You cannot get a full international driver's license online, but you can start the process
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a replacement for your regular driver's license — it is a translation document that works alongside it. You cannot obtain one entirely online. However, you can begin the process through certain organizations' websites, complete paperwork at home, and mail everything in. Some providers now offer digital delivery of the final permit, though you still must appear in person or use a notary to verify your identity and signature.
The confusion exists because the process has moved partially online. You can fill out forms on a computer, upload photos, and pay fees through a website. What you cannot do is skip the identity verification step. Every legitimate IDP issuer requires proof that you are who you claim to be and that your signature is genuine.
Key Takeaways
- The American Automobile Association (AAA) and the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) are the two main U.S. organizations that issue International Driving Permits, and both require in-person or notarized verification.
- You must hold a valid U.S. driver's license before you can get an IDP; the permit cannot stand alone.
- The entire process, including mailing, typically takes one to two weeks if you use in-person service at an AAA office or two to four weeks if you mail everything in.
- Fees range from around $15 to $30 depending on the issuer and whether you choose standard or expedited processing.
- Some websites claiming to issue IDPs online are scams; only use AAA, NASS member state offices, or your country's official motor vehicle authority.
What an International Driving Permit actually is and what it is not
An IDP is a booklet that translates your driver's license information into multiple languages. It is recognized in over 150 countries as proof that you hold a valid license in your home country. Rental car companies, police, and border officials in many places will accept it as supporting documentation alongside your actual license.
It is not a separate license. You cannot drive on an IDP alone. You must carry both your regular driver's license and the IDP together. If your U.S. license expires, your IDP becomes invalid even if it still has time remaining. The IDP is valid for one or three years depending on which you purchase, but only while your underlying license is current.
The two main U.S. issuers and how their online processes work
The American Automobile Association (AAA) issues IDPs at its local offices nationwide. You can start on their website by filling out the process form, uploading a passport-style photo, and paying the fee online. Then you print the form and bring it, along with your valid driver's license and passport, to any AAA office in person. An employee verifies your identity and signature, and you receive the permit on the spot or by mail within days. AAA charges around $15 to $20 for a one-year permit.
The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) operates through state motor vehicle departments. Some states allow you to order an IDP online through their website, but verification still happens by mail. You submit your process, a copy of your driver's license, a passport photo, and payment. A state office reviews everything and mails the permit to you. This route typically takes two to four weeks. Fees vary by state but usually fall between $15 and $30.
A third option exists in some states: you can visit your state's motor vehicle office in person, complete the process there, and receive the IDP the same day. This is the fastest method if an office is near you.
Step-by-step process for explore online and by mail
If you choose the mail-in route, the steps are straightforward. First, visit the AAA website or your state motor vehicle department's website and locate the IDP process form. read it or fill it out online if that option is available. You will need your valid U.S. driver's license number, passport number, and current address.
Second, obtain a passport-style photo. This must meet specific requirements: usually a color photo, 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a plain background and your face clearly visible. You can have this taken at any pharmacy, post office, or professional photography studio. Do not use a selfie or a photo from social media.
Third, make a copy of the photo ID page of your passport and a copy of your valid driver's license. Some issuers ask for both; others ask for one. Check the specific requirements on the form.
Fourth, pay the fee. Most online systems accept credit or debit cards. If you are mailing in a paper process, include a check or money order, or pay online before mailing.
Fifth, mail everything to the address listed on the form. Use a tracking method like certified mail or a carrier that provides tracking, so you know when it arrives. Keep copies of everything you send.
Sixth, wait. Processing times range from one week (AAA in-person) to four weeks (mail-in through state offices). Some providers offer expedited processing for an additional fee, usually $5 to $10 more.
Why you cannot complete this entirely online
International Driving Permits are issued under the Geneva Convention on Road Signs and Signals, an international treaty. Signatories agree to recognize IDPs only if they are issued by authorized government bodies or organizations operating under government authority. This means the issuer must verify that you are the person named on the permit and that your signature is genuine.
Online identity verification through video call exists in some industries, but IDP issuers in the U.S. have not adopted it as a standard. The reason is partly legal — the treaty framework was written before digital verification became common — and partly practical. AAA and state motor vehicle offices have existing infrastructure for in-person verification, and changing that system would require coordination across multiple states and international bodies.
