When You Need an International Driving Permit

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your U.S. driver's license into ten languages. You need one if you plan to rent a car or drive in most countries outside the United States. Some countries will let you drive on your U.S. license alone for a short visit, but many will not — and even when they technically allow it, rental companies often refuse to rent to you without an IDP.

The IDP is not a license itself. It does not replace your U.S. driver's license, and you cannot drive with only an IDP. You must carry both documents together: your valid U.S. license plus the IDP. Think of it as a translation card that proves to a foreign police officer or rental agent that your U.S. license is real and what it says.

Whether you actually need one depends on where you are going, how long you are staying, and whether you plan to rent a car. Some countries require it by law. Others do not, but rental companies require it anyway. A few places accept only your U.S. license. Before you book a trip, check with your rental company and the country's embassy or tourism board — do not assume based on what worked for someone else.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit is a translation of your U.S. driver's license into ten languages and is required by law in most countries outside the U.S.
  • You must carry your valid U.S. driver's license and your IDP together — the IDP alone is not a license and will not let you drive.
  • Rental car companies often require an IDP even in countries where it is not legally required, so check with your rental company before you travel.
  • You can get an IDP from the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) — both are authorized U.S. issuing agencies.
  • An IDP is valid for one or three years depending on which version you get, and you must renew it if it expires while you are abroad.

Which Countries Require an International Driving Permit

Most countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America require an IDP by law. This includes popular destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, Australia, and Mexico. If you are driving in any country where English is not the primary language, assume you need an IDP unless you have checked otherwise.

A few English-speaking countries — the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and New Zealand — often accept a U.S. driver's license without an IDP, though rental companies may still ask for one. Even if the country does not legally require it, the rental company's contract may. Always call your rental company before you book and ask whether they will rent to you with only a U.S. license, or whether they require an IDP.

Some countries have reciprocal agreements with the U.S. that recognize American licenses for short visits. However, these agreements change, and the rules vary by region within a country. The safest approach is to get an IDP before you leave the U.S. — it costs less than $20 and takes one day, whereas trying to obtain one abroad is expensive and often impossible.

How to Get an International Driving Permit in the U.S.

Only two organizations in the United States are authorized to issue IDPs: the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). You cannot get one from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, and you cannot order one online from a private website — those are scams.

To get an IDP from AAA, visit a local AAA office in person. Bring your valid U.S. driver's license, a passport or passport card, and a completed process form (AAA will provide this). You will also need a passport-style photo — 2 by 2 inches. AAA issues the permit on the spot, and it costs between $15 and $20 depending on whether you want the one-year or three-year version. If you are not an AAA member, you can still get an IDP; membership is not required.

AATA operates through mail order. You fill out an process, mail it with your driver's license, a passport photo, and payment to their address. Processing takes about two weeks. The cost is similar to AAA. AATA is useful if you do not have an AAA office near you or prefer not to visit in person.

Do not wait until the last minute. While AAA can issue an IDP the same day, lines can be long during travel season. If you are using AATA's mail service, allow three weeks to be safe.

How Long an International Driving Permit Lasts

An IDP is valid for either one year or three years from the date of issue, depending on which version you purchase. The one-year permit costs slightly less and is fine if you only take one trip abroad. The three-year permit is better if you travel internationally more than once during that period.

An IDP expires on a specific date printed on the document. If you are abroad when it expires, it is no longer valid, and you cannot drive legally. If your trip is longer than your IDP's validity, you will need to renew it before you leave the U.S., or arrange for someone to mail you a new one while you are away — which is complicated and slow.

Your IDP is tied to your U.S. driver's license. If your license expires or is suspended, your IDP becomes invalid even if the IDP itself has not reached its expiration date. Before you travel, check that both documents will be valid for the entire length of your trip.

What to Bring When You Drive Abroad

Always carry both your U.S. driver's license and your IDP together. Carry them in the same place — your wallet, a travel document holder, or a bag you keep with you at all times. If a police officer stops you, they will ask for both. If you have only one, you may be treated as an unlicensed driver, even though you have a valid license at home.

Keep a photocopy of both documents in a separate location as backup. If your wallet is lost or stolen, you will have proof of what you carried. Some travelers also photograph both documents on their phone.

Rental companies will ask to see both your U.S. license and your IDP before they hand over the keys. They will likely make a copy of both for their records. Have them ready when you arrive at the rental counter.

International Driving Permits and Your U.S. License

Getting an IDP does not change your U.S. driver's license in any way. Your license remains valid in the United States, and you do not need to renew it early or do anything special to your license to get an IDP.

If you lose your U.S. license while abroad, you cannot straightforward use your IDP to drive. You would need to contact your state's DMV to request a replacement, which can take weeks. This is another reason to keep a photocopy of your license and to be careful with both documents while traveling.

If your U.S. license is suspended or revoked, your IDP becomes invalid when ready, even if the IDP has not expired. The IDP is only a translation of your license — it has no independent authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in another country with just my U.S. driver's license and no IDP?

It depends on the country and the rental company. A few English-speaking countries accept a U.S. license alone for short visits, but most countries require an IDP by law. Even if a country does not require one, rental companies often do. Check with your rental company and the country's embassy before you travel — do not assume it is okay.

How long does it take to get an International Driving Permit?

AAA issues permits the same day at their offices, though you must visit in person. AATA processes mail orders in about two weeks. Plan ahead and do not wait until a few days before your trip, especially during busy travel seasons when AAA offices have long lines.

What if my International Driving Permit expires while I am traveling?

Your permit becomes invalid when ready, and you cannot drive legally. If your trip is longer than your IDP's validity, buy the three-year version before you leave, or arrange for someone to mail you a new one — though the second option is slow and unreliable. It is easier to plan ahead.

Do I need an International Driving Permit if I am only visiting for a few days?

Most countries require one regardless of how long you are staying. Some English-speaking countries may accept a U.S. license for a short visit, but rental companies often require an IDP anyway. Check with your rental company — that is the deciding factor for most travelers.

Can I get an International Driving Permit online?

No. Only AAA and AATA are authorized to issue IDPs in the U.S. AAA issues them in person at their offices. AATA issues them by mail. Any website claiming to issue an IDP online is not legitimate. Scam sites will take your money and send you a worthless document.