Do You Need a Passport to Get an International Driver's License?

If you're preparing to drive abroad, you've likely come across the term International Driving Permit (IDP) — and with it, questions about what documents you actually need to obtain one. A passport is frequently mentioned in this context, but whether it's strictly required depends on where you're applying, what type of documentation you already have, and how the issuing organization handles identity verification.

Here's how the process generally works.

What an International Driving Permit Actually Is

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a standalone license. It's a translation document — a standardized booklet, recognized under the 1949 and 1968 Geneva Conventions on Road Traffic, that translates your existing driver's license information into multiple languages. It allows foreign traffic authorities to read and verify your credentials without needing to understand the language your license is printed in.

To be valid, an IDP must be carried alongside your original domestic driver's license — not in place of it. It does not grant driving privileges on its own.

Where You Apply for an IDP in the U.S.

In the United States, IDPs are issued by two organizations authorized by the U.S. Department of State:

• AAA (American Automobile Association)
• AATA (American Automobile Touring Alliance)

You do not apply for an IDP through the DMV or any government agency. The DMV issues your underlying driver's license — but the IDP itself comes from one of these two organizations.

This distinction matters because document requirements are set by the issuing organization, not a state DMV, and not the federal government.

Where the Passport Question Comes In 🌍

Both AAA and AATA require two passport-style photos as part of the IDP application. This is where many applicants assume a passport itself is required — but the photos and the passport are two different things.

That said, a valid U.S. passport or passport card is commonly listed as an accepted form of identity verification when applying in person. If you're applying in person at a AAA branch, for example, you'll typically need to present:

• Your valid U.S. driver's license
• Two passport-style photos
• A completed application form
• The applicable fee (which varies by issuing organization)

Some applicants use their passport to satisfy the identity verification step. Others use their driver's license alone, since it's already a government-issued photo ID. Whether a passport is required — versus simply one of several accepted documents — depends on how the issuing organization handles in-person verification at a specific location or through a specific application channel.

For mail-in applications, requirements may differ from in-person submissions. Online application processes, where available, may also involve different documentation steps.

Variables That Shape What You'll Need

Several factors affect the specific documents you're expected to bring or submit:

What the Destination Country May Require

Even after you've obtained an IDP, the country where you plan to drive may have its own requirements. Some nations require your passport as part of any traffic stop documentation — not because of the IDP itself, but as standard identification for foreign nationals. Others require both your IDP and your original license to be in your possession while driving.

A handful of countries don't recognize IDPs at all, or only recognize permits issued under a specific Convention (1949 vs. 1968). Whether your IDP is valid in a given country isn't determined by where or how you obtained it in the U.S. — it's determined by that country's own traffic laws and international agreements. ✈️

What Your Domestic Driver's License Has to Do With It

Because an IDP is only valid when paired with your underlying driver's license, the status of your domestic license directly affects your IDP's usefulness. If your license is expired, suspended, or revoked, carrying an IDP doesn't give you valid driving authority.

This also means the class of your domestic license may matter depending on what you plan to drive abroad. An IDP reflects what your existing license permits — it doesn't upgrade or expand those permissions.

The Gap That Determines Your Specific Requirements 📋

The general framework is consistent: you need a valid domestic license, passport-style photos, a completed application, and a fee. Whether your actual passport is required — as opposed to being one acceptable identity document among several — depends on the issuing organization's current procedures, how you're submitting your application, and potentially the specific branch or channel you're using.

Requirements can also change. What AAA or AATA asked for two years ago may not reflect current procedures. Your destination country's requirements are entirely separate from the U.S. application process.

The pieces that determine exactly what you'll need are specific to your situation, your application method, and the country where you plan to drive.