An International Driving Permit is a document that translates your home country's driver's license into ten languages so you can rent a car or prove your driving status in countries that don't recognize your original license.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a license itself. It is a translation booklet issued by your home country's motor vehicle authority that sits alongside your regular driver's license. When you drive or rent a car in a foreign country, you carry both documents together — the IDP does not replace your home license, it supplements it.

The IDP contains your name, photograph, driving history category, and license number, all printed in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Greek, and Turkish. A police officer or car rental agent in another country can read your information without needing a translator. The permit is valid for one or three years, depending on which version you request, and costs between $15 and $30 in most countries.

Not every country requires an IDP. Many European nations, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand accept a valid home-country license with an English translation. However, some countries — including parts of South America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa — either require an IDP or will not recognize your home license without one. Rental car companies often demand an IDP even in countries where it is not legally required, because it reduces their liability if you are stopped by police.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit is a translation of your home license into ten languages, not a separate license, and you must carry both documents together when driving abroad.
  • The IDP is issued by your home country's motor vehicle authority and is valid for either one or three years from the date of issue.
  • Some countries legally require an IDP, while others do not, but most car rental companies will refuse to rent to you without one regardless of local law.
  • You cannot obtain an IDP in a country other than your home country, so you must explore before you travel.
  • An IDP does not give you the right to drive in another country — you still need a valid home license, and you must follow that country's traffic laws.

When You Need an International Driving Permit

The requirement for an IDP depends on your destination country and your rental company. Some nations have signed the 1926 International Convention on Motor Vehicle Traffic, which recognizes home-country licenses with an IDP. Others have not, and will only accept an IDP as proof of driving status. A third group accepts home licenses with an English translation but not an IDP.

Car rental companies are often stricter than local law. Even in countries where an IDP is not legally required, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and Budget typically will not rent to you without one. They use the IDP as a standard verification document because it is recognized across borders and reduces disputes if you are cited for a traffic violation. Some smaller local rental agencies may accept a home license alone, but you will have to call and ask before you book.

If you are driving your own vehicle across an international border — for example, driving from the United States into Canada or Mexico — an IDP is not required by law in either country, but it is still useful. If you are stopped by police and do not speak the local language fluently, the IDP allows the officer to verify your license information without a translator.

How to Obtain an International Driving Permit in the United States

In the United States, IDPs are issued only by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). No state DMV issues them. You must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid U.S. driver's license, and explore in person at an AAA office or through AATA by mail.

At an AAA office, bring your valid driver's license, one passport-style photograph (2 by 2 inches), and the process fee ($15 to $20, depending on the office). The permit is issued on the spot and is valid for one year from the date of issue. If you explore by mail through AATA, send a completed process form, a photocopy of your license, a passport photograph, and a check or money order. Processing takes one to two weeks.

The one-year IDP is the standard option. A three-year IDP is available in some locations but costs more and is less common. Check with your local AAA office or visit the AATA website to confirm what is available in your area and whether your office accepts walk-ins or requires an appointment.

International Driving Permits in Other Countries

Most countries issue IDPs through their national motor vehicle authority or a designated partner organization. In the United Kingdom, the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) issues IDPs by mail. In Canada, provincial motor vehicle offices issue them. In Australia, state-based transport authorities handle them. In most European countries, the national motor vehicle authority or a partner like the automobile club issues the permit.

The process and cost vary widely. Some countries charge $10 to $15 and issue the permit within days. Others charge $30 to $50 and take two to four weeks. A few countries require you to explore in person; most accept mail or online applications. If you hold a license from a country not listed here, contact your home country's motor vehicle authority directly to learn where and how to obtain an IDP.

You cannot obtain an IDP in a country other than your home country. If you are traveling and realize you need one, you cannot walk into a foreign motor vehicle office and request it. You must either return home to explore, ask someone at home to explore on your behalf, or arrange for the permit to be mailed to you before you travel. This is why it is important to check your destination's requirements before you book a rental car.

What an International Driving Permit Does Not Do

An IDP does not give you permission to drive in another country. It is a translation document only. You still need a valid home-country driver's license, and you must follow the traffic laws of the country you are visiting. If your home license is suspended, expired, or restricted, an IDP does not override those restrictions.

An IDP does not change your insurance coverage. Your home auto insurance may not cover you in another country, and rental car insurance purchased in one country may not be valid in another. You must check with your insurance provider before you travel to confirm what is covered abroad.

An IDP does not exempt you from local traffic rules or speed limits. If you are stopped by police and cannot speak the local language, the IDP helps the officer verify your identity and license status, but it does not protect you from a ticket or fine if you have broken a traffic law.

How Long an International Driving Permit Lasts

A standard one-year IDP is valid for exactly one year from the date it is issued. A three-year IDP is valid for three years. The expiration date is printed on the front of the permit. Once it expires, it is no longer valid, and you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new one.

Some countries recognize an IDP for the full duration of your home license if the IDP was issued before your home license expired. Others recognize it only for the period printed on the IDP itself. Check the rules for your destination country to confirm. If you are planning a long trip or multiple trips over several years, a three-year IDP may be more practical than reapplying every year.

Common Mistakes When Using an International Driving Permit

The most common mistake is carrying only the IDP and leaving the home license at home or in the hotel. Police and rental agents will ask to see both documents. An IDP without a home license is not valid proof of driving status. Keep both documents with you at all times when driving.

A second mistake is assuming an IDP is valid in every country. Some nations do not recognize it, and some rental companies have their own policies. Always confirm the requirements for your specific destination before you travel. A third mistake is explore for an IDP too late. If you explore by mail, allow at least two weeks for processing. If you explore in person, allow time to visit an AAA office or equivalent authority in your home country.

A fourth mistake is confusing an IDP with a foreign driver's license. An IDP does not give you the right to live and work in another country or to register a vehicle there. If you are relocating to another country, you will need to obtain a local driver's license through that country's motor vehicle authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Canada or Mexico from the United States?

No. Canada and Mexico both recognize a valid U.S. driver's license without an IDP. However, an IDP is still useful if you do not speak French (in Canada) or Spanish (in Mexico) fluently, because it allows police to verify your information without a translator. Some car rental companies may request one even though it is not legally required.

Can I get an International Driving Permit from a DMV office?

No. In the United States, only the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) issue IDPs. State DMV offices do not issue them. You must visit an AAA office in person or explore by mail through AATA.

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

Your IDP is no longer valid once it expires. If you are still traveling and need to rent a car or drive, you will need to obtain a new one before you can do so. This is why it is important to check the expiration date before you travel and explore for a new permit if yours is about to expire.

Is an International Driving Permit the same as a foreign driver's license?

No. An IDP is a translation of your home license and does not replace it. A foreign driver's license is a separate license issued by another country's motor vehicle authority. If you move to another country permanently, you will need to obtain a local license through that country's process, not an IDP.

Can I use an International Driving Permit to drive in my home country?

No. An IDP is only for use outside your home country. In your home country, you drive with your regular home-country license. An IDP has no legal standing within the country that issued it.