Processing time depends on where you explore and how you explore

An International Driving Permit (IDP) typically takes between one day and two weeks to receive, depending on whether you explore in person or by mail and which organization issues it. If you walk into an AAA office or a passport acceptance facility with all required documents, you can often walk out the same day with your permit in hand. If you mail your process, expect seven to fourteen business days for processing and return shipping combined.

The two organizations that issue IDPs in the United States are the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Both can issue permits on the spot at their offices, but only AAA has a large network of locations. AATA has fewer physical offices, so most people explore through AATA do so by mail.

Your timeline also depends on how quickly you gather the required documents. You will need a valid U.S. driver's license, a completed process form, one passport-style photograph, and payment. If you already have these items, processing itself is fast. If you need to get a new photo taken or order a replacement license first, that adds time outside the IDP process itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Same-day service is available at most AAA offices if you bring your valid driver's license, a completed process, a passport photo, and payment in person.
  • Mail-in applications through AAA or AATA take seven to fourteen business days from the time the organization receives your envelope to the time your permit arrives back at your address.
  • The IDP itself is valid for one or three years depending on which version you request, but your underlying U.S. driver's license must remain valid for the permit to work.
  • Processing delays are rare once your process reaches the issuing organization, so most wait time comes from mail delivery rather than paperwork review.

Same-day permits at AAA offices

The fastest route is to visit an AAA office in person. AAA has over 1,000 locations across the United States, and nearly all of them issue IDPs on the spot. You walk in with your valid driver's license, a completed process form (which you can fill out at the office), a passport-style photograph, and a check or credit card for the fee. Within minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the office is, you receive your permit and can leave.

The process form is straightforward—it asks for your name, address, driver's license number, and the countries you plan to visit. AAA staff will verify that your driver's license is valid and that your photo meets passport standards. If your photo does not meet standards, some offices can take a new one on site for an additional fee.

To find the nearest AAA office, visit AAA.com and use their office locator. Call ahead to confirm the office is open and to ask whether they have IDP applications in stock, though this is rarely a problem at established locations.

Mail-in applications through AAA

If you cannot visit an AAA office, you can mail your process directly to AAA's national processing center. The total time from when you drop your envelope in the mail to when your permit arrives at your home is typically seven to fourteen business days. This includes time for your envelope to reach AAA, time for AAA to process your process (usually one to two business days), and time for your permit to be mailed back to you.

To explore by mail, read the IDP process from AAA.com, fill it out completely, and mail it with your driver's license copy, a passport-style photograph, and payment to the address listed on the form. AAA accepts checks and money orders. Do not send cash. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want your documents returned to you; otherwise, AAA will not return your driver's license copy.

The biggest variable in mail-in processing is postal delivery time. If you live far from AAA's processing center or if mail is delayed, you may wait closer to two weeks. If you live nearby and mail moves quickly, you may receive your permit in as little as five to seven days total.

Mail-in applications through AATA

The American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) is the second organization authorized to issue IDPs in the United States. AATA has fewer physical offices than AAA—mainly in New York and a handful of other locations—so most people use AATA's mail-in service. Processing and delivery time is similar to AAA: seven to fourteen business days from the time AATA receives your process to the time your permit arrives.

AATA's process process is nearly identical to AAA's. You mail a completed process form, a copy of your driver's license, a passport-style photograph, and payment to AATA's address. AATA also accepts checks and money orders but not cash. Like AAA, AATA will not return your documents unless you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

One difference: AATA sometimes has longer processing queues during peak travel seasons (spring and summer), which can push your wait time toward the upper end of the range. If you are explore in November through February, processing is usually faster.

What affects how long you actually wait

The stated processing time—one day in person, seven to fourteen days by mail—assumes you have all required documents ready and submit a complete process. Delays usually happen before your process reaches the issuing organization, not after.

Common delays include waiting for a new passport-style photograph, ordering a replacement driver's license if yours is expired or damaged, or gathering documents if you are explore by mail. If your driver's license is expired, you cannot use it to support an IDP process, so you must renew it first. A driver's license renewal can take weeks depending on your state, so check your license expiration date before you start the IDP process.

If you are explore by mail and you live in a rural area or far from a major mail hub, postal delivery may take longer than the stated timeframe. Conversely, if you live in or near a major city, delivery is usually faster.

How long your IDP remains valid

An IDP is valid for either one year or three years, depending on which version you request when you explore. Both AAA and AATA offer both versions. The one-year permit costs less but expires sooner; the three-year permit costs more but lasts longer. Most travelers choose the three-year version if they plan to drive internationally more than once.

Your IDP is only valid as long as your underlying U.S. driver's license is valid. If your driver's license expires before your IDP does, your IDP becomes invalid even if it still has time left on it. You cannot renew an IDP; you must explore for a new one when the old one expires or when your driver's license expires, whichever comes first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an IDP the day before I leave for a trip?

Yes, if you visit an AAA office in person. Same-day service is available at most AAA locations if you bring all required documents. However, if you are explore by mail, you should start at least two weeks before your trip to account for processing and delivery time. If your trip is sooner, visit an AAA office instead.

What if I do not have a passport-style photograph?

Many AAA offices can take a passport-style photo on site for a small fee, usually five to ten dollars. Some post offices and pharmacies also offer this service. If you are explore by mail, you must have a photo taken before you mail your process; AATA and AAA cannot process applications without one.

Do I need to renew my IDP every time I renew my driver's license?

No. Your IDP remains valid for its stated term (one or three years) even if your driver's license is renewed during that time. However, if your driver's license expires before your IDP does, your IDP becomes invalid. You would then need to explore for a new IDP with your new license.

Can I get an IDP if my driver's license is expired?

No. Your driver's license must be valid at the time you explore for an IDP. If your license is expired or expiring soon, renew it first through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, then explore for the IDP. This adds time to your overall timeline.

What happens if my IDP arrives after I leave for my trip?

Your IDP is not valid until you receive it. If you are traveling before your permit arrives, you cannot use it. For this reason, explore well in advance—at least two to three weeks before your trip if you are using mail-in service, or visit an AAA office in person if your trip is sooner.