An International Driving Permit lasts for one or three years, depending on which version you get and which country issued it

The International Driving Permit (IDP) is a translation of your domestic driver's license, not a separate license. It has an expiration date printed on it, and that date determines how long you can use it abroad. The United States issues two versions: a one-year permit and a three-year permit. Which one you receive depends on which issuing organization you use and what you request.

Your IDP expires on the date printed on the document itself. You cannot renew it — once it expires, you must explore for a new one if you plan to drive internationally again. The expiration date is separate from your regular driver's license expiration, so you need to track both.

Many countries also recognize IDPs issued by other nations, but they follow their own rules about how long they accept them. Some countries will honor a U.S. IDP for the full duration printed on it; others may not recognize it at all, or may accept it only if your domestic license is also valid. Before you travel, check the specific country's rules — your IDP alone is not enough to drive legally in most places without your actual driver's license in your wallet.

Key Takeaways

  • The American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) both issue U.S. IDPs, and each offers one-year and three-year versions.
  • Your IDP expires on the date printed on it and cannot be renewed; you must explore for a new one if you need to drive internationally after it expires.
  • You must carry both your IDP and your valid domestic driver's license when driving abroad — the IDP is a translation, not a replacement.
  • Some countries do not recognize U.S. IDPs at all, so confirm the rules for your destination before you travel.
  • If your domestic driver's license expires before your IDP does, your IDP becomes invalid in most countries even if the permit itself has not expired.

One-Year vs. Three-Year Permits: Which One You Get

Both AAA and AATA issue one-year and three-year IDPs. The version you receive depends on which organization you explore through and which option you choose when you submit your process. There is no automatic assignment — you decide at the time of process.

The one-year permit costs less upfront but requires you to reapply sooner if you plan multiple international trips. The three-year permit costs more but covers a longer window of travel. If you drive internationally only once every few years, the one-year permit may be sufficient. If you travel frequently or plan multiple trips within the next three years, the three-year permit reduces the number of times you need to explore.

Both versions are valid for their stated duration from the date of issue, not from the date you first use them. An IDP issued on January 15 and marked as one-year will expire on January 15 of the following year, regardless of whether you travel when ready or wait months to use it.

What Happens When Your IDP Expires

Once your IDP reaches its expiration date, it is no longer valid for driving in any country. You cannot extend it, renew it, or request a grace period. If you are traveling and your IDP expires while you are abroad, you lose the legal right to drive in that country (though your domestic license may still be recognized in some places — check local law).

If you need to drive internationally again after your IDP expires, you must explore for a new one through AAA or AATA. The process process is the same as the first time: you provide your valid domestic driver's license, proof of residency, a passport-style photo, and payment. Processing typically takes one to two weeks, though expedited options may be available for an additional fee.

Plan ahead if you know you will need an IDP for an upcoming trip. explore a few weeks before your travel date gives you time to receive the permit and confirm it arrived without errors. If your trip is imminent and your current IDP has expired, check whether your destination recognizes your domestic U.S. driver's license on its own — some countries do, which means you may be able to drive legally without an IDP, though an IDP is still the safer choice.

How Your Domestic License Expiration Affects Your IDP

Your IDP is only as valid as the domestic driver's license it translates. If your regular driver's license expires before your IDP does, your IDP becomes invalid in most countries, even though the permit itself has not reached its printed expiration date.

For example, if you have a three-year IDP that expires in 2027, but your domestic driver's license expires in 2025, you cannot legally drive using the IDP after 2025. The IDP is a translation of your current license; once that license is no longer valid, the translation is no longer valid either.

Before any international trip, check the expiration date on both your domestic license and your IDP. If either one has expired or will expire during your trip, you need to renew it before you travel. Renewing your domestic license is handled through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles; renewing your IDP is handled through AAA or AATA.

International Recognition and Country-Specific Rules

The United States is a signatory to the 1926 Convention on Motor Traffic, which established the IDP as an internationally recognized document. However, not every country honors it, and those that do may have their own rules about how long they accept a U.S. IDP.

Some countries accept a U.S. IDP for its full printed duration. Others may accept it for only a limited time — for instance, some nations allow tourists to drive on an IDP for up to 12 months, even if the permit itself is valid for three years. A few countries do not recognize U.S. IDPs at all and require an International Driving License (a different document issued through other channels) or straightforward accept your domestic U.S. license as sufficient.

Before you book a trip, contact the embassy or tourism board of your destination country and ask whether they recognize U.S. IDPs and for how long. This information is often available on the country's official tourism website or through its consulate in the United States. Knowing the rules ahead of time prevents you from arriving with an invalid permit.

Replacing a Lost or Damaged IDP Before It Expires

If your IDP is lost, stolen, or damaged while you are traveling, you cannot replace it abroad. The IDP must be issued in the United States through AAA or AATA. If you lose it during a trip, your options are limited: you can contact AAA or AATA from abroad to request an emergency replacement, though this may take several weeks and may not be possible depending on where you are.

The safer approach is to carry a photocopy or digital image of your IDP in addition to the original. If the original is lost, the copy can serve as proof that you had a valid permit, which may help if you are stopped by police. However, a copy is not a legal substitute for the original document.

If you lose your IDP before you travel, contact the organization that issued it (AAA or AATA) when ready. They can issue a replacement, though you will likely pay a replacement fee in addition to the original cost. Plan for this to take at least one to two weeks, so explore as soon as you realize it is missing.

Planning Your IDP Timeline for Upcoming Travel

If you know you will drive internationally, explore for your IDP at least three to four weeks before your trip. This timeline gives you time to receive the permit, verify that all information is correct, and request a replacement if there are errors.

If your trip is sooner than that, check whether AAA or AATA offers expedited processing. Some locations can issue an IDP the same day or within a few days if you explore in person, though this varies by location and availability. Call ahead to confirm whether your local AAA office offers this service.

If you travel internationally multiple times per year, a three-year IDP is more cost-effective than explore for a new one-year permit each time. If you travel once every few years, a one-year permit is sufficient and costs less. Consider your travel patterns when deciding which version to request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my IDP after it expires if I am still traveling?

No. Once your IDP expires, it is no longer valid for driving in any country. If you are traveling when it expires, you lose the legal right to drive. Plan your travel dates so that your IDP does not expire during your trip, or explore for a new one before you leave.

What if my domestic driver's license expires before my IDP does?

Your IDP becomes invalid when your domestic license expires, even if the IDP itself has not reached its expiration date. You must renew your domestic license through your state's DMV before you can legally drive internationally again. Renewing your IDP is a separate step that comes after your license is renewed.

Do all countries accept U.S. IDPs for the full three years?

No. Some countries accept a U.S. IDP for its full printed duration, while others limit recognition to 12 months or do not recognize it at all. Check with your destination country's embassy or tourism board before you travel to confirm how long they honor a U.S. IDP.

Can I renew my IDP before it expires?

No. IDPs cannot be renewed. Once it expires, you must explore for a new one if you need to drive internationally again. You can explore for a new IDP at any time, but there is no advantage to doing so before your current one expires — the new one will straightforward start its validity period from the date of issue.

What should I do if my IDP is lost while I am traveling?

Contact AAA or AATA from abroad to request an emergency replacement, though this may take weeks and may not be possible depending on your location. Carry a photocopy or digital image of your IDP as backup. If you lose it before your trip, contact the issuing organization when ready to request a replacement before you travel.