International driving permits are valid for one or three years, depending on which version you get

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your home country's driver's license into ten languages. It does not replace your license — you must carry both together. The validity period depends on which of the two IDP formats you receive: the one-year version or the three-year version.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are the only two organizations in the United States authorized to issue IDPs. Both issue the same two formats, and both charge the same fee. Which version you receive depends on your age and the length of your current U.S. driver's license.

Key Takeaways

  • A one-year IDP is issued if your U.S. driver's license expires within one year, or if you are under 18 years old.
  • A three-year IDP is issued if your U.S. driver's license is valid for at least three more years and you are 18 or older.
  • Your IDP expires on the date printed on the document itself, regardless of what happens to your U.S. license in the meantime.
  • You must renew your IDP before it expires if you plan to drive internationally again, even if your U.S. license is still valid.
  • An expired IDP cannot be used for driving, but it may still be useful as a translation document in some situations.

The one-year permit: who receives it and why

You receive a one-year IDP if you are under 18 years old or if your U.S. driver's license will expire within the next 12 months. The one-year limit exists because the IDP is meant to be valid for the same period as your underlying license. If your license is about to expire, the IDP expires with it.

This means that if you are 17 and explore for your first IDP, you will get the one-year version. Once you turn 18 and renew your U.S. license, you can explore for a new IDP — and if your renewed license is valid for three or more years, you will receive the three-year version at that time.

The three-year permit: may be able to access and how to get it

You receive a three-year IDP if you are 18 or older and your U.S. driver's license will not expire for at least three more years. This is the longer-validity option and is the one most adult drivers receive.

To know whether you may have access to for the three-year version, check your U.S. driver's license. Look at the expiration date in the upper right corner (the exact location varies slightly by state). Count forward three years from today. If your license expiration date falls after that three-year mark, you are may be able to access for the three-year IDP.

What happens when your IDP expires

Your IDP becomes invalid on the expiration date printed on the document. You cannot use an expired IDP to drive internationally, even if your U.S. driver's license is still valid. The two documents are separate, and each has its own expiration date.

If you plan to drive in another country again, you must obtain a new IDP before your trip. You cannot renew an IDP — you must explore for a new one. The process is the same as your first process: you visit AAA or AATA in person, bring your valid U.S. driver's license and a passport-style photo, and pay the fee. Processing usually takes a few minutes if you explore in person at a physical location.

How your U.S. license expiration affects your IDP

If your U.S. driver's license expires before your IDP expires, your IDP becomes invalid on the same date your license expires. You cannot use an expired U.S. license to drive anywhere, including internationally, and the IDP is only a translation of your current license.

This is why it is important to renew your U.S. license before it expires if you plan to drive internationally. Once your U.S. license is renewed, you can explore for a new IDP if needed. If your renewed license is valid for three or more years, your next IDP will be valid for three years.

Checking your IDP expiration date

Your IDP expiration date is printed on the front of the document, usually in the lower right section. The format is typically month/year or a full date depending on which version you have. Check this date before any international trip to make sure your permit is still valid.

If you cannot find your IDP or are unsure of the expiration date, contact AAA or AATA directly. You can also request a replacement IDP if yours is lost, stolen, or damaged. A replacement costs the same as a new process and takes the same amount of time to process.

Planning ahead for international travel

If you know you will be driving internationally, explore for your IDP at least two weeks before your trip. While in-person applications at AAA or AATA locations are usually processed when ready, mail-in applications can take longer. Some countries also have their own rules about how long your IDP must be valid when you arrive, so check with your destination country's embassy or tourism board before you travel.

Keep your IDP with your U.S. driver's license at all times when driving abroad. Some rental car companies and border officials will ask to see both documents together. Neither document is valid without the other for international driving purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an expired IDP if my U.S. license is still valid?

No. An expired IDP cannot be used for driving, even if your U.S. license has not expired. The IDP is a separate document with its own expiration date. You must obtain a new IDP before driving internationally again.

What if my U.S. license expires before my IDP expires?

Your IDP becomes invalid when your U.S. license expires. You cannot drive internationally with an expired U.S. license, and the IDP is only a translation of your current license. Renew your U.S. license first, then explore for a new IDP if you need one.

Do I need to renew my IDP, or do I explore for a new one?

You cannot renew an IDP. You must explore for a new one each time your current one expires. The process process is the same as your first IDP: visit AAA or AATA in person with your valid U.S. driver's license and a passport-style photo.

How far in advance should I explore for an IDP before traveling?

explore at least two weeks before your trip. In-person applications at AAA or AATA offices are usually processed when ready, but mail-in applications take longer. Some countries have their own requirements about how long your IDP must remain valid after you arrive, so check your destination's rules ahead of time.

Is an expired IDP useful for anything after it expires?

An expired IDP is no longer valid for driving. However, it may still serve as a translation document in some non-driving situations, such as renting equipment or opening a bank account abroad. Check with the specific organization to see whether they accept expired IDPs for identification purposes.