If you're planning to drive abroad, you've likely come across the term International Driving Permit (IDP)—and if you've searched for how to get one in the United States, AAA probably appeared near the top of your results. That's because AAA (the American Automobile Association) is one of only two organizations authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs to American residents. Understanding what AAA's international driver's license application actually involves—what you're applying for, what it does, and where the process fits within the broader landscape of international driving documentation—is the right starting point before you do anything else.
The phrase "international driver's license" is commonly used, but it's technically a misnomer. What AAA issues is an International Driving Permit—a standardized document, not a separate license. An IDP does not replace your valid U.S. driver's license. It works alongside it.
The IDP is a multilingual translation booklet that presents your driver's license information in the official languages of the 1949 United Nations Convention on Road Traffic—the treaty that established a common framework for recognizing driving credentials across participating countries. When you hand your IDP and your U.S. license to a traffic officer or rental car agent in a foreign country, they can read your licensing information without needing to understand English.
This distinction matters practically: if you leave your U.S. driver's license at home, your IDP is not valid on its own. The two documents work as a pair.
The U.S. Department of State has authorized exactly two organizations to issue IDPs to U.S. residents: AAA and AATA (American Automobile Touring Alliance). No other organization in the United States is legally permitted to issue an IDP on behalf of the U.S. government framework. If you've encountered other websites selling "international driving permits" or "international driver's licenses," those documents are not recognized IDPs under the 1949 UN convention—and in some countries, presenting a fraudulent IDP can create serious legal problems.
AAA has been issuing IDPs for decades and processes applications through its branch network as well as, in some cases, by mail. The application process itself is relatively straightforward, but knowing what to bring and what to expect prevents unnecessary delays.
The core requirements for an AAA IDP application are consistent across AAA locations, though it's always worth confirming with your specific branch since administrative details can vary.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid U.S. driver's license | Must be current—not expired, suspended, or revoked |
| Two passport-style photos | Specific size requirements apply; AAA branches may offer photo services |
| Completed application form | Available at AAA branches or downloadable in advance |
| Application fee | Fees vary; AAA members and non-members may pay different amounts |
| U.S. residency | IDPs issued in the U.S. are for U.S. residents only |
The IDP issued through AAA is valid for one year from the date of issue. It cannot be renewed—you apply for a new one when needed.
Age is also a factor. Most AAA locations require applicants to be at least 18 years old. If you hold a graduated driver's license or a learner's permit, you are generally not eligible, because an IDP reflects your full, unrestricted driving privileges. The class of vehicle you're permitted to drive in a foreign country will also reflect the class of license you hold in the U.S.—if you don't have a commercial license, your IDP won't grant commercial driving privileges abroad.
Your underlying U.S. driver's license defines the scope of what your IDP covers internationally. This is easy to overlook during the application process. If your domestic license carries restrictions—corrective lenses, for example, or a vehicle with automatic transmission only—those restrictions travel with the IDP. The permit reflects your actual licensed status, not an idealized version of it.
Similarly, if you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) and plan to operate commercial vehicles abroad, you'll need to research whether the destination country recognizes CDL-equivalent credentials through the IDP framework. The IDP covers many vehicle categories, but the rules governing commercial operation vary significantly by country, and some jurisdictions have additional requirements entirely outside the IDP system.
One of the most important things to understand before applying is that not every country accepts the IDP, and among those that do, some accept it only under specific conditions. The 1949 UN convention has broad but not universal participation. Some countries operate under a separate 1968 convention, and the documents issued under each are not always interchangeable.
A few countries require an IDP for all foreign drivers. Others make it optional but strongly recommend it for rental car transactions or encounters with local law enforcement. Some countries—particularly those outside the convention framework—may require additional documentation entirely, such as a certified translation of your license or a locally issued temporary permit.
Researching the specific requirements of every country you plan to drive in before submitting your IDP application is essential. The IDP is a useful document in most of Europe, parts of Asia, and many other regions—but it is not a universal key.
Applying for an IDP through AAA is one of the more streamlined processes in the international driving documentation landscape—but "streamlined" doesn't mean automatic. Here's how it generally unfolds:
Locate a participating AAA branch. Not every AAA office processes IDP applications. You'll need to confirm your local branch handles them, or determine whether a mail-in application is available through AAA's national program.
Gather your materials before you go. Walking in without passport photos or your current license will end the visit quickly. If your photos don't meet the size and format requirements, some branches can take them on-site for an additional fee.
Complete the application form. The form itself is short—name, address, license information, destination countries. Accuracy matters because the information will be reproduced in multiple languages inside the permit.
Pay the fee and receive the IDP. In most cases, the IDP can be issued the same day at a branch location. Mail-in processing takes longer, and if your travel dates are approaching, in-person is the safer option.
Keep both documents together when traveling. The IDP and your U.S. license should travel as a pair. Losing one diminishes the usefulness of the other.
There are situations where an IDP doesn't fully solve the international driving puzzle. Some countries have bilateral agreements with the U.S. that make your American license sufficient on its own for a limited period—no IDP required. Others have no meaningful recognition framework for foreign licenses at all, and driving without a locally issued permit could expose you to fines or worse.
Longer-term stays complicate this further. An IDP is designed for temporary visitors. If you're relocating abroad, working internationally, or staying beyond a tourist visa window, most countries will require you to convert your license to a local one—a process that varies enormously by country and may involve written tests, road tests, medical evaluations, or residency documentation requirements that have no U.S. equivalent.
If you're an international visitor to the United States rather than a U.S. resident preparing to drive abroad, the AAA IDP application process doesn't apply to you in the same direction. Foreign visitors driving in the U.S. generally rely on their home country license and their own country's IDP (if one was issued)—and the rules around how long that's valid, and whether a U.S. license conversion is eventually required, depend on your visa status and the state where you're residing or visiting.
Several factors determine how straightforward—or complicated—your IDP process will be:
Your license status at home. A suspended, expired, or restricted U.S. license affects what the IDP can do for you. The IDP reflects your current driving privileges, not your driving history.
Your destination countries. Each country's rules about foreign license recognition are independent of the IDP system itself. Research each destination.
Your timeline. Same-day issuance is possible in person. Mail processing adds time. Planning around an imminent departure creates unnecessary risk.
Your AAA membership status. Members and non-members can both apply, but fee structures may differ between the two groups.
The type of vehicle you intend to drive. Motorcycles, heavy vehicles, and commercial equipment may require specific endorsements or separate documentation depending on the country.
Understanding these variables doesn't require expertise in international law—but it does require looking up the specific rules for where you're going, not just assuming the IDP covers everything automatically. The permit is a valuable document precisely because it's internationally standardized. Its limitations exist for the same reason: the system works within a defined framework, and the world doesn't always fit neatly inside it.