International Driving Permit validity depends on your home country and the permit type you hold

An International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by the United States is valid for three years from the date of issue. However, validity can be shorter if your underlying U.S. driver's license expires before the three-year mark — your IDP cannot outlast your home license. If you renew your U.S. license while holding an IDP, that permit becomes invalid when ready, even if the three-year period has not ended.

Other countries issue IDPs with different timelines. Canada issues permits valid for one year. The United Kingdom issues permits valid for three years. Mexico issues permits valid for one year. If you are traveling internationally and hold a license from a country outside the U.S., check with your home country's motor vehicle authority for the specific validity period before you travel.

The IDP itself has no legal standing without your physical home license. You must carry both documents together at all times when driving in a foreign country. A valid IDP with an expired home license is worthless; an expired IDP with a valid home license may still allow you to drive in some countries, though this varies by destination.

Key Takeaways

  • A U.S.-issued International Driving Permit is valid for three years from the date you receive it, or until your home driver's license expires, whichever comes first.
  • Your IDP becomes invalid when ready if you renew your U.S. driver's license, even if the three-year period has not passed.
  • You must carry both your IDP and your valid home driver's license together; neither document works alone.
  • Other countries issue IDPs with different validity periods — Canada and Mexico issue one-year permits, while the UK issues three-year permits.
  • Some countries recognize an expired IDP paired with a valid home license, but this is not may provide and depends on local law.

What happens when your U.S. driver's license renews

When you renew your U.S. driver's license, your existing IDP stops being valid on the same day your new license is issued. The American Automobile Association (AAA) and the State Department, which jointly oversee IDP issuance in the U.S., do not extend or transfer an IDP to a new license. You must obtain a new IDP if you want to continue driving internationally after your home license renewal.

This rule applies even if your IDP has years remaining. If you received an IDP in 2022 and your driver's license renews in 2024, your IDP expires in 2024 — not in 2025 when the original three-year period would end. Plan ahead: if you know your license renewal date is approaching and you will be traveling internationally, obtain a new IDP before your current license expires.

Checking your IDP expiration date

Your IDP expiration date is printed on the front of the permit, usually in the upper right corner or bottom right corner depending on which organization issued it. The format is typically MM/DD/YYYY. Check this date before every international trip, not just before long journeys.

If you cannot locate your IDP or the print is faded, contact the organization that issued it. AAA issues most U.S. permits through local AAA clubs. The American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) also issues IDPs through select locations. Both organizations can confirm your permit's validity status and issue date if you provide your name and driver's license number.

Renewing your IDP before it expires

You can obtain a new IDP before your current one expires. There is no waiting period — you do not have to let your existing permit expire first. If you are planning a trip and your IDP will expire within the next year, you can get a new one when ready.

The process is the same as obtaining your first IDP: visit an AAA office or AATA location in person with your valid U.S. driver's license, a completed process form, and a passport-style photo. Processing typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. Fees vary by organization but usually range from $15 to $25. Some AAA clubs offer rush processing for an additional fee if you need the permit within a few days.

What to do if your IDP expires while traveling

If your IDP expires while you are outside the United States, you cannot renew it abroad. U.S. IDPs can only be issued by AAA or AATA locations within the United States. If your permit expires during your trip, you are no longer legally authorized to drive in most countries, even if your home driver's license remains valid.

The best protection is to check your expiration date before you leave and plan your trip accordingly. If you are traveling for more than a few weeks and your IDP will expire during your absence, obtain a new permit before departure. If your IDP does expire while you are away, stop driving and use other transportation until you return home and can obtain a new permit.

IDP validity in specific countries

Most countries recognize a valid U.S. IDP paired with a valid U.S. driver's license. However, some countries have additional rules. France, Germany, Spain, and Italy accept U.S. IDPs without restriction. Australia, New Zealand, and Japan also recognize U.S. permits for the duration of the IDP's validity.

A few countries have stricter rules. Some require that your IDP be less than one year old, even if the permit itself is still within its three-year validity window. Others require an International Driving Permit issued by your home country rather than accepting U.S. permits. Before traveling, contact the embassy or motor vehicle authority of your destination country to confirm they recognize U.S.-issued IDPs and whether they have age restrictions on the permit itself.

Replacing a lost or damaged IDP

If your IDP is lost, stolen, or damaged while you are traveling, you cannot replace it abroad. You must wait until you return to the United States. Contact AAA or AATA after you return home with your driver's license and a new process form to request a replacement permit. Processing for a replacement usually takes the same time as a new process — 15 to 30 minutes in person.

If your IDP is damaged but still readable, most countries will still accept it as long as your home driver's license is valid. If it is completely illegible or missing, you should not attempt to drive. Carry only your home driver's license until you can obtain a replacement IDP in the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend my IDP if it is about to expire?

No. IDPs cannot be extended. Once the three-year period ends or your home driver's license expires — whichever comes first — your IDP is no longer valid. You must obtain a new IDP through AAA or AATA if you want to continue driving internationally.

Is my IDP still valid if my driver's license is suspended or revoked?

No. Your IDP is only valid when your home driver's license is valid. If your license is suspended, revoked, or expired, your IDP has no legal standing, even if the three-year period has not ended. You cannot drive internationally until your home license is reinstated or renewed.

Do I need a new IDP every time I travel internationally?

No. One IDP is valid for multiple trips over its three-year period. You only need a new IDP when your current one expires, when your home driver's license renews, or if your permit is lost or damaged beyond use.

What if the country I am visiting does not recognize U.S. IDPs?

Some countries do not accept International Driving Permits at all or require a permit issued by your home country. Check with your destination's embassy or motor vehicle authority before you travel. If they do not recognize U.S. IDPs, you may need to obtain an International Driving Permit from your home country instead, or you may not be permitted to drive.

Can I get an IDP if my driver's license is expired?

No. Your driver's license must be valid and not suspended or revoked to obtain an IDP. If your license is expired, renew it first through your state's DMV, then visit AAA or AATA to obtain your International Driving Permit.