If you're searching for AAA locations that issue an International Driving Permit (IDP), you're already ahead of most travelers — because the IDP is one of the more misunderstood documents in the driving world. Here's how it works, what AAA's role actually is, and what variables shape whether you need one and how to get it.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a standalone license. It's a multilingual translation document — typically covering 12 languages — that pairs with your valid domestic driver's license. When you drive abroad, foreign authorities use the IDP to read and verify your home country license. Without a valid domestic license alongside it, the IDP means nothing.
The IDP is recognized in countries that are party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic or the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. That covers most of Europe, parts of Asia, Latin America, and Africa — but not every country worldwide. Some destinations require an IDP; others don't. A few have their own separate permit requirements that an IDP doesn't satisfy.
In the United States, only two organizations are federally authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs to American license holders:
No government agency issues IDPs in the U.S. — not the DMV, not the State Department directly. If you see another source offering U.S. IDPs, that's a red flag. 🚩
AAA is the most widely accessible IDP issuer in the country. The process is straightforward, but it does require an in-person visit to a participating AAA branch — you cannot complete the full application entirely online or by mail.
What you generally bring to a AAA office:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid U.S. driver's license | Must be current; expired licenses are not accepted |
| Two passport-style photos | Must meet size and background requirements |
| Completed application form | Available at AAA offices or downloadable in advance |
| Payment | Fee varies; typically in the range of $20, but confirm current pricing with AAA directly |
AAA processes the IDP on-site in most cases, meaning you can walk out with the document the same day. That same-day availability is one reason AAA locations are popular for last-minute travel prep.
Not every AAA branch issues IDPs — membership clubs and branch services vary by region. AAA operates as a federation of regional clubs (such as AAA Northeast, AAA Southern California, AAA Mid-Atlantic, and others), and each club manages its own branch locations and services.
To find a participating office:
AAA membership is not universally required to obtain an IDP, but some regional clubs may have different policies. Worth confirming before making the trip.
This is where individual circumstances matter significantly.
You may need an IDP if you:
You may not need an IDP if:
Foreign nationals driving in the U.S. are a different situation entirely. An IDP issued by your home country — through your own national automobile association — may allow you to drive in the United States under specific conditions. But U.S. states set their own rules on how long a foreign license is valid before you must obtain a state-issued driver's license. Those timeframes vary considerably by state.
Even a process as straightforward as getting an IDP at AAA involves factors that differ by person and location:
An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue in most cases. It cannot be renewed — you apply for a new one each time. It also cannot substitute for a commercial driving credential, and it does not grant any additional driving privileges beyond what your underlying license already permits.
If your domestic license has restrictions — corrective lenses, daylight driving only, automatic transmission — those restrictions carry over. The IDP translates your license; it doesn't upgrade it.
What AAA can do is handle the paperwork and issue the document. Whether that document satisfies the requirements of your specific destination, your rental agency, or the laws of a foreign jurisdiction where you plan to drive for an extended period — that depends on details specific to your trip, your license, and the rules of the places you're going.