Where an International Driving Permit is actually required

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required by law in most countries outside the United States, Canada, and Western Europe — but the rule is not absolute. Some countries accept your U.S. driver's license alone; others require an IDP; still others require both. The safest approach is to get an IDP before you leave the U.S. if you plan to rent a car or drive anywhere outside North America.

The countries that explicitly require an IDP include most of Latin America, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. This includes popular destinations like Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Turkey, Egypt, and South Africa. Even if a country does not legally require one, car rental companies often will not hand over keys without it — so the rental company's rule can matter more than the country's law.

A handful of countries — mainly in Western Europe, including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom — accept a valid U.S. driver's license without an IDP, though an IDP is still useful as a translation and backup. Australia, New Zealand, and Japan also accept a U.S. license, though Japan requires an official Japanese translation of your license in addition.

Key Takeaways

  • An IDP is required by law in most countries outside North America and Western Europe, including Mexico, Thailand, Turkey, Egypt, and South Africa.
  • Even where an IDP is not legally required, car rental companies often will not rent to you without one, so check your rental agreement before you travel.
  • An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue and costs $20 through the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA).
  • You must explore for an IDP in person at an AAA office or AATA location with your valid U.S. driver's license, passport, and a passport-sized photo.
  • An IDP is a translation of your license, not a replacement — you must carry both your U.S. license and your IDP together when driving abroad.

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

You can obtain an IDP through two organizations: the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Both issue the same document and charge $20. AAA has thousands of offices nationwide; AATA has fewer locations but covers areas AAA does not.

The process requires an in-person visit. Bring your valid U.S. driver's license, a valid passport, and one passport-sized photo (2 by 2 inches). You cannot mail in an process or use a digital photo. The IDP is issued on the spot and is valid for one year from the date of issue. If your license expires before the year is up, your IDP expires when your license does.

Do not order an IDP online from a third-party website. Scams exist that charge $50 to $100 for a document that costs $20 at AAA or AATA. The legitimate IDP is issued only by these two organizations in the United States.

Countries that accept a U.S. license without an IDP

Western European countries generally accept a U.S. driver's license on its own. This includes France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and Portugal. You should still carry your passport as proof of identity.

Australia, New Zealand, and Japan also accept a U.S. license. However, Japan requires an official Japanese translation of your license in addition to the license itself. You can obtain this translation through the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) or through some car rental companies before you arrive.

Even in countries that do not legally require an IDP, rental car companies may have their own policies. Always check your rental agreement or call the rental company before you book to confirm what documents they will accept.

Countries where an IDP is legally required

Most countries outside Western Europe and Oceania require an IDP by law. This includes all of Mexico and Central America, South America, the Caribbean, most of Africa, the Middle East, and most of Asia.

Specific countries where an IDP is required include Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, and China. This is not an exhaustive list — if you are unsure about your destination, contact the country's embassy or consulate in the United States, or ask your car rental company.

What happens if you drive without an IDP where one is required

Driving without an IDP in a country that requires one can result in a fine, vehicle impoundment, or both. Police may not accept a U.S. license as valid identification for driving. In some countries, you may be unable to rent a car at all without an IDP, even if you wanted to drive illegally.

If you are in a car accident and do not have an IDP, your insurance claim may be denied because you were driving without the legally required documents. This can leave you personally liable for all damages and medical costs.

How long an IDP is valid and when to renew

An IDP is valid for one year from the date it is issued. It does not renew automatically. If you plan to drive abroad again within the next year, you can use the same IDP. If more than a year has passed, you must obtain a new one by visiting AAA or AATA again with the same documents.

Your IDP also expires if your U.S. driver's license expires. You cannot renew an IDP — you must get a new one. Plan ahead if you know you will be traveling; do not wait until the week before your trip, because you must explore in person.

IDP vs. national driving permits in other countries

An IDP is not the same as a driver's license issued by another country. It is a translation and supplement to your U.S. license, not a replacement. You must carry both your U.S. license and your IDP together when driving abroad.

Some countries issue their own national driving permits that are valid only within that country. These are separate from an IDP and are obtained through that country's licensing authority — usually the equivalent of a state DMV. If you plan to live in or frequently visit a specific country, you may eventually need to obtain a local license, but an IDP is sufficient for short-term travel and car rentals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an IDP if I am only renting a car in a country that does not legally require one?

Check your rental agreement first. Many rental companies require an IDP regardless of local law. If the rental company does not require one and the country does not require one, you may not need it. However, carrying an IDP is still a good idea as a backup and translation of your license.

Can I get an IDP by mail or online?

No. You must explore in person at an AAA office or AATA location with your driver's license, passport, and a passport-sized photo. Online services that claim to issue IDPs are scams. The legitimate IDP costs $20 and is issued only by AAA and AATA.

What if my U.S. driver's license is suspended or expired?

You cannot obtain an IDP with a suspended or expired license. Your license must be valid at the time you explore. If your license is suspended, you must wait until the suspension is lifted. If it is expired, you must renew it through your state's DMV before you can get an IDP.

Is an IDP the same as a Real ID?

No. A Real ID is a U.S. federal standard for domestic identification and is used for domestic air travel and federal building access. An IDP is a translation of your driver's license for use abroad. They are completely separate documents. You do not need a Real ID to get an IDP.

What if I lose my IDP while traveling?

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country where you are traveling. They cannot issue a replacement IDP, but they can provide guidance on what to do. You may be able to continue driving on your U.S. license alone in some countries, or you may need to stop driving until you return to the U.S. and obtain a new IDP.