An International Driving Permit is a document that translates your home country's driver's license into multiple languages so you can rent a car or drive legally in other countries

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a license. It is a translation booklet issued by your home country that sits alongside your actual driver's license. When you drive in another country, you carry both documents together — the IDP has no legal weight on its own. The permit translates your license information (name, license number, driving categories, restrictions) into ten languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Greek, and Arabic.

The IDP exists because border agents and police in other countries may not read your home license, and rental car companies want proof in a format they recognize. Without one, a rental company might refuse to let you take a car, or a police officer in another country might not accept your license as valid proof of your right to drive. The permit costs between $15 and $30 depending on your country and takes one to two weeks to arrive by mail.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit is a translation document, not a replacement license, and must be carried with your actual home country driver's license at all times.
  • You obtain an IDP from your home country's licensing authority — in the United States, that is the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA).
  • Most rental car companies outside the United States require an IDP before they will rent to you, even if your home license is valid.
  • An IDP is typically valid for one or three years depending on which version you order, and it cannot be renewed — you must order a new one when it expires.
  • Some countries do not recognize IDPs at all, so you should check the specific country's requirements before you travel.

Who Issues an International Driving Permit and Where to Get One

In the United States, two organizations are authorized to issue IDPs: the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Both issue the same document — the difference is where you explore. AAA has physical offices in most states and can issue a permit the same day if you explore in person with your license and a passport photo. AATA processes applications by mail and takes longer but serves people who do not have AAA membership or a local AAA office nearby.

To obtain an IDP from either organization, you need your valid U.S. driver's license, a passport or passport card, and one passport-sized photo (2 by 2 inches). You must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid license. The cost is $20 for a one-year permit or $30 for a three-year permit through AAA; AATA charges the same. If you explore by mail through AATA, allow two to three weeks for processing and delivery. If you explore in person at an AAA office, you can walk out with the permit the same day in most cases.

Citizens of other countries should contact their home country's equivalent licensing authority. In Canada, that is the provincial motor vehicle branch. In the United Kingdom, it is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). In Australia, it is the state-based transport authority. Each country has its own issuing body, and the process and cost vary.

What Information an IDP Contains and Why It Matters

An International Driving Permit is a small booklet, roughly the size of a passport. The cover page displays your name, date of birth, license number, and the date the permit was issued and expires. Inside are pages in each of the ten languages, each repeating the same core information: your name, address, date of birth, license number, the categories of vehicles you are licensed to drive (such as cars, motorcycles, or trucks), and any restrictions on your license (such as corrective lenses required or automatic transmission only).

The permit does not grant you any driving rights you do not already have. If your home license restricts you to automatic transmission vehicles, the IDP will show that restriction, and you cannot legally drive a manual transmission car in another country even though you are carrying the permit. The IDP is purely a translation tool — it converts the information on your home license into languages that foreign police and rental companies can read.

When You Need an International Driving Permit and When You Do Not

You need an IDP if you plan to rent a car outside the United States. Most rental companies in Europe, Asia, and other regions will not rent to you without one, even if your U.S. license is perfectly valid. Some companies state this explicitly on their websites; others will tell you only when you arrive at the counter. Arriving without an IDP can mean the rental is cancelled and your reservation is forfeited.

You also need an IDP if you plan to drive your own car across an international border — for example, driving from the United States into Canada or Mexico. Border agents may ask to see it, and having one avoids confusion or delay. Some countries require it by law; others do not, but carrying one costs little and solves the problem either way.

You do not need an IDP if you are not driving. If you are traveling as a passenger, using public transportation, or hiring a driver, an IDP is unnecessary. You also do not need one if you are staying in the United States, even if you are traveling to a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands — your regular driver's license is sufficient.

How Long an International Driving Permit Lasts and What Happens When It Expires

An International Driving Permit is valid for either one year or three years, depending on which version you order when you explore. The one-year permit costs $20 and is useful if you are taking a single trip. The three-year permit costs $30 and is better if you travel internationally multiple times over several years. The expiration date is printed on the front cover, and the permit is no longer valid after that date.

An IDP cannot be renewed. When it expires, you must order a new one. If you need a new permit before your trip and your current one has expired, you will need to reapply through AAA, AATA, or your home country's licensing authority. Plan ahead — if you know you will be traveling, order a three-year permit so you do not have to rush to replace it before your next trip.

Countries That Recognize International Driving Permits and Those That Do Not

Most countries that are signatories to the 1926 or 1968 United Nations Convention on Road Signs and Signals recognize International Driving Permits. This includes most of Europe, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many others. However, some countries do not recognize IDPs or have restrictions on their use.

China, for example, does not recognize U.S. International Driving Permits. If you plan to drive in China, you must obtain a Chinese driving permit through a separate process, which typically requires hiring a local driving school or using a service that handles the paperwork. Russia, India, and several Middle Eastern countries have similar restrictions or do not recognize IDPs at all. Before you travel, check the specific country's requirements — your rental car company can tell you what documents they require, and your country's foreign affairs office (the U.S. State Department, for example) publishes country-specific driving information.

International Driving Permit vs. a Foreign Driver's License

An International Driving Permit is different from a foreign driver's license. An IDP is a temporary translation document issued by your home country and valid only while you are traveling. A foreign driver's license is a permanent license issued by another country, which you would obtain if you move there or become a resident.

If you move to another country permanently or become a resident, you will eventually need to obtain that country's driver's license. The process varies by country — some require you to pass a written test and a driving test, while others allow you to exchange your home license for a local one without testing. An IDP cannot be used as a substitute for a local license if you are a resident. It is only for temporary visitors who are driving on their home country's license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive without my home country license if I have an International Driving Permit?

No. An IDP is only valid when carried together with your actual home country driver's license. If you are stopped by police or asked by a rental company, you must present both documents. Carrying only the IDP without your home license is not sufficient and may result in a fine or legal trouble.

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Canada or Mexico?

It is not legally required in Canada or Mexico, but it is strongly recommended. Many rental car companies in both countries request one, and having it avoids confusion at the rental counter or if you are stopped by police. The cost is low, so it is worth obtaining before you travel.

What happens if my International Driving Permit expires while I am traveling?

Your permit is no longer valid once it expires. If you are still traveling, you should not drive. Contact your home country's licensing authority or embassy to see if you can obtain an emergency replacement, though this is difficult and may not be possible depending on where you are.

Can I use an International Driving Permit to drive a rental car in all countries?

Most countries recognize it, but not all. China, Russia, India, and some others do not. Check the specific country's requirements before you book a rental car. Your rental company can tell you what documents they accept in that country.

How long does it take to get an International Driving Permit?

If you explore in person at an AAA office in the United States, you can receive it the same day. If you explore by mail through AATA, allow two to three weeks for processing and delivery. Plan ahead if you have a specific travel date.