The short answer is: partially. You can complete part of the process online, but a legitimate International Driving Permit (IDP) — the document most commonly called an "international driver's license" — cannot be issued entirely online by any authorized source in the United States. Understanding why requires knowing what an IDP actually is and how it's issued.
The term "international driver's license" is widely used, but the correct name is International Driving Permit. An IDP is not a standalone license. It's a translation document — a standardized booklet that converts the information on your existing domestic driver's license into multiple languages recognized by countries that are party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic or the 1968 Vienna Convention.
When you drive abroad, you typically present your IDP alongside your valid U.S. driver's license. The IDP alone does not give you driving privileges. Without a valid underlying license, an IDP is meaningless.
In the U.S., only two organizations are federally authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs:
No other organization — and no government agency, including any state DMV — issues IDPs in the United States. This distinction matters enormously, because a significant number of websites sell documents they describe as "international driver's licenses." Many of these are fraudulent. 🚨
If you encounter a website promising a fully online, instant international driver's license with no in-person requirement and no need for your existing domestic license, that is a red flag.
Both AAA and AATA allow applicants to begin the process online, and the steps are relatively straightforward:
| Step | Can Be Done Online? |
|---|---|
| Downloading the application form | Yes |
| Paying the fee | Yes (varies by issuer) |
| Submitting passport-style photos | Depends on method |
| Submitting your valid driver's license copy | Sometimes accepted digitally |
| Receiving the completed IDP | No — mail delivery required |
AAA, for example, allows members and non-members to apply by mail or in person at a branch location. Some branches process applications on the spot. The fee structure varies slightly between the two authorized issuers, and both require a copy of your valid driver's license and two passport-style photos.
The IDP itself is a physical document. It cannot be delivered digitally — most countries require you to present the original booklet.
The IDP system relies on physical booklets that meet international standards set under the Geneva and Vienna conventions. These documents include holograms, official seals, and standardized formatting that digital files cannot replicate for legal purposes abroad.
More practically, an IDP is only valid when paired with the original domestic license it translates. Issuing one without verifying that the underlying license is real and valid — something that requires at least a copy — would defeat the purpose of the document entirely.
Even though the IDP process is relatively uniform compared to domestic licensing, a few factors affect how the process works for you:
Your existing license status. You must hold a valid driver's license. If your license is suspended, expired, or revoked, you cannot obtain a valid IDP.
Your age. Most countries that honor IDPs require the holder to be at least 18. Some countries impose additional age minimums for certain vehicle classes regardless of what the IDP says.
The countries you're visiting. Not every country recognizes IDPs, and not every country that does will accept an IDP indefinitely. Some countries allow IDP holders to drive for 30 days; others allow up to a year. Requirements vary by destination.
Your license class. An IDP reflects the class of your domestic license. If your U.S. license doesn't authorize you to drive a particular vehicle type, an IDP won't extend those privileges abroad. Commercial driving abroad involves additional layers of regulation beyond the IDP system.
How quickly you need it. In-person AAA branch processing can produce an IDP the same day. Mail applications take longer, and timelines can vary.
The Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. State Department have both warned consumers about fraudulent "international driver's license" websites. These sites often charge significant fees for documents that look official but carry no legal standing in any country. If stopped by foreign authorities presenting one of these documents, a driver may face fines or other consequences — in addition to having wasted money on a useless document.
The safest way to verify you're dealing with a legitimate source: the two authorized U.S. issuers are AAA and AATA. That list doesn't change, and no one else belongs on it.
Whether an IDP is the right document for your trip, how long it will remain valid in your destination country, whether you also need to meet that country's specific licensing requirements, and what vehicle classes your IDP will cover — all of that depends on where you're going, your existing license type, and the laws of each destination country you plan to drive in. The IDP process in the U.S. is more standardized than most domestic licensing matters, but the rules on the receiving end vary significantly from one country to the next.