Where to Apply for an International Driver's License (IDP)

If you're planning to drive abroad, you've probably come across the term International Driving Permit — and wondered where you're actually supposed to get one. The answer is more straightforward than most government paperwork, but there are important details that depend on where you live, where you're going, and what kind of license you already hold.

What an International Driving Permit Actually Is

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a standalone license. It's a translation document — a standardized booklet that renders your existing driver's license into multiple languages recognized under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and the 1968 Vienna Convention. Most countries that accept IDPs require you to carry both the permit and your valid domestic driver's license together.

The IDP does not grant new driving privileges. It doesn't override your home country's license class or restrictions. If your license at home limits you to passenger vehicles, that's what the IDP reflects.

Who Issues IDPs in the United States 🌍

In the U.S., the federal government does not issue IDPs directly. That authority falls to two organizations designated by the U.S. Department of State:

• AAA (American Automobile Association)
• AATA (American Automobile Touring Alliance)

These are the only two organizations legally authorized to issue U.S. IDPs. Any other company or website offering to sell you an "international driver's license" is not issuing a legitimate document recognized under international treaty — and in many cases, those documents are outright fraudulent.

Your state DMV does not issue IDPs. Going to your local DMV office to apply for one won't get you there.

Where to Apply: Your Options

In-person applications at an AAA branch office are often the fastest route. Many offices can issue the permit the same day. You don't always need to be an AAA member, though membership requirements can vary by location.

Mail applications are available but add processing and transit time — a relevant factor if your trip is approaching.

What You'll Typically Need to Apply

Requirements are consistent across both issuing organizations, reflecting U.S. Department of State standards:

• A valid U.S. driver's license (not expired, not suspended)
• Two passport-style photos (2x2 inches, taken within the last 6 months)
• A completed application form
• The applicable fee (fees are set by the issuing organization and are generally modest, though subject to change)
• Proof of age in some cases (applicants are typically required to be at least 18)

Your license must be valid at the time of application. If your license is expired, suspended, or revoked, you won't be issued an IDP.

How Long It's Valid and Where It Works

A U.S.-issued IDP is typically valid for one year from the date of issue. It cannot be renewed — you apply for a new one when the current one expires.

Which countries recognize a U.S. IDP depends on the country. Most nations that are signatories to the 1949 Geneva Convention or 1968 Vienna Convention accept them, but not every country does, and some countries have their own requirements for foreign drivers. A handful of countries don't require an IDP at all for U.S. license holders; others require it for any rental vehicle.

Before traveling, checking with the destination country's embassy or a reliable travel resource matters more than assumptions.

What an IDP Does Not Do 🚫

• It does not replace a foreign license if you're living abroad long-term. Most countries limit how long a foreign visitor can drive on an IDP before local licensing requirements kick in.
• It does not apply within the United States. A U.S. IDP is for international use only.
• It does not function as identification for TSA checkpoints, Real ID purposes, or any domestic use.
• It does not make you legal to drive if your U.S. license is not valid.

Variables That Affect Your Situation

Even though the IDP application process is relatively standardized for U.S. residents, several factors shape what applies to you:

• Your license class — A CDL holder's IDP reflects commercial driving privileges, though whether those are recognized abroad depends on the destination country.
• Your license status — Any suspension, revocation, or expiration disqualifies you from obtaining an IDP.
• Your destination — Not all countries recognize IDPs equally, and some have bilateral agreements that make IDPs unnecessary or mandatory depending on the license type.
• Your timeline — Same-day issuance at a branch versus mail processing can be the difference between having a permit and not having one before departure.
• Your state of residence — While the IDP itself is federally standardized, the license it's based on is issued by your state, and any restrictions, endorsements, or conditions on that license carry through.

The permit itself is uniform. The license it translates — and whether that license is valid, current, and in good standing — is where individual circumstances come into play.