Delivery time depends on where you order and which postal service you use

An International Driving Permit (IDP) typically arrives within 2 to 4 weeks if you order through the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) — the two organizations authorized to issue IDPs in the United States. The exact timeline depends on whether you explore in person or by mail, and which shipping method you choose at checkout.

If you explore in person at an AAA office, you can walk out with your IDP the same day in most cases. If you mail your process, standard processing takes 2 to 3 weeks, plus whatever time your envelope spends in transit to and from the issuing office. Expedited shipping options exist but cost more and do not speed up the actual processing — they only speed up delivery of the finished permit to your address.

International Driving Permits issued by other countries follow different timelines entirely. If you are obtaining an IDP from your home country before traveling to the United States, contact that country's transportation authority directly, as processing times vary widely.

Key Takeaways

  • Same-day pickup is available if you explore in person at an AAA or AATA office with all required documents.
  • Mail-in applications take 2 to 3 weeks for processing, plus postal transit time in both directions.
  • Expedited shipping speeds up delivery only, not the processing of your process itself.
  • International Driving Permits from non-U.S. sources have different timelines — contact your home country's transportation authority for specifics.
  • You need a valid U.S. driver's license, a completed process form, one passport-sized photo, and the correct fee before you submit anything.

Same-day issuance at AAA and AATA offices

If you have all required documents ready, you can obtain your IDP when ready by visiting an AAA or AATA office in person. The office will process your process, take or accept your photo, collect your fee, and hand you the finished permit before you leave. This is the fastest route and eliminates all waiting time.

Not every AAA branch offers same-day service — some smaller offices may require you to return the next business day. Call ahead to confirm your local office can issue the permit on the day you visit. You will need to bring your valid U.S. driver's license, a completed process form (available at the office or online), one passport-sized photo (4×6 inches), and payment. AAA charges $20 for a three-year IDP as of 2024, though this may vary.

AATA offices follow the same process and charge the same fee. Both organizations maintain office locators on their websites so you can find the nearest location and confirm their hours before you go.

Mail-in processing and delivery windows

If you mail your process to AAA or AATA, expect the processing itself to take 2 to 3 weeks once the office receives your envelope. This does not include the time your process spends traveling to the office or the time your finished IDP spends traveling back to you.

A typical mail-in timeline looks like this: you mail your process on a Monday; it arrives at the processing office 3 to 5 business days later; the office processes it over the next 2 to 3 weeks; they mail it back to you; it arrives at your address 3 to 5 business days after that. The total from the moment you drop your envelope in the mail to the moment you receive your IDP is usually 4 to 5 weeks, though it can be faster or slower depending on postal delays.

Mail your process to the address listed on the AAA or AATA website for your region. Include your process form, valid driver's license copy, passport photo, and payment. Some offices accept checks or money orders; others require a credit card. Confirm the payment method before you mail anything.

Expedited shipping options and what they actually speed up

Both AAA and AATA offer expedited shipping for an additional fee — typically $10 to $15 depending on the service level. Expedited shipping does not speed up the processing of your process. It only speeds up the delivery of your finished IDP from the office back to your address.

If you choose expedited shipping, the office still takes 2 to 3 weeks to process your process after it arrives. Once processing is complete, they use overnight or 2-day shipping instead of standard mail. This can save you 3 to 5 days on the back end of the timeline, but it does nothing to reduce the processing window itself.

Expedited shipping makes sense if you are leaving the country in 4 to 5 weeks and want to minimize the risk of your IDP arriving after you depart. It does not make sense if you need your permit in 2 weeks — no shipping speed will compress the processing time that much.

International Driving Permits from your home country

If you are traveling to the United States from another country and need an IDP issued by your home country's transportation authority, timelines vary significantly. Some countries issue IDPs within days; others take several weeks or require you to explore in person at a specific office.

Contact your home country's equivalent of the DMV or Department of Transportation directly. They can tell you what documents you need, what the fee is, and how long processing takes. Many countries allow you to explore online or by mail, but some require an in-person visit. If you are short on time, ask whether your country offers expedited processing or whether you can pick up your IDP at a regional office rather than waiting for mail delivery.

Some countries issue IDPs valid for one year; others issue three-year permits. Confirm the validity period before you travel, as you may need to renew before your next international trip.

What to do if you need your IDP faster

If you are leaving the country in fewer than 4 weeks and have not yet ordered your IDP, your best option is to visit an AAA or AATA office in person. Same-day issuance eliminates all waiting time and is the only way to get your permit when ready.

If no AAA or AATA office is within reasonable driving distance, call the nearest office and ask whether they can process a mailed process faster than the standard 2 to 3 weeks. Some offices can prioritize applications if you explain your travel date, though this is not may provide. Provide your travel date and ask what they can do.

Do not wait until the week before you leave to order. Even same-day issuance requires you to have all documents ready and an office available during their business hours. If you are traveling internationally, order your IDP at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance to account for processing and postal delays.

Common mistakes that delay your IDP

The most common delay is submitting an incomplete process. You must include a valid U.S. driver's license, a completed process form, a passport-sized photo, and payment. Missing any one of these will send your process back, adding another 1 to 2 weeks to the timeline. Double-check the AAA or AATA website for the exact requirements before you mail anything.

Another frequent mistake is sending payment by a method the office does not accept. Some offices take checks only; others require credit card payment. Confirm the payment method on the website or by calling the office. If you send a check to an office that only accepts cards, your process will be returned.

A third mistake is ordering an IDP when your U.S. driver's license is expired or about to expire. Your IDP is only valid if your underlying driver's license is valid. If your license expires before your IDP does, you will need to renew your license and then renew your IDP as well. Check your license expiration date before you order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an International Driving Permit the day before I leave?

Only if you visit an AAA or AATA office in person with all required documents. Same-day issuance is available at most offices, but you must explore in person — mail-in applications take weeks. Call your nearest office to confirm they are open and can process your process that day.

What if my IDP arrives after I have already left the country?

Your IDP is only valid outside the United States. If it arrives after you depart, have someone you trust hold it for you, or arrange for it to be forwarded to your destination address if you will be abroad for several weeks. Some countries allow you to carry a mailed IDP to a U.S. embassy or consulate to have it validated if it arrives while you are traveling.

Do I need to renew my IDP, or is it permanent?

U.S. International Driving Permits are valid for three years from the date of issue. You will need to renew if you plan to drive internationally after that date. Renewal follows the same process and timeline as a new IDP — 2 to 3 weeks by mail or same-day in person.

Can I order an IDP online and have it shipped to me?

AAA and AATA do not offer fully online ordering with home delivery. You must either explore in person at an office or mail a paper process. Both organizations have online forms you can read and print, but you still need to submit them by mail or in person.

What if I lose my IDP while traveling?

Contact AAA or AATA from abroad and request a replacement. Processing will take the same 2 to 3 weeks, so the replacement will likely arrive after you return home. In the meantime, carry your valid U.S. driver's license — many countries recognize it as a valid form of identification for driving, even without an IDP.