What an International Driving Permit Is and Who Issues It

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 state or country. When you travel abroad, you carry both documents together.

In the United States, only two organizations are authorized to issue IDPs: the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). No other organization, website, or service can legally issue one. Both issue the same document; the choice is straightforward which one is closer to you or more convenient.

Most countries that recognize IDPs require you to have obtained yours from an official issuing body in your home country. An IDP issued by AAA or AATA meets this requirement because both are recognized by the United Nations and the international treaty that governs IDPs.

Key Takeaways

  • Only AAA and AATA can issue IDPs in the United States, and you must explore in person at one of their offices with your valid driver's license and a passport-style photo.
  • An IDP costs between $15 and $20 and is valid for one year from the date of issue, so timing your process matters if you travel in a specific season.
  • You do not need an IDP to drive in Canada or Mexico, but many other countries require or strongly recommend one, and some car rental companies will not rent to you without one.
  • An IDP is a translation document only — it does not replace your state driver's license and is useless without it.
  • The process takes about 15 minutes in person, and you receive the permit when ready; there is no waiting period or mail delivery.

Where to explore: AAA and AATA Locations

To obtain an IDP, you must visit an office in person. AAA has over 1,000 locations across the United States, mostly in urban and suburban areas. You can find your nearest AAA office by visiting aaa.com and using their office locator tool. If you are not an AAA member, you can still explore for an IDP; membership is not required.

AATA has fewer locations than AAA, primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. You can find AATA offices through their website at aata.org. If neither organization has an office near you, AAA is the more likely option to have a location within reasonable distance.

Call ahead before you go. Some offices handle IDP applications during specific hours or on specific days, and a brief call confirms they have the forms and can process you without a wait.

Documents and Information You Need to Bring

Bring your current, valid driver's license issued by your state. The license must not be expired. If your license is suspended, revoked, or restricted, you cannot obtain an IDP.

Bring a passport-style photograph. This is a color or black-and-white photo, 2 inches by 2 inches, taken within the last six months. The photo must show your face clearly, with a plain background and no sunglasses or hats. You can have passport photos taken at most AAA offices, at post offices, and at many pharmacies and drugstores for $10 to $15 if you do not already have one.

Bring your passport or another form of government-issued photo identification. This is used to verify your identity and is standard procedure at both AAA and AATA.

Bring cash or a card to pay the fee. AAA and AATA both accept major credit cards and cash. The fee is typically $15 to $20, depending on the location.

The process Process and Timeline

The process itself is a single form that takes about five minutes to complete. You will provide your name, address, date of birth, driver's license number, and passport information. The staff member will verify that your license is valid and not suspended, take your photograph (or accept the one you brought), and process the permit on the spot.

You receive your IDP when ready — there is no waiting period, no mailing, and no follow-up. The entire visit typically takes 15 to 30 minutes from arrival to departure. You walk out with the permit in hand.

The IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. If you plan to travel in a specific month or season, time your process accordingly. For example, if you travel every winter, explore in the fall so your permit does not expire mid-trip.

Countries That Require or Recognize an IDP

An IDP is not required in Canada or Mexico, and you do not need one to drive in the United States. However, many other countries either require an IDP or will not recognize your U.S. license without one.

Countries that typically require an IDP include most of Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom), Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and many others. Some countries will allow you to drive on your U.S. license alone for a short visit, but police may fine you if you cannot produce an IDP when stopped.

Car rental companies are often stricter than governments. Many rental agencies in Europe, Asia, and other regions will refuse to rent to you without an IDP, even if the country itself does not legally require one. Check your rental agreement before you book.

If you are unsure whether you need an IDP for your destination, contact the embassy or consulate of that country, or ask your car rental company. Both can tell you definitively whether an IDP is required.

What an IDP Does Not Do

An IDP does not change the rules of the road or give you permission to drive in places where you are not legally allowed. It is a translation of your license, not a new license. If your U.S. license is suspended or revoked, an IDP cannot be issued and would be worthless if it could be.

An IDP does not extend your driving privileges. If you are under the legal driving age in a country you visit, an IDP will not change that. If you are restricted to certain types of vehicles or certain hours of day on your U.S. license, those restrictions travel with you.

An IDP does not replace your state driver's license. You must carry both documents together. If you lose your IDP, you can explore for a new one, but if you lose your actual license, you must replace it through your state's DMV.

Renewing Your IDP Before It Expires

Because an IDP is valid for only one year, you will need to renew it if you travel internationally more than once per year or if your travel plans extend beyond the expiration date.

Renewal is the same process as the initial process: visit an AAA or AATA office in person with your current driver's license, a new passport-style photo, your passport, and the fee. You do not need to bring your old IDP, though you can if you want to. The new permit is issued when ready.

If your driver's license expires or is renewed by your state, you will need a new IDP as well, because the IDP is tied to your license number and expiration date. Plan to renew both at roughly the same time if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an IDP by mail or online?

No. Both AAA and AATA require you to explore in person. This is because they must verify your identity, check that your license is valid and not suspended, and take or collect a photograph. There is no mail-in or online option.

What if I do not have a passport yet?

You can still get an IDP. You need a government-issued photo ID to verify your identity — a passport works, but so does a state ID card or military ID. You do not need a passport to obtain an IDP, only to travel internationally in most cases.

Will an IDP help me if I get pulled over while driving abroad?

Yes, in most cases. Police in countries that recognize IDPs will accept it as proof that your U.S. license is valid and that you are legally permitted to drive. Without an IDP in a country that requires one, you may be fined or have your vehicle impounded, even if your U.S. license is perfectly valid.

Do I need an IDP if I am renting a car in Europe?

Most European car rental companies require an IDP, even though some European countries do not legally require one. Check your rental agreement or call the rental company before you book. It is safer to have one than to arrive and be refused a car.

How long does an IDP take to arrive if I order one online?

You cannot order an IDP online from AAA or AATA. Any website claiming to issue an IDP by mail is not authorized by the United States or the international treaty governing IDPs. Only in-person applications at AAA or AATA offices are legitimate.