Where to Get an International Driver's License (IDP): What You Need to Know
If you're planning to drive abroad, you've probably heard that you need an "international driver's license." That term gets used loosely — but what most people are actually looking for is an International Driving Permit (IDP). Understanding what it is, who issues it, and how to get one will save you time and confusion before your trip.
What an International Driving Permit Actually Is
An IDP is not a standalone license. It's a translation document — a standardized booklet that renders your existing domestic driver's license into multiple languages recognized under the 1949 and 1968 United Nations road treaties. Most countries that accept IDPs require you to carry it alongside your valid home-country license, not in place of it.
The IDP contains your name, photo, and license details in several languages, which helps foreign law enforcement, rental car agencies, and border officials verify your credentials without needing to interpret your state-issued license.
🌍 Without a valid domestic license, an IDP has no legal standing. It cannot be used on its own.
Who Is Authorized to Issue IDPs in the United States
This is where many people get tripped up. In the United States, only two organizations are officially authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs:
- AAA (American Automobile Association)
- AATA (American Automobile Touring Alliance)
No government agency — not the DMV, not the State Department directly, not any other private company — issues legitimate U.S. IDPs. If you find a website offering to sell you an "international driver's license" for a high fee, that is not an authorized issuer. Fraudulent IDP operations exist and have been the subject of federal consumer warnings.
Where You Can Apply for an IDP
Both AAA and AATA handle IDP applications. The process is generally straightforward:
AAA issues IDPs at local AAA branch offices. You typically need to appear in person, though some branches may handle applications by mail. You do not need to be a AAA member to apply.
AATA generally processes applications by mail.
| Issuing Organization | Application Method | Membership Required? |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | In person (most locations) | No |
| AATA | By mail | No |
Fees are typically modest and set by the issuing organization — not by the government. Processing times vary, and mail applications take longer than in-person visits, so timing matters if you have a departure date.
What You'll Generally Need to Apply
Regardless of which organization you use, the typical requirements include:
- A valid U.S. driver's license (unexpired)
- Two passport-style photos
- Completed application form
- Payment of the applicable fee
Some organizations may have age minimums — 18 years old is a common threshold, though this can vary. If your license is close to expiring, renew it before applying, since the IDP is tied to the validity of your underlying license.
How Long an IDP Is Valid
IDPs issued in the United States are generally valid for one year from the date of issue. They cannot be renewed — you apply for a new one when it expires.
Which Countries Accept IDPs
Not every country requires or recognizes an IDP. Some countries accept your U.S. license directly. Others require an IDP. A few have specific requirements about which treaty version of the IDP is valid. 🗺️
The country you're visiting — not your U.S. state — determines whether an IDP is required, accepted, or even relevant. Rules also sometimes differ between renting a car and driving your own vehicle, or between tourist driving and longer-term stays. Checking with the destination country's embassy or official tourism resources is the reliable way to confirm what's needed.
What an IDP Doesn't Cover
An IDP does not:
- Replace a commercial driver's license (CDL) for international commercial driving
- Authorize driving in countries that don't recognize the underlying U.S. license
- Substitute for residency-based licensing if you're relocating abroad rather than visiting
- Override local restrictions on foreign drivers
If you're planning to live and drive abroad long-term, most countries require you to obtain a local license after a transition period — the IDP is a temporary travel document, not a permanent solution.
The Variable That Shapes Your Situation
Getting the IDP itself is relatively uniform across the U.S. — AAA or AATA, same basic documents, one-year validity. What varies significantly is everything around it: whether the country you're visiting requires one, whether your license class satisfies their requirements, what car rental agencies in that country demand, and whether your specific travel duration changes what's expected of you.
Your home state's DMV is not involved in issuing IDPs, but the license your state issued is what makes the IDP valid. The condition, class, and expiration of that license — and the rules of wherever you're driving — are the variables that determine whether the IDP actually works for your situation.
