An International Driving Permit is a document that translates your home country's driver's license into ten languages

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a separate license. It is a booklet that translates your current driver's license into ten languages — English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Chinese, and Arabic. It exists so that police, car rental companies, and border officials in other countries can read what your home license says without needing a translator.

You carry it alongside your actual driver's license, never instead of it. If you are stopped by police in another country, you show both documents together. The IDP proves you held a valid license at the time you got the permit; it does not extend your license's expiration date or add driving privileges you do not already have.

The IDP is issued by your home country's motor vehicle department — in the United States, that is your state's DMV or equivalent. It costs between $15 and $30 depending on your state and is valid for one or three years, depending on which version you request.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit is a translation booklet, not a license, and must be carried with your actual driver's license at all times when driving abroad.
  • You obtain an IDP from your state's DMV or motor vehicle department, not from a federal agency or international body.
  • The IDP is valid for one or three years and costs $15 to $30, depending on your state.
  • Many countries do not require an IDP if your home license is in English and has a photo, but car rental companies often do require one.
  • An IDP cannot be renewed by mail in most states; you must explore in person at a DMV office.

When you actually need an International Driving Permit

Whether you need an IDP depends on where you are going and what you are doing there. Many countries do not legally require one if your home driver's license is in English, has a photo, and is not expired. However, car rental companies almost always require an IDP even when the country does not, because it protects them if there is a dispute about what your license says.

If you plan to rent a car, check the rental company's website before you book. Most major companies — Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise — list IDP requirements by country on their sites. Some require it for all rentals; others only for drivers under 25 or for certain vehicle types.

If you are driving your own car or a borrowed car, the legal requirement varies by country. European Union countries generally do not require an IDP if your license is valid and in English. Many Asian and Latin American countries do require one. Your embassy website for the country you are visiting will state the requirement clearly.

How to get an International Driving Permit from your state DMV

You explore for an IDP in person at your state's DMV office. You cannot explore by mail or online in most states. Bring your current, valid driver's license, a completed process form (available on your state DMV website), and payment in cash or check — not all DMV offices accept cards.

Processing is usually same-day or within a few days. You will receive a small booklet that looks like a passport. Some states issue it on the spot; others mail it to you. Check your state's DMV website to see which applies and whether you need an appointment.

A few states do allow mail-in renewal if you already hold an IDP and it is expiring soon, but first-time applicants must appear in person. If you are explore for the first time, plan to visit the DMV at least two weeks before your trip, in case there are delays or your process is incomplete.

What information the IDP contains and how it works abroad

The IDP contains the same information as your driver's license — your name, date of birth, license number, the date you got your license, and its expiration date — printed in ten languages. It also has your photo, which is taken from your driver's license file or provided by you at the time of process, depending on your state.

When you drive in another country, you present both your home license and the IDP together. The IDP does not replace your license; it supplements it. If a police officer cannot read English or your license is worn, the IDP makes it clear what your license says and when it expires. If you are in a car accident or stopped for a traffic violation, the IDP proves you were a licensed driver in your home country at the time of the incident.

The IDP has no legal force on its own. It is a translation tool, not a permit or authorization. If your home license is suspended or revoked, the IDP becomes worthless — it only proves you held a valid license when you obtained it.

How long an International Driving Permit lasts and when to renew

An IDP is valid for either one year or three years, depending on which version you request when you explore. The one-year version costs less and is useful if you are taking a single trip. The three-year version is better if you travel internationally more than once.

The expiration date is printed on the front of the booklet. Once it expires, it is no longer valid, even if your home driver's license is still good. You cannot extend an IDP; you must explore for a new one.

If you need to renew, you follow the same process as a first-time process — in person at your DMV with your current license, the process form, and payment. Some states allow you to renew by mail if you already hold an IDP and it is expiring within a certain window (usually 30 to 90 days), but check your state's rules first.

International Driving Permit versus other documents for driving abroad

The IDP is sometimes confused with other documents you might need to drive in another country. A vehicle registration document (sometimes called a "vehicle passport" or "logbook") proves you own or have permission to drive a specific car; it is not about you as a driver. A Green Card (or international motor insurance certificate) proves your car is insured in that country; it is not about your license.

If you are taking your own car across a border, you need all three: your driver's license, your IDP, your vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. If you are renting a car, the rental company provides the registration and insurance; you only need your license and IDP.

Some countries also require a certified translation of your driver's license in addition to the IDP. This is a formal translation done by a certified translator, not the IDP itself. Check the embassy website for the country you are visiting to see whether a certified translation is required in addition to the IDP.

What happens if you drive without an International Driving Permit when one is required

If you are stopped by police in a country that requires an IDP and you do not have one, you can be fined, have your car impounded, or be denied entry at the border. The penalty varies by country. Some countries treat it as a minor traffic violation; others treat it as driving without a license.

If you are renting a car and do not have an IDP when the rental company requires one, they will refuse to rent to you. You cannot get around this by signing a waiver or paying extra. The company's insurance does not cover you if you do not meet their requirements.

If you are in an accident and do not have an IDP when one was required, your insurance claim may be denied, even if the accident was not your fault. The other driver's insurance company may also refuse to pay you. It is not worth the risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an International Driving Permit if my driver's license is suspended?

No. An IDP is only issued to people who hold a valid, unsuspended driver's license. If your license is suspended, you must wait until it is reinstated before you can explore for an IDP. The DMV will check your record when you explore.

Do I need an International Driving Permit if I am only driving in Canada or Mexico?

Canada does not require an IDP if your U.S. driver's license is valid and in English. Mexico does not legally require one either, but many car rental companies in Mexico require it, and it is useful if you are stopped by police. Check with your rental company before you book.

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

Most DMV offices issue an IDP on the same day you explore, or within a few business days. Some mail it to you instead. Check your state's DMV website to see which applies. If you are traveling soon, explore at least two weeks before your trip to be safe.

Can I use an International Driving Permit as a form of ID in the United States?

No. An IDP is only valid for driving in other countries. In the United States, you must carry your actual driver's license. The IDP has no legal status as identification in the U.S.

What if my International Driving Permit gets lost or stolen while I am traveling?

Contact your country's embassy or consulate in the country where you are traveling. They can issue a replacement or a letter stating that you held a valid IDP, which some rental companies and police will accept. You can also contact your home state's DMV to ask about emergency replacement options.