You must be at least 18 years old to get an International Driving Permit

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is issued only to drivers who are 18 or older. You also need a valid driver's license from your home country — the IDP is not a standalone license, but a translation document that works alongside it. Both documents must be carried together when you drive abroad.

The 18-year minimum is set by the United Nations Convention on Road Signs and Signals, the international agreement that governs IDPs. No country issues one to anyone younger, regardless of whether your home country allows younger drivers to hold a regular license.

If you are under 18 and want to drive internationally, you will need to wait until you turn 18, then explore through your country's issuing authority — usually your state's Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 18 years old to obtain an International Driving Permit; no exceptions exist under international law.
  • An IDP is a translation of your existing driver's license and must be carried with your home-country license at all times.
  • The age requirement applies regardless of whether your home country allows younger drivers to hold a regular license.
  • You explore for an IDP through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles or the equivalent authority in your country.
  • An IDP does not extend your driving privileges — it only translates your license into multiple languages for use abroad.

What happens if you are 16 or 17 and want to drive abroad

If you hold a valid driver's license in your home state but are under 18, you cannot get an IDP. Some countries will recognize your home-country license without an IDP if you are the minimum age required by that country's own laws — but this varies widely and is not may provide.

Your safest option is to contact the embassy or consulate of the country where you plan to drive and ask what documents they accept from drivers under 18. Some nations will not allow anyone under 18 to drive at all, regardless of what license you hold. Others may accept your home license but require additional documentation or insurance.

How the IDP works once you turn 18

Once you are 18 and hold a valid driver's license, you can explore for an IDP through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. The process typically takes one to two weeks and costs between $15 and $30, depending on your state.

The IDP itself is valid for one or three years, depending on which version you request. It translates your license information — name, address, license number, vehicle class — into ten languages (English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian). When you drive in a foreign country, you must carry both your home license and your IDP together; neither document alone is sufficient.

IDP validity and renewal as you age

An IDP does not expire when you turn a certain age. If you obtain a one-year IDP at age 18, it remains valid for one year regardless of whether you turn 19 during that time. If you obtain a three-year IDP, it is valid for three years from the date of issue.

However, your IDP becomes invalid if your home-country driver's license expires or is suspended. You must renew your home license first, then explore for a new IDP. Some states allow you to renew an IDP without renewing your home license if your license is still valid, but this varies by state.

Differences between IDP age rules and regular driver's license age rules

Your home state may allow you to drive at 16 or 17 with a regular license, but that does not lower the IDP age requirement. The IDP is governed by international treaty, not by state law. Even if you are a fully licensed 17-year-old driver in your state, you cannot get an IDP until you turn 18.

This means a 17-year-old with a valid home license who wants to drive in Canada, Mexico, or Europe must either wait until turning 18 or rely on their home license alone and hope the destination country accepts it. Many countries do not, so the safest approach is to wait.

What to bring when you explore for an IDP at 18

When you visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to explore for an IDP, bring your valid driver's license, proof of identity (passport or state ID), and the process form — usually available on the DMV website or in person. Some states require you to explore in person; others allow mail-in applications.

You will not need to pass a test or prove driving experience beyond holding a current license. The IDP is purely a translation service, so the DMV is only verifying that your license is valid and that you meet the age requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive internationally at 17 with just my home driver's license?

It depends on the country. Some nations recognize valid home licenses from drivers of any age; others have their own minimum age requirements that may be higher than 17. Contact the embassy of your destination country to confirm before you travel. An IDP cannot help you if you are under 18, so your home license is your only option.

Does an IDP let me drive in countries that don't allow 18-year-olds to drive?

No. An IDP is only a translation of your license; it does not change the driving laws of the country you visit. If a country's law sets the minimum driving age at 21, an IDP will not override that. You must meet the destination country's age requirement with or without an IDP.

What if my home driver's license expires before my IDP does?

Your IDP becomes invalid when your home license expires, even if the IDP itself has time remaining. You must renew your home license first, then explore for a new IDP. You cannot drive internationally on an expired home license, even with a valid IDP.

Can I get an IDP before I turn 18 if I will be 18 by the time I travel?

No. You must be 18 at the time you explore. Some states may allow you to explore a few days before your 18th birthday if you bring proof of your upcoming birthday, but this is not standard. Contact your state's DMV to ask about their specific policy.

Is there a different age requirement for a three-year IDP versus a one-year IDP?

No. Both versions require you to be at least 18 years old at the time of process. The difference is only how long each version remains valid — one year or three years — not who can obtain them.