What You Need to Get an International Driving Permit (IDP)
If you're planning to drive abroad — or you're a foreign national driving in the United States — you've likely heard the term International Driving Permit (IDP). What it is, who issues it, and what you need to get one are questions that come up constantly, and the answers are more straightforward than most people expect. The variables, though, matter.
What an International Driving Permit Actually Is
An IDP is not a standalone license. It's a translation document — a standardized booklet, recognized under the 1949 United Nations Convention on Road Traffic, that translates your existing driver's license into multiple languages. When you drive in a foreign country, local authorities may not be able to read your home license. The IDP bridges that gap.
An IDP is always used alongside your valid domestic driver's license, never instead of it. If your home license expires or is suspended, the IDP becomes invalid.
The document itself is typically a small booklet containing your name, photo, and license information in ten or more languages. It's recognized in over 150 countries — though not universally, and not identically. Some countries treat it as required; others treat it as optional or don't recognize it at all.
Who Issues IDPs in the United States 🌍
In the U.S., IDPs are issued by two organizations authorized by the U.S. Department of State:
- AAA (American Automobile Association)
- AATA (American Automobile Touring Alliance)
No government agency issues IDPs in the United States. The DMV does not issue them. If you encounter a website claiming to issue an "official" IDP for a significant fee through a government-looking portal, that is not an authorized source.
What You Typically Need to Apply
The application process is handled directly through one of the two authorized issuers. Requirements are consistent across both organizations, though you should confirm current specifics directly with the issuer:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid U.S. driver's license | Must be current and valid — not expired, suspended, or revoked |
| Two passport-style photos | Standard 2×2 inch format, recent |
| Completed application form | Provided by AAA or AATA |
| Fee payment | Typically modest; confirm current amount with the issuer |
| Minimum age | Generally 18 years old |
Applications can typically be submitted in person at an AAA office or by mail. Processing times vary — in-person visits often produce same-day results.
How Long an IDP Is Valid
An IDP is generally valid for one year from the date of issue. It cannot be renewed — you apply for a new one when the old one expires. The IDP's validity is also tied to your underlying domestic license: if that license expires during the year, the IDP is no longer valid even if the IDP itself hasn't expired.
Driving in the U.S. as a Foreign License Holder
This is a separate but closely related question. If you're a foreign national visiting or temporarily residing in the United States and want to drive, the rules depend heavily on:
- Which country issued your license — licenses from some countries are more readily accepted than others
- Which U.S. state you're driving in — each state sets its own rules about how long a foreign license is valid within its borders and under what conditions
- Your immigration or residency status — tourists, visa holders, and permanent residents are often treated differently
- How long you've been in the state — many states allow foreign license holders to drive for a limited period (commonly 30 to 90 days, though this varies) before requiring them to obtain a state-issued license
Some states accept a foreign license with an IDP as sufficient documentation. Others require you to apply for a state driver's license after a defined period of residency, regardless of what international documents you carry.
When a Foreign Driver Must Get a U.S. State License
If you're moving to the U.S. — not just visiting — most states will eventually require you to exchange your foreign license for a state-issued one. The process varies significantly:
- Some states accept a foreign license in lieu of a driving test — particularly from countries with reciprocal agreements or similar traffic laws
- Others require a full knowledge test, vision test, and road test — regardless of your driving history abroad
- Documentation requirements differ — proof of identity, lawful presence, Social Security number (or ineligibility letter), and state residency are commonly required, but what's accepted varies by state
States with large immigrant populations have developed more detailed procedures for this process. States with fewer applicants may have less standardized handling. Neither approach is universal.
The Pieces That Determine Your Specific Situation
Whether you're a U.S. driver preparing for international travel or a foreign national figuring out your driving rights in the U.S., the path forward depends on factors that can't be resolved with general information alone:
- Which country you're traveling to or from, and whether it recognizes IDPs or requires something additional
- Which U.S. state you live in or are visiting, and that state's specific rules for foreign license holders
- Your immigration or residency status, which affects both eligibility and documentation requirements
- The current validity of your underlying license, since everything else depends on it
- How long you'll be in the country or region, since short visits and long-term residency are typically governed by different rules
The IDP itself is one of the simpler pieces of international driving documentation to obtain. What surrounds it — country-specific driving rules, state-level residency requirements, license exchange procedures — is where individual circumstances shape the outcome.
