for driving anywhere, though it may still work as identification in some countries.
If your license is suspended due to unpaid fines, a DUI conviction, or accumulation of points, you must resolve the suspension with your state DMV before you travel. If your license has straightforward expired, you can renew it before you leave, and then explore for an IDP. Many states allow online renewal if the license has been expired for less than a certain period (usually one to five years, depending on the state); check your state DMV website for the rules.
Age restrictions and how they affect your ability to drive abroad
Some countries have minimum age requirements for drivers that are higher than the United States, and they may not recognize a U.S. license issued to someone under that age. Most countries set the minimum at 18, but some require 21 for certain vehicle classes or for visitors renting cars. An International Driving Permit does not change these rules — if you are 19 and a country's law says you must be 21 to rent a car, an IDP will not make you may be able to access.
If you are under 21 and plan to rent a car abroad, research the country's age rules before you book. Many rental companies also charge extra fees or require a credit card with a high limit for drivers under 25, even in countries where 18 is the legal minimum. An IDP will not waive these company policies either.
What to do if you lose your license or IDP while traveling
If your U.S. driver's license is lost or stolen while you are abroad, you cannot legally drive or rent a car in that country. You can use your passport as identification, but it is not a substitute for a driver's license. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to report the loss and ask about your options; they cannot issue a replacement license, but they can advise you on local procedures.
If you lose your International Driving Permit, you have lost the document that many countries require. You cannot get a replacement while you are abroad. If you still have your U.S. license, some countries and rental companies may accept it alone, but you cannot count on this. The best protection is to carry both documents separately (not in the same wallet or bag) and to take a photo of both and store it in your email or cloud storage in case you need to reference them.
Driving in Canada and Mexico with a U.S. license
Canada accepts a valid U.S. driver's license without an International Driving Permit. Your U.S. license is sufficient to rent a car, drive, and use as identification throughout Canada. You do not need an IDP for Canada.
Mexico accepts a U.S. driver's license for identification but requires an International Driving Permit if you plan to drive. If you are renting a car in Mexico, the rental company will almost certainly require an IDP. If you are driving your own vehicle into Mexico, Mexican law requires an IDP. Some sources say a U.S. license alone is accepted in practice, but the legal requirement is an IDP, and if you are stopped by police, you may face a fine or vehicle impound if you cannot produce one.
Insurance and liability when driving abroad
Your U.S. auto insurance policy may not cover you when you drive in another country. Before you travel, contact your insurance company and ask whether your coverage extends to the country you are visiting and whether you need to purchase additional coverage or an international policy rider. Some policies cover Canada and Mexico automatically; others do not cover any driving outside the United States.
If you are renting a car, the rental company will offer collision and liability coverage. Read the terms carefully — your personal auto insurance may already cover rentals, or your credit card may offer coverage if you use it to pay for the rental. Driving without adequate insurance is illegal in most countries and can result in fines, vehicle impound, or legal liability if you cause an accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit if I am only visiting and not driving?
No. An IDP is only necessary if you plan to drive or rent a car. If you are using your U.S. license only as identification, you do not need an IDP in most countries. However, carrying one is still a good idea as a backup form of ID in case your U.S. license is lost or damaged.
Can I get an International Driving Permit from my state DMV?
No. Only the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) issue International Driving Permits in the United States. Your state DMV cannot issue one. You must visit an AAA or AATA office in person.
How long is an International Driving Permit valid?
An International Driving Permit is valid for one year from the date of issue. If you are traveling more than a year from now, you can explore closer to your departure date. If you are traveling soon and your IDP will expire during your trip, you can explore for a new one before you leave.
What if I have a suspended license — can an IDP let me drive anyway?
No. An International Driving Permit is not valid if your U.S. driver's license is suspended, expired, or revoked. You must resolve the suspension with your state DMV before you can legally drive anywhere, including abroad. An IDP cannot override a suspension.
Do I need travel insurance that covers driving, or is my auto insurance enough?
Your auto insurance may or may not cover you abroad — it depends on your policy and the country. Contact your insurance company before you travel to confirm coverage. If you are renting a car, the rental company offers coverage, but read the terms to understand what is included and what your out-of-pocket costs would be if you cause damage.