Where an International Driving Permit Is Required

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required by law in some countries and recommended in others, but the requirement depends entirely on which country you are entering and whether you hold a valid U.S. driver's license. Most European Union countries do not require an IDP if your U.S. license is valid and in English. However, many countries outside the EU — including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and most of Latin America — will not recognize a U.S. license alone and will require an IDP before you can legally rent a vehicle or drive.

The IDP is not a license itself. It is a translation document issued by the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) that translates your existing U.S. driver's license into ten languages. A country that requires an IDP will not let you drive without both your original U.S. license and the IDP together — carrying only the IDP is not sufficient.

Some countries have no formal requirement but strongly recommend carrying an IDP because local police may not accept an English-language U.S. license as proof of driving authority. In practice, this means you could face fines, vehicle impoundment, or difficulty renting a car even if the law does not technically mandate it. The safest approach is to obtain an IDP before traveling outside the United States, regardless of your destination.

Key Takeaways

  • An IDP is legally required in most countries outside the European Union, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, but not in most EU countries.
  • You must carry both your valid U.S. driver's license and your IDP together; the IDP alone is not a driving document.
  • The IDP is a translation of your existing license issued by AAA or AATA and costs between $15 and $20 with a processing time of one to two weeks.
  • Some countries do not legally require an IDP but local enforcement may refuse to recognize a U.S. license, making an IDP a practical necessity.
  • An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue and cannot be renewed; you must obtain a new one for each trip if yours has expired.

Countries That Legally Require an International Driving Permit

The following countries will not permit you to drive a rental vehicle or operate a motor vehicle on public roads without presenting both a valid U.S. driver's license and an IDP: China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, and most Middle Eastern nations including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

In these countries, car rental agencies will refuse to rent to you without an IDP, and driving without one exposes you to police stops, fines, vehicle confiscation, and potential legal consequences. Some countries, such as China and India, have additional restrictions: you may be required to obtain a separate temporary driving permit from the local transportation authority in addition to your IDP, or you may be prohibited from driving altogether and required to hire a licensed local driver.

Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom do not require an IDP for U.S. citizens, though some car rental companies may request one as a secondary form of identification. Your U.S. license is legally sufficient in these countries.

Countries Where an International Driving Permit Is Recommended but Not Required

Most European Union countries — including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, and Poland — do not legally require an IDP if your U.S. driver's license is valid and written in English. However, carrying an IDP is still recommended because local police may be unfamiliar with U.S. licenses and may question whether your document is authentic or current.

In practice, an IDP removes friction during traffic stops and at car rental counters. Some rental companies in EU countries will charge a higher deposit or refuse to rent without an IDP, even though it is not legally mandated. Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland follow the same pattern: no legal requirement, but an IDP is a practical safeguard.

Russia, Ukraine, and several Balkan countries (Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia) do not formally require an IDP but local enforcement is unpredictable. Carrying an IDP in these countries significantly reduces the risk of fines or vehicle impoundment during a police stop.

How to Obtain an International Driving Permit Before You Travel

An IDP can be obtained only from two U.S. organizations: the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). No other organization is authorized to issue an IDP recognized by foreign governments. You cannot obtain an IDP from a state DMV, the federal government, or any online service.

To obtain an IDP from AAA, you must visit an AAA office in person with your valid U.S. driver's license, a completed AAA IDP process form (available at any AAA office or online), a passport-style photograph (2 by 2 inches), and the fee (typically $15 to $20, depending on your state). Processing takes one to two weeks if you request standard service, or same-day service is available at some AAA locations for an additional fee. If you are not an AAA member, you can still obtain an IDP; membership is not required.

AATA also issues IDPs and follows the same requirements: valid U.S. license, completed process, passport photo, and fee. AATA has fewer physical locations than AAA, so AAA is the more accessible option for most travelers. Both organizations issue the same document, and both are recognized internationally.

What Information You Need Before explore for an International Driving Permit

Before visiting AAA or AATA, gather the following: your valid U.S. driver's license (expired licenses cannot be used to obtain an IDP), your passport or other government-issued photo ID, and a passport-style photograph. You will also need to complete an process form, which asks for your name, address, date of birth, driver's license number, and the country or countries you plan to visit.

Some AAA offices allow you to read and pre-fill the process form online before your visit, which speeds up the process. However, you must still appear in person to present your license, sign the form, and provide your photograph. You cannot obtain an IDP by mail or through a third-party service.

If your U.S. driver's license has expired, you must renew it through your state DMV before you can obtain an IDP. An IDP cannot be issued based on an expired license, even if you are still within the grace period for renewal in your state.

Validity Period and Renewal of an International Driving Permit

An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. Unlike a U.S. driver's license, an IDP cannot be renewed. Once it expires, you must obtain a new one if you plan to drive internationally again.

If you are planning multiple international trips over several years, you will need to obtain a new IDP for each trip if your previous one has expired. Some travelers obtain an IDP before each trip rather than carrying an expired one. If your IDP expires while you are traveling abroad, it is no longer valid, and you should not drive. You would need to return to the United States and obtain a new IDP before driving internationally again.

The one-year validity period begins on the date the IDP is issued, not on the date you first use it. If you obtain an IDP in January but do not travel until December, your IDP will expire in January of the following year, regardless of when you actually traveled.

What to Do If You Are Traveling Soon and Cannot Obtain an IDP in Time

If your travel date is within one to two weeks and you cannot visit an AAA or AATA office, some locations offer same-day or expedited service for an additional fee (usually $10 to $15 extra). Call your nearest AAA office directly to ask whether expedited service is available and whether you can walk in without an appointment.

If expedited service is not available and you cannot obtain an IDP before your trip, you have limited options. In countries that legally require an IDP, you will not be able to rent a vehicle or drive legally. In countries that do not require an IDP (most of Europe, Canada, Australia), you can drive with your U.S. license alone, though carrying an IDP is still recommended. If your destination is a country that requires an IDP and you cannot obtain one in time, you should consider hiring a local driver or using ride-sharing services instead of renting a vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in Mexico with just my U.S. driver's license?

Mexico does not legally require an IDP, but car rental companies often request one as a secondary form of identification. Your U.S. license is sufficient for driving, but carrying an IDP reduces friction at rental counters and during police stops. If you plan to rent a car in Mexico, contact the rental company in advance to confirm whether they require an IDP.

Do I need an IDP if I am only visiting Europe for two weeks?

Most EU countries do not require an IDP if your U.S. license is valid and in English. However, carrying an IDP is still recommended because local police may be unfamiliar with U.S. licenses. If you are renting a car, some companies may charge a higher deposit without an IDP, even though it is not legally mandated.

What happens if I drive in a country that requires an IDP without one?

You risk fines, vehicle impoundment, and legal consequences. In some countries, driving without an IDP when one is required can result in fines of $100 to $500 or more, and your rental vehicle may be confiscated. You will also likely be unable to rent a vehicle in the first place, as rental companies check for an IDP before handing over keys.

Can I get an IDP from my state DMV or online?

No. Only the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are authorized to issue IDPs recognized by foreign governments. You must visit an AAA or AATA office in person with your valid driver's license, a passport photo, and the required fee.

Is an IDP the same as an international driver's license?

No. An IDP is a translation document that works alongside your U.S. driver's license. An international driver's license is not a real document recognized by any government. You must carry both your U.S. license and your IDP together when driving internationally in countries that require an IDP.