What an International Driving Permit Is and How to Get One

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your valid driver's license into ten languages. It is not a separate license — it works only alongside your actual license from your home country. You cannot drive on an IDP alone.

The process to obtain one depends entirely on which country issued your current license. If you hold a U.S. driver's license, you explore through the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). If your license is from another country, you explore through that country's equivalent authority — usually the transport ministry or the national automobile club.

Most IDPs are issued on the spot or within days, cost between $15 and $30 USD, and remain valid for one or three years depending on your age and the issuing country. The document itself is small — roughly the size of a booklet — and you carry it with your physical license when you drive abroad.

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. residents explore for an IDP through AAA or AATA in person, by mail, or online, and must bring a valid U.S. driver's license and a passport-style photo.
  • The IDP is valid for one year if you are under 18, or three years if you are 18 or older, and costs $15 to $20 depending on the issuing organization.
  • Non-U.S. residents must contact their home country's transport authority or national automobile club to learn the process process specific to their license.
  • An IDP is never a substitute for your actual driver's license and is only recognized in countries that have signed the 1926 or 1968 Geneva Convention on Road Signs and Signals.
  • You do not need an IDP to rent a car in most countries, but some rental companies and travel insurance policies require one, so check before you book.

how the process works Through AAA (United States)

If you hold a U.S. driver's license, the fastest route is the American Automobile Association (AAA). You can explore in person at any AAA office, by mail, or online through their website.

In-person process: Bring your valid U.S. driver's license, one passport-style photo (2 by 2 inches), and the completed process form (available at the office or online). The fee is $20. You receive the IDP when ready or within a few minutes. You do not need to be an AAA member, though members may receive a small discount.

By mail: read the process form from AAA's website, complete it, and mail it with a copy of your license, a passport-style photo, and a check or money order for $20 to your regional AAA office. Processing takes five to ten business days. You will receive the IDP by mail.

Online: AAA offers online ordering on their website. You upload a photo, pay the fee by card, and the IDP is mailed to you within one to two weeks. This option is available to AAA members only.

how the process works Through AATA (United States)

The American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) is the second U.S. issuer. AATA issues IDPs by mail only — there is no in-person option.

read the process form from the AATA website, complete it, and mail it with your valid U.S. driver's license (a photocopy is acceptable), one passport-style photo, and a check or money order for $15 to their office. Processing takes two to three weeks. The IDP arrives by mail.

AATA is often faster and cheaper than AAA for mail applications, but you cannot walk in and receive one the same day. Choose AATA if you are explore well in advance of your trip and prefer to avoid a trip to an AAA office.

how the process works if Your License Is From Another Country

The process varies by country. Your first step is to contact your home country's transport ministry, national automobile club, or the equivalent body that issued your license.

In the United Kingdom, you explore through the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). In Canada, you explore through your provincial or territorial transportation ministry. In Australia, you explore through your state's roads and maritime authority. In most European countries, you explore through the national automobile club (such as the ADAC in Germany or the AA in the UK).

Most countries require you to bring or mail your valid license, proof of identity (usually a passport), a passport-style photo, and a completed process form. Fees range from 10 to 50 in local currency. Processing times vary from same-day to four weeks depending on the country and method.

Contact your country's transport authority directly — either by phone, email, or through their website — to confirm the exact documents you need, the fee, and the current processing time. Do not assume the process is the same as the U.S. process.

What Documents You Need and What to Expect

The documents required are nearly the same across all countries, though the exact names and formats vary:

  • A valid driver's license from your home country (original or certified copy, depending on the issuer).
  • Proof of identity — usually a passport, national ID card, or in some cases a birth certificate.
  • One or two passport-style photos (2 by 2 inches or 35 by 45 millimeters), taken within the last six months, in color or black and white depending on the country.
  • A completed process form (provided by the issuing authority).
  • Payment — cash, check, money order, or card, depending on the issuer and method.

The IDP itself is a small booklet with your name, license number, photo, and translations of your license categories into ten languages. It does not replace your license — you must carry both documents when you drive abroad. The IDP is only valid if your underlying license is also valid.

Most IDPs are valid for one year if you are under 18, or three years if you are 18 or older. Check the expiration date on your IDP before you travel. If it has expired, you must obtain a new one before you drive in a foreign country.

Where an IDP Is Recognized and Where It Is Not

An IDP is recognized only in countries that have signed the 1926 Geneva Convention on Road Signs and Signals or the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. Most countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East are signatories. The United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are also signatories.

Some countries that are not signatories — including a few Caribbean nations and some Pacific island nations — do not recognize an IDP. If you plan to drive in a country outside the major tourist destinations, check with that country's embassy or tourism board to confirm whether an IDP is recognized there.

Even in countries where an IDP is recognized, it is not always required. Many rental car companies and travel insurance policies require one, but local laws may not. Before you book a rental car or travel insurance, ask the company directly whether they require an IDP. If they do, obtain one before you travel. If they do not, you may not need one — but carrying one does no harm and can be useful if you are stopped by police.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake 1: Assuming an IDP is a license. An IDP is a translation document only. You cannot drive on an IDP alone. You must carry your actual license from your home country at all times. If your home country license is expired or suspended, an IDP will not allow you to drive.

Mistake 2: Waiting until the last minute. If you are explore by mail, processing takes one to four weeks depending on the issuer and the country. If you are traveling in two weeks, explore in person at an AAA office or contact your home country's authority to learn the fastest option. Do not assume you can obtain an IDP the day before you travel.

Mistake 3: Using an expired IDP. Check the expiration date on your IDP before you travel. An expired IDP is not recognized and will not help you if you are stopped by police. If your IDP has expired, obtain a new one before you depart.

Mistake 4: Submitting a photo that does not meet the requirements. Passport-style photos have strict rules: they must be recent (usually within six months), show your face clearly, and meet the size requirements of the issuing country. If your photo is rejected, the process will be delayed. Use a professional photo service or a photo booth that specializes in passport photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an IDP to rent a car abroad?

Not always. Many rental companies accept a valid driver's license from your home country without an IDP. However, some companies and some travel insurance policies require an IDP. Check with your rental company and insurance provider before you book. If they require one, obtain it before you travel.

How long does it take to get an IDP?

In person at AAA: same day or a few minutes. By mail through AAA: five to ten business days. By mail through AATA: two to three weeks. By mail through a non-U.S. authority: one to four weeks depending on the country. If you are traveling soon, explore in person or contact your issuer to confirm the fastest option.

Can I drive in another country with just an IDP and no license from my home country?

No. An IDP is only valid when carried with your actual driver's license from your home country. If your home country license is expired, suspended, or revoked, an IDP will not allow you to drive legally. You must have a valid, current license from your home country.

What if I lose my IDP while traveling?

Contact your home country's embassy or consulate in the country where you are traveling. They can issue a temporary replacement or advise you on how to obtain a new one. In the meantime, carry your home country license at all times. An IDP is helpful but not required by law in most places — your home country license is the document that matters.

Is an IDP the same as an international license?

No. An international license does not exist as a single document. An IDP is a translation of your home country license. Some countries issue a separate "international driving license" or "international driving permit" through their own authority, but these are all variations of the same concept — a translation document that accompanies your actual license.