You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) only if you are renting a car or driving in certain countries outside the United States

An IDP is not a license. It is a translation document that sits alongside your valid U.S. driver's license. You cannot drive with an IDP alone — your U.S. license must be in your wallet at the same time. Whether you need one depends on three things: where you are going, what you are doing there, and what the car rental company requires.

Most countries do not legally require an IDP if you hold a valid U.S. license. However, some rental agencies will not hand you keys without one, and a few countries (including Italy, Spain, and France) have rules that technically call for one, even though enforcement is inconsistent. The safest approach is to get one before you leave the United States if you plan to rent a car abroad — the cost is low, the process is fast, and it removes a potential problem at the rental counter.

If you are driving your own vehicle that you brought with you, or if you are not driving at all, you do not need an IDP. If you are staying in one country for an extended period and plan to get a local license, an IDP is temporary and not a substitute for that process.

Key Takeaways

  • An IDP is a translation of your U.S. driver's license and must be carried together with your actual license; it is not a standalone document.
  • You need an IDP only if you are renting a car abroad, because rental companies often require one even when local law does not.
  • An IDP is issued by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) in the United States, and costs between $15 and $20.
  • The IDP is valid for one or three years depending on which version you request, and you can obtain one in person or by mail in about one week.
  • If you are moving abroad permanently or staying longer than a few months, you will need to obtain a local driver's license in that country instead of relying on an IDP.

When rental companies require an IDP

Most major car rental chains — Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and others — list an IDP as a requirement or strongly recommended document in their terms. Some will rent to you with only a U.S. license if you are from the United States, but others will refuse at the counter if you do not have one. The policy varies by location, by company, and sometimes by the specific branch where you pick up the car.

The safest assumption is that you will need one. Arriving at a rental desk in Rome or Paris without an IDP and discovering the branch will not rent to you is a costly mistake — you lose your reservation, your money, and your transportation. Getting an IDP before you leave costs $15 to $20 and takes one week by mail or one hour in person at an AAA office.

Some rental companies are stricter about this than others. Check your specific rental confirmation or call the branch where you will pick up the car and ask directly whether an IDP is required. If they say yes, or if they are uncertain, get one.

Countries that legally require an IDP

Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and Greece are among the countries that have laws on the books stating that an IDP must accompany a foreign license. In practice, enforcement is spotty — many drivers from the U.S. have rented and driven in these countries without one and faced no problems. However, if you are stopped by police and do not have an IDP, you could be fined, and your rental car could be impounded.

Other countries have no legal requirement for an IDP but may require it anyway under local custom or rental company policy. The safest rule is: if you are renting a car in Europe, get an IDP. If you are renting in Canada, Mexico, Australia, or New Zealand, an IDP is rarely required, though some rental companies may still ask for one.

Check the specific country's government website or your rental company's terms before you book. If either one mentions an IDP, obtain one before departure.

How to get an IDP in the United States

An IDP is issued only by two organizations in the United States: the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). You cannot get one from the DMV or any government office.

If you are an AAA member, visit your local AAA office with your valid U.S. driver's license, a passport or passport card, and a passport-sized photo (2 by 2 inches). The office will issue the IDP on the spot, usually within an hour. The cost is $15 for a one-year IDP or $20 for a three-year IDP. If you are not an AAA member, you can still get an IDP at an AAA office, but membership is not required.

If there is no AAA office near you, you can order an IDP by mail through AAA's website. Send a completed process form, a copy of your driver's license, a passport photo, and a check or money order. Processing takes five to seven business days, plus mail time. AATA also issues IDPs by mail and has a similar timeline and cost.

What documents you need to bring

To get an IDP in person at an AAA office, bring:

  • Your valid U.S. driver's license (the original, not a copy).
  • Your passport or passport card (the original).
  • A passport-sized photo, 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months.

If you are explore by mail, you will need to send photocopies of your license and passport, a passport photo, and a completed process form (available on the AAA or AATA website). Do not send original documents by mail.

You do not need to renew your IDP if your U.S. license is still valid. However, if your license expires, your IDP becomes invalid as well, even if the IDP itself has not expired yet. If you renew your U.S. license, you can renew your IDP at the same time or wait until you need it again.

How long an IDP is valid

An IDP is valid for either one year or three years, depending on which version you request when you explore. Both cost roughly the same — $15 for one year, $20 for three years — so most people choose the three-year version for the longer coverage.

Your IDP is valid only as long as your U.S. driver's license is valid. If your license expires in two years, a three-year IDP will stop being valid after two years, even though the IDP itself would not expire until year three. When you renew your U.S. license, you should also renew your IDP if you plan to drive abroad again.

An IDP does not replace your U.S. license and does not extend the validity of your license. It is purely a translation document that rental companies and some police officers can read.

What an IDP does and does not do

An IDP translates the information on your U.S. driver's license into ten languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, and Finnish. It includes your name, license number, date of birth, and the classes of vehicles you are licensed to drive. A rental company or police officer can read this information without needing to understand English.

An IDP does not give you any driving rights you do not already have. If your U.S. license does not permit you to drive a manual transmission or a motorcycle, your IDP does not change that. If you are too young to rent a car under a rental company's age policy, an IDP does not override that rule. An IDP is a translation, not a new license.

An IDP also does not allow you to drive in a country where your U.S. license itself is not valid. If you are a resident of that country, you must obtain a local license. If you are a visitor, your U.S. license is valid for a temporary stay (usually 30 days to one year, depending on the country), and an IDP straightforward makes that license readable to local authorities.

Alternatives if you cannot get an IDP in time

If you are leaving for your trip in a few days and cannot get to an AAA office or wait for mail delivery, you have limited options. Some car rental companies will accept a notarized English translation of your driver's license in place of an IDP, though this is rare and not may provide. Call your rental company directly and ask whether they will accept a translation.

If your rental company will not budge, you may be able to cancel your reservation and rebook with a different company that has a less strict policy. This is not ideal, but it is better than arriving at the rental desk and being turned away.

The best solution is to plan ahead. If you know you will be renting a car abroad, get your IDP at least two weeks before your trip. If you are an AAA member, you can get one the same day. If you are not, order by mail as soon as you book your rental.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in Europe with just my U.S. license and no IDP?

Legally, it depends on the country. Some countries do not require an IDP if you hold a valid U.S. license. However, rental companies often require one regardless of local law. If you are renting a car, assume you need an IDP. If you are driving your own vehicle, check the specific country's rules, but carrying an IDP is still the safest choice.

Is an IDP the same as an international license?

No. An IDP is a translation document that must be carried with your U.S. driver's license. An international license is a separate license issued by a country where you live or work. If you are moving abroad, you will need to obtain a local license, not just an IDP.

What happens if I drive without an IDP in a country that requires one?

You could be fined by police, and your rental car could be impounded. The amount of the fine varies by country. In some places, the fine is small; in others, it can be several hundred dollars. It is not worth the risk — an IDP costs $15 to $20.

Do I need an IDP to drive in Canada or Mexico?

No. Canada and Mexico recognize a valid U.S. driver's license without an IDP. However, some rental companies may still request one as a matter of policy. Check your rental agreement or call the rental branch to confirm.

Can I get an IDP from the DMV?

No. The DMV does not issue IDPs. Only the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) issue them in the United States. You must go to an AAA office or explore by mail through AAA or AATA.