How to Get an International Driver's License (IDP): What You Need to Know

If you're planning to drive abroad, you've likely heard the term International Driver's License — though the more accurate name is an International Driving Permit, or IDP. Understanding what it is, who issues it, and how to get one involves fewer steps than most people expect, but there are variables that shape how the process works for each traveler.

What an International Driving Permit Actually Is

An IDP is not a standalone license. It's a supplemental document — a standardized booklet, printed in multiple languages, that translates your existing driver's license information into formats recognized by other countries. When you drive abroad, local authorities and rental car agencies use it alongside your home country's license to verify your driving credentials.

The IDP is issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and the 1968 Vienna Convention, which established international recognition frameworks. Not every country has signed both, which is part of why coverage and acceptance vary depending on where you're going. 🌍

Key point: An IDP has no legal value on its own. You must carry it together with your valid domestic driver's license.

Who Issues IDPs in the United States

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

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

No government agency — including the DMV — issues IDPs to U.S. residents. Any third-party website claiming to issue an "official" International Driver's License is not a legitimate source, and documents obtained through those services are generally not recognized internationally.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To obtain an IDP through either authorized U.S. issuer, applicants generally must meet the following baseline criteria:

Requirements for other countries' residents differ significantly. If you hold a foreign license and are living in the U.S., you would typically need to obtain an IDP from an authorized issuer in your home country, not the United States.

What You'll Typically Need to Apply

The application process is straightforward, though exact documentation can vary slightly between AAA and AATA:

• A completed application form (provided by the issuing organization)
• Two passport-style photos
• A photocopy of both sides of your valid U.S. driver's license
• Payment — fees are generally modest and set by the issuing organization, not by state or federal agencies

Processing is typically fast when done in person at an AAA branch. Mail-in applications take longer, and timing matters if you have an upcoming trip.

How Long an IDP Is Valid

An IDP issued in the United States is generally valid for one year from the date of issue. It cannot be renewed — when it expires, you apply for a new one. There's no renewal process like a standard driver's license; you simply reapply with current documentation.

Where IDPs Are — and Aren't — Recognized

Acceptance depends entirely on the country you're visiting. Some countries require an IDP for any foreign driver. Others accept a valid U.S. license alone for short stays. A few countries have additional requirements — some may require a locally issued license if you're residing there long-term rather than just visiting.

Before traveling, the best source for country-specific requirements is the U.S. Department of State's country information pages or the embassy of the country you're visiting. What's accepted for a two-week vacation may differ from what's required for a longer stay or for someone relocating abroad.

How Your Existing License Type Affects the IDP

Your IDP reflects the class of license you currently hold. If your domestic license is a standard Class C passenger vehicle license, your IDP will reflect that. If you hold a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or have endorsements, those distinctions may or may not translate meaningfully in other countries — international recognition of commercial driving credentials operates under separate frameworks and varies widely by destination.

Restrictions on your U.S. license — such as corrective lens requirements — are also carried into your IDP, since it functions as a translation document, not a separate credential. 🚗

What an IDP Doesn't Do

• It does not replace your domestic driver's license
• It does not grant driving privileges beyond what your current license allows
• It does not resolve issues with a suspended or revoked license — you need a valid license to obtain one
• It is not a Real ID substitute and has no relevance to TSA checkpoints or federal identification requirements

The Variables That Shape Your Situation

Whether an IDP is the right tool for your trip — and whether your existing license will support one — depends on several factors that are specific to you:

• Your current license class and status — a valid, unrestricted license is the foundation
• Your home country — U.S. residents and foreign nationals have different application paths
• Your destination country — acceptance, required documentation, and duration limits vary
• Your purpose for driving abroad — tourist vs. long-term resident requirements often differ
• Your license type — standard, commercial, and specialty licenses carry different implications internationally

The combination of your specific license, destination, and length of stay determines whether an IDP is required, sufficient, or only part of what you'll need.