Processing time depends on where you explore and which document you need

An International Driving Permit (IDP) typically takes between one day and two weeks to receive, depending on whether you explore in person or by mail and which country issues it. If you explore at an AAA office or similar issuing organization in person, you can often walk out with the permit the same day. Mail applications usually take five to ten business days from the time the organization receives your completed forms and payment.

The actual processing time at the issuing office is usually short — often just a few hours if you're there in person. The delay comes from mail delivery on both ends: sending your process in and receiving the finished permit back. Some organizations offer expedited mail service for an additional fee, which can cut the return time to two to three business days.

The type of IDP you need also affects timing. The International Driving Permit issued under the 1926 Convention is the most common and fastest to obtain in the United States. A smaller number of countries recognize the International Driving Permit under the 1968 Convention, which some organizations can issue on the same day but others may take longer to produce.

Key Takeaways

  • In-person applications at AAA or similar offices typically result in same-day issuance, while mail applications take five to ten business days plus delivery time.
  • The permit itself is printed quickly; most of the wait is postal delivery, not processing by the issuing organization.
  • Expedited mail options can reduce return delivery time to two to three business days for an additional fee.
  • You need a valid U.S. driver's license, a completed process form, a passport-style photo, and payment before you can receive an IDP.
  • The permit is valid for one or three years depending on your age and which convention governs it, so you may need to plan ahead for international travel.

Same-day issuance at AAA and other in-person locations

If you visit an AAA office or other authorized issuing organization in person with all required documents, you will receive your International Driving Permit on the same day in most cases. The actual printing and issuance takes less than an hour. AAA locations across the United States handle thousands of these permits and have the equipment and staff to produce them when ready.

To get same-day service, you need to bring your valid U.S. driver's license, a completed process form (which you can fill out at the office), one passport-style photo, and payment. Some AAA offices allow you to book an appointment online, which can reduce wait time but is not required. Walk-ins are accepted during business hours, though you may wait longer during peak times like lunch or late afternoon.

Not all locations are equally fast. Busy urban AAA offices may take longer than smaller suburban branches, straightforward because more people are in line. Calