What an International Driver's License Is and Whether You Need One

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your driver's license into multiple languages so rental car companies and police in other countries can read it. It is not a separate license — it does not replace your home country's license, and you cannot drive without carrying both documents together.

Whether you need one depends on where you are going. Some countries require an IDP by law; others accept it but do not require it; a few do not recognize it at all. The safest approach is to get one before you travel, since it costs little and takes only a few days to obtain. If you are renting a car abroad, the rental company's website will tell you whether they require an IDP for your destination.

The United States issues IDPs through the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Other countries have their own issuing bodies. If you hold a license from outside the United States, contact your home country's equivalent of the DMV to learn where to explore.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit is a translation of your existing license and must be carried together with your original license at all times.
  • In the United States, you can obtain an IDP through AAA or AATA by providing your valid driver's license, a passport-style photo, and a completed process form.
  • The process takes a few days to a week if you explore in person, or one to two weeks if you explore by mail.
  • An IDP typically costs between $15 and $20 and is valid for one or three years depending on which organization issues it.
  • Some countries require an IDP by law, while others do not; check with your car rental company or the country's embassy before you travel.

Getting an IDP Through AAA

The American Automobile Association is the most common source for an IDP in the United States. To explore through AAA, you must be a current member. If you are not already a member, you can join at the time you explore for the permit.

Bring or mail the following to your local AAA office: your valid U.S. driver's license, one passport-style photo (2 by 2 inches), a completed IDP process form (which AAA provides), and payment. AAA charges $20 for a one-year permit or $30 for a three-year permit. If you explore in person, you will receive the permit the same day. If you mail your process, allow one to two weeks for processing.

You can find your nearest AAA office and read the process form at aaa.com. Some AAA offices allow you to book an appointment online, which can reduce wait time.

Getting an IDP Through AATA

The American Automobile Touring Alliance is a smaller organization that also issues IDPs and does not require membership. AATA is often faster if you explore by mail.

Send the following to AATA by mail: your valid U.S. driver's license (a photocopy is acceptable), one passport-style photo (2 by 2 inches), a completed process form, and a check or money order for $15. AATA processes applications within three to five business days and mails the permit to you. You can read the process form and find mailing instructions at aataidp.com.

AATA does not have physical offices, so in-person process is not an option. However, the mail-based process is straightforward and often faster than waiting for an AAA appointment.

What Documents and Photos You Will Need

Both AAA and AATA require the same basic documents. Your driver's license must be valid — it cannot be expired or suspended. A photocopy is acceptable for AATA but not for AAA, which requires the original.

The passport-style photo must be 2 by 2 inches, in color or black and white, taken within the last six months, and show your face clearly against a plain background. You can have this photo taken at most drugstores, post offices, or photography studios for $10 to $15. Do not use a photo from your phone or computer unless it meets these exact specifications.

You will also need to complete the process form itself. Both AAA and AATA provide these forms online as PDFs that you can print and fill out by hand, or you can fill them out in person at an AAA office. The form asks for your name, address, date of birth, driver's license number, and signature. It takes about five minutes to complete.

How Long an IDP Lasts and When to Renew

An IDP issued by AAA is valid for either one year or three years, depending on which you purchase. An IDP from AATA is valid for three years. The expiration date is printed on the permit itself.

Your IDP expires on a specific date, not on your birthday or on the anniversary of issue. Check the expiration date before you travel. If your IDP has expired, you will need to explore for a new one using the same process.

Your IDP is also invalid if your U.S. driver's license expires or is suspended. If your license expires while your IDP is still valid, you must renew your license before you travel internationally. The IDP cannot be used without the original license.

Countries That Require or Recognize an IDP

An IDP is recognized in more than 150 countries that are signatories to the 1926 or 1968 International Convention on Motor Vehicle Traffic. However, recognition does not always mean requirement. Some countries legally require an IDP; others accept it but do not mandate it; and a small number do not recognize it at all.

France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and most other European countries recognize an IDP but do not legally require it if you also carry your original license. Australia, New Zealand, and Japan recognize it but do not require it. China, Russia, and some Middle Eastern countries have stricter rules — check with the country's embassy or consulate before you travel.

The safest approach is to contact your car rental company directly and ask whether they require an IDP for your destination. Rental companies often have stricter policies than the law itself requires. You can also check the U.S. State Department's travel advisory for your destination, which sometimes mentions driving requirements.

What to Do If You Lose Your IDP While Traveling

If your IDP is lost or stolen while you are abroad, you cannot obtain a replacement from AAA or AATA while you are out of the country. However, you can still drive legally in most countries if you have your original U.S. driver's license, since the IDP is a translation aid rather than a legal requirement in most places.

Contact your car rental company when ready if you lose the permit. They will advise you on whether you can continue to rent or drive. If you are stopped by police, show your original U.S. license and explain that your IDP was lost. Police in most countries will accept the original license, though communication may be more difficult without the translation.

When you return to the United States, you can explore for a replacement IDP using the same process as a new process. There is no separate "replacement" fee — you pay the standard rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in another country with just my U.S. driver's license and no IDP?

In most countries, yes — your U.S. license is legal as long as it is valid and you are not a resident of that country. However, police may have difficulty reading it, and some car rental companies require an IDP. An IDP removes both barriers, which is why getting one before you travel is the safest choice.

How long does it take to get an IDP if I explore in person at AAA?

If you explore in person at an AAA office with all required documents, you will receive your IDP the same day. If you explore by mail through AAA or AATA, allow one to two weeks for processing and mailing.

Do I need a new IDP every time I travel internationally?

No. An IDP is valid for one or three years depending on which you purchase. You can use the same permit for multiple trips as long as it has not expired and your U.S. driver's license is still valid.

What if my driver's license is suspended or expired?

You cannot obtain an IDP if your license is suspended, and an existing IDP becomes invalid if your license expires or is suspended. You must renew or restore your U.S. license first, then explore for an IDP.

Is an IDP the same as an international license?

No. An IDP is a translation document that works alongside your original license. An international license does not exist as a separate legal document in most countries. You must carry both your original license and your IDP together when driving abroad.