Scam websites sometimes claim they can issue an IDP entirely online without verification. These are fraudulent. An IDP issued this way will not be recognized abroad and could result in fines or legal trouble if you try to use it.
Fees, processing times, and expedited options
| Issuer | Standard Fee | Processing Time (Standard) | Expedited Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAA (in-person) | $15–$20 | Same day or 3–5 days by mail | Not typically offered |
| AAA (mail-in) | $15–$20 | 1–2 weeks | Not typically offered |
| State motor vehicle office (online/mail) | $15–$30 | 2–4 weeks | $5–$10 extra, reduces to 1–2 weeks |
| State motor vehicle office (in-person) | $15–$30 | Same day | N/A |
Costs are low because an IDP is a straightforward document. You are paying for the issuer's time to verify your identity and print the booklet, not for a complex service. The one-year permit is cheaper than the three-year version, but if you travel internationally more than once a year, the three-year option usually costs less per trip.
If you need an IDP quickly — for example, you are leaving in a week — your best option is to visit an AAA office or state motor vehicle office in person. Same-day service is available at most locations. If you cannot reach an office before you travel, some countries will accept a printed copy of your process confirmation as temporary proof while the physical permit is in the mail, though this is not may provide and varies by country and border official.
How to avoid scams and verify you are using a legitimate issuer
Legitimate IDPs come only from AAA, state motor vehicle departments, or your country's official motor vehicle authority if you are not a U.S. citizen. If a website promises to issue an IDP without requiring your driver's license number, a photo, or any identity verification, it is a scam. If it guarantees delivery in 24 hours or claims to bypass government requirements, it is a scam.
Before you pay, verify the website's URL. AAA's official site is aaa.com. State motor vehicle offices are found through your state's official government website, usually under a domain ending in .gov. If you are unsure, call your state's motor vehicle department directly and ask for the correct website and mailing address.
Scam sites often use URLs that look similar to legitimate ones — for example, "aaa-idp.com" or "international-driving-permit.net" — but are not official. They take your money and either send you a document that will not be recognized abroad or send nothing at all.
What to do if you are traveling soon and do not have time
If you are leaving in fewer than five days, an in-person visit to an AAA office or state motor vehicle office is your only reliable option. Call ahead to confirm hours and bring all required documents: your driver's license, passport, a passport-style photo, and payment. Most offices can issue an IDP the same day.
If no office is accessible to you before you travel, research the specific country or countries you are visiting. Some nations do not require an IDP if you carry your U.S. driver's license and an International Driving Permit is not legally necessary. Others accept a notarized copy of your driver's license as temporary proof. A few require an IDP but will accept a printed process confirmation with a photo. Contact the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting to ask what documents they accept.
Do not rely on a scam website's promise of fast delivery. The risk of arriving at a border with a fraudulent document is far higher than the inconvenience of renting a car locally or using ride-sharing services instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car abroad?
It depends on the country and the rental company. Many European and Asian countries recommend or require an IDP alongside your U.S. license. Some rental companies will not rent to you without one. Check with your rental company and the country's embassy before you book. Having an IDP eliminates any doubt and is inexpensive insurance.
Can I use a digital copy of my IDP on my phone instead of the physical booklet?
Some countries and police officers will accept a photo of your IDP on your phone, but this is not may provide. The safest approach is to carry the physical booklet. A few issuers now offer digital delivery via email, but you should still print it or keep a high-quality photo on your phone as backup.
What happens if my IDP expires while I am traveling?
An expired IDP is not valid. If your IDP expires during your trip, you have only your U.S. driver's license. Some countries will accept this; others will not. Plan ahead and renew your IDP before it expires if you travel frequently. Renewal is the same process as getting a new one.
Can I get an IDP if my driver's license is suspended or expired?
No. Your driver's license must be valid and current. If your license is suspended, you cannot get an IDP until the suspension is lifted. If your license is expired, renew it first, then explore for an IDP.
Is there a difference between an International Driving Permit and an International Driver's License?
Yes. An International Driving Permit is a translation document issued by AAA or state motor vehicle offices. An "International Driver's License" is not a real thing in the U.S. — it is a term used by scam websites. Do not pay for an "International Driver's License" from any online service. Only the International Driving Permit is legitimate.