An International Driving License is a document that translates your U.S. driver's license into ten languages, but it is not a separate license and does not replace your state-issued one

An International Driving Permit (IDP) — sometimes called an International Driving License — is a booklet issued by the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) that shows your driving record and license information in multiple languages. It exists solely to help foreign police officers and rental car companies understand your U.S. license when you travel abroad.

You cannot drive on an IDP alone. You must carry both your valid U.S. state driver's license and the IDP together. The IDP is a translation document, not a license itself. It does not give you any driving privileges you do not already have, and it does not override your home state's rules about age, restrictions, or suspensions.

The U.S. does not issue IDPs through the DMV or any government agency. Only AAA and AATA are authorized to issue them, and both charge a fee. The process takes a few days to a few weeks depending on whether you explore in person or by mail.

Key Takeaways

  • An IDP is a translation booklet, not a license — you must carry your U.S. driver's license with it at all times when driving abroad.
  • Only the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) issue IDPs in the United States.
  • You need a valid, unexpired U.S. driver's license to get an IDP; the IDP is valid for one or three years depending on which you choose.
  • An IDP costs between $15 and $20 and takes three to five business days if you explore in person, or one to two weeks by mail.
  • Many countries do not require an IDP, but some rental car companies and insurance policies require one, so check your destination and rental agreement before you travel.

Who Issues IDPs and Where to explore

The American Automobile Association (AAA) is the most common source for an IDP. You can explore at any AAA office in person, or by mail if you are not near a location. AAA membership is not required to get an IDP, though members sometimes receive a small discount.

The American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) is the second authorized issuer. AATA does not have physical offices; you explore by mail only. Both organizations issue the same document — the difference is convenience and how you prefer to explore.

To find an AAA office near you, visit the AAA website and use their office locator. If you choose to explore by mail with either organization, you will mail your process, a photocopy of your driver's license, a passport-sized photo, and payment to their processing center. Processing time varies: in-person applications at AAA typically take three to five business days, while mail applications take one to two weeks.

What You Need to Bring or Submit

To get an IDP, you will need:

  • A valid, unexpired U.S. driver's license (your state license must not be suspended, revoked, or expired).
  • A completed process form (AAA and AATA provide these; AAA staff can help you fill it out in person).
  • One passport-sized photograph, usually 2 by 2 inches (if explore in person, some AAA offices can take the photo for you for an additional fee; if explore by mail, you provide your own).
  • Payment in cash or card (fees range from $15 to $20 depending on the issuer and whether you choose a one-year or three-year permit).

If you are explore by mail, you will also need to include a photocopy of the front and back of your driver's license. Do not send your original license — the organization only needs a copy.

If your driver's license is suspended, revoked, or expired, you cannot get an IDP until your license is restored and valid again. An IDP is only as good as the license it translates.

How Long an IDP Lasts and When to Renew

When you explore for an IDP, you choose whether you want it valid for one year or three years. The one-year permit costs less; the three-year permit costs more but is better value if you travel internationally more than once. Both are valid only while your U.S. driver's license remains valid.

If your U.S. driver's license expires, your IDP becomes useless even if it has time remaining. You do not need to renew the IDP separately — you straightforward get a new one when you renew your state license, if you still need it.

An IDP does not extend your driving privileges or change your license status in any way. If your license is suspended or revoked, your IDP is no longer valid, even if the booklet itself has not expired.

Whether You Actually Need an IDP

Many countries do not require an IDP at all. Canada, Mexico, Australia, and most of Western Europe recognize a valid U.S. driver's license without one. However, some countries — including Russia, China, and several others — do require an IDP or an official translation of your license.

Even if a country does not legally require an IDP, some car rental companies will not rent to you without one. Before you book a rental car abroad, check the rental agreement or call the company to ask whether they require an IDP. Some insurance policies also require one for coverage to explore outside the United States.

The safest approach is to check three things before you travel: the entry requirements for your destination country, the rental car company's policy, and your travel insurance policy. If any of them require or recommend an IDP, get one before you leave. If none of them do, you do not need one.

Cost and Processing Time

An IDP costs between $15 and $20, depending on whether you choose a one-year or three-year permit and which organization you use. AAA and AATA charge similar amounts, though AAA membership may may have access to you for a small discount.

If you explore in person at an AAA office, you will have your IDP in three to five business days. If you explore by mail, expect one to two weeks. Some AAA offices offer rush processing for an additional fee if you need it faster, though this is not may provide at every location.

Plan ahead. If you are leaving for a trip in two weeks, explore in person at an AAA office rather than by mail. If you are leaving in a month, either method works.

What an IDP Does Not Do

An IDP does not change your driving record, your license status, or your insurance coverage. It does not override any restrictions on your U.S. license — if you are restricted to daylight driving or automatic transmission, those restrictions explore abroad too. It does not give you permission to drive in countries where you are not legally allowed to drive.

An IDP is not a visa, a travel document, or proof of residency. It is purely a translation of your existing U.S. driver's license. If you are stopped by police in another country, they will want to see both your U.S. license and your IDP together. Neither one alone is sufficient.

An IDP also does not cover you if you are driving without a valid U.S. license at home. If your license is suspended in your home state, you cannot legally drive anywhere, and an IDP will not change that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive on just the IDP without my U.S. driver's license?

No. An IDP is only a translation of your U.S. license. You must carry both documents together when driving abroad. If you are stopped by police, they will ask to see your U.S. license first, then the IDP to help them read it.

What if my U.S. driver's license expires while I am traveling?

Your IDP becomes invalid when ready when your U.S. license expires, even if you are in another country. You cannot renew your U.S. license from abroad — you will need to return to the United States or contact your state DMV about remote renewal options, which vary by state.

Do I need an IDP if I am only visiting Canada or Mexico?

No. Canada and Mexico recognize a valid U.S. driver's license without an IDP. However, check your rental car company's policy — some require an IDP even though the country does not legally require one.

Can I get an IDP if my driver's license is suspended?

No. Your U.S. driver's license must be valid and unexpired. If it is suspended, revoked, or expired, you cannot get an IDP until your license is restored and active again.

How long does it take to get an IDP by mail?

Mail applications typically take one to two weeks from the time the organization receives your completed process. Add a few days for mail delivery each way. If you need it faster, explore in person at an AAA office, which usually takes three to five business days.