An International Driving Permit is a document that translates your home country's driver's license into ten languages, but it is not a license itself and does not replace your original license

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a booklet issued by your home country's automobile association or transport authority. It contains a translation of your license information — your name, license number, address, the vehicle classes you can drive — printed in English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Dutch. It is meant to help police officers and rental car companies in foreign countries understand what your home license says.

The IDP is not a separate license. You cannot drive on an IDP alone. You must carry both your original driver's license and the IDP together; most countries that recognize the IDP require you to show both documents at the same time. The IDP is valid for one or three years depending on which version you obtain, but it expires whether or not your home license expires. If your home license expires while your IDP is still valid, the IDP becomes useless.

The IDP is issued under the 1926 International Convention on Motor Vehicle Traffic and the 1968 Convention on Road Signs and Signals. Not every country recognizes it. Some nations — including Australia, New Zealand, and several others — do not accept IDPs at all and require you to obtain a local license or an official translation of your home license instead. Before you travel, check the specific rules for the country where you plan to drive.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit is a translation booklet, not a license, and must be carried together with your original home country license at all times.
  • The IDP is valid for either one or three years from the date of issue, and it expires on that date regardless of when your home license expires.
  • Not all countries recognize the IDP; some require a certified translation, a local license, or both, so you must verify the rules for your destination before traveling.
  • You obtain an IDP from your home country's automobile association or transport authority, not from the country you plan to visit.
  • An expired IDP cannot be renewed; you must obtain a new one if you need it after expiration.

Who Issues an International Driving Permit and Where to Get One

The IDP is issued by the national automobile association or transport ministry of your home country, not by the country you are traveling to. In the United States, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are the only two organizations authorized by the U.S. State Department to issue IDPs. In Canada, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) issues them. In the United Kingdom, the Automobile Association (AA) and the RAC are the issuing bodies.

You explore in person at a local office of your country's issuing organization. You will need your valid home country driver's license, a passport or national ID, and a passport-sized photograph (usually 2 by 2 inches or 35 by 35 millimeters). Some offices accept applications by mail, but policies vary. The fee is typically between $15 and $30 USD equivalent, depending on the country and whether you choose the one-year or three-year version.

Processing time is usually same-day or within a few days if you explore in person. If you explore by mail, allow two to four weeks. Some organizations offer expedited processing for an additional fee. The IDP is printed on the spot in many cases, so you can walk out with it the same day.

What Information the IDP Contains and How It Is Used

The IDP booklet is small — roughly the size of a passport — and contains your name, date of birth, license number, home address, photograph, and a list of vehicle categories you are authorized to drive. The vehicle categories are translated into the ten languages mentioned above. For example, if your home license permits you to drive cars and motorcycles, the IDP will show that in each language.

The primary use of the IDP is to help a foreign police officer or rental car company understand your license without needing a translator. A rental car agent in France, for instance, can look at the French section of your IDP and when ready see what vehicle types your license covers. A police officer in Spain can verify your driving status without calling your home country's transport authority.

The IDP does not grant you any driving rights you do not already have on your home license. If your home license restricts you to automatic transmission vehicles, the IDP will reflect that restriction. If your home license is suspended or revoked, the IDP is worthless. The IDP is purely informational; it is a tool for communication, not a grant of authority.

Countries That Accept the IDP and Those That Do Not

Most countries in Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa recognize the IDP as a valid supporting document when carried with your home license. This includes France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil, and many others. However, recognition is not universal, and the rules change.

Several countries do not accept the IDP at all. Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa require either a certified English translation of your home license or a local license obtained through their own process. Some countries — including the United Kingdom and Ireland — accept the IDP but also require a certified translation as backup. A few nations accept the IDP for tourism but not for work or residence.

Before you travel, contact the embassy or consulate of your destination country, or check their official transport authority website. The rules for driving as a tourist differ from the rules for driving as a resident or employee. If you plan to stay longer than a few months, you may be required to obtain a local license instead of relying on your home license and IDP.

How Long an IDP Is Valid and What Happens When It Expires

An International Driving Permit is valid for either one year or three years from the date of issue. You choose which version you want when you explore, and the three-year version costs more. The expiration date is printed on the front cover of the booklet.

Once an IDP expires, it cannot be renewed. You must obtain a new one by reapplying through your home country's issuing organization. There is no grace period; an expired IDP has no legal standing, even if your home license is still valid. If you are traveling and your IDP expires while you are abroad, you cannot drive legally in most countries, even if you have your home license with you.

If your home license expires before your IDP expires, the IDP becomes invalid at the same time your home license expires. You cannot use an IDP with an expired home license. When you renew your home license, you will need to obtain a new IDP as well if you plan to drive internationally again.

The Difference Between an IDP and a Certified Translation

A certified translation is a document-by-document translation of your home license, usually prepared by a professional translator or notary public and stamped as official. Some countries require a certified translation instead of or in addition to an IDP. The certified translation is typically longer and more detailed than an IDP and is specific to the country where you are traveling.

The IDP is a standardized, multilingual booklet issued by your home country's automobile association. A certified translation is a custom document prepared by a translator in the country where you are traveling or by an international translation service. The IDP is faster and cheaper to obtain; a certified translation takes longer and costs more but may be required by law in your destination country.

Some countries accept either an IDP or a certified translation. Others require both. A few require only a certified translation and do not recognize the IDP at all. Check your destination's rules before you travel. If you are unsure, obtaining both is the safest approach.

Common Mistakes When Using an International Driving Permit

The most common mistake is carrying only the IDP and leaving your home license at home. This will result in a fine or refusal to rent a vehicle in most countries. The IDP is a supplement to your home license, not a replacement. Both documents must be in your possession and presented together.

Another frequent error is assuming the IDP is valid in every country. It is not. Travelers to Australia, New Zealand, and some other nations discover too late that the IDP is not recognized. Checking the rules for your specific destination before you travel prevents this problem.

A third mistake is not checking the expiration date before traveling. An IDP that expired last month is useless, even if your home license is still valid. Check the expiration date on the front cover before you leave home. If your IDP is about to expire and you plan to travel, obtain a new one before you go.

Finally, some travelers assume that an IDP obtained in one country will work in another. This is true — an IDP issued by the AAA in the United States is recognized in the same countries as an IDP issued by the CAA in Canada — but the rules for which countries recognize the IDP at all do not change based on where you obtained it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in a foreign country with just my home license and no IDP?

In many countries, yes — the IDP is helpful but not always required. However, some countries legally require it, and rental car companies often demand it even when the law does not. Carrying an IDP removes doubt and is inexpensive insurance. Check your destination's rules, but obtaining one is usually the safer choice.

What happens if my IDP expires while I am traveling abroad?

You cannot legally drive in most countries with an expired IDP, even if your home license is still valid. An expired IDP has no standing. If you are traveling for an extended period, obtain a three-year IDP before you leave, or plan to return home before expiration.

Do I need both an IDP and a certified translation?

It depends on your destination. Some countries require only an IDP, some require only a certified translation, and some require both. Check the official rules for the country where you plan to drive. When in doubt, obtaining both is the safest approach and costs less than dealing with a driving violation.

Can I renew my IDP, or do I have to get a new one?

IDPs cannot be renewed. Once yours expires, you must explore for a new one through your home country's issuing organization. There is no extension process. Plan ahead if you travel frequently and choose the three-year version to reduce how often you need to reapply.

Is an IDP issued in one country valid in another?

Yes. An IDP issued by the AAA in the United States is recognized in the same countries as an IDP issued by any other country's automobile association. The IDP is a standardized international document. However, the list of countries that recognize the IDP at all does not change based on where you obtained it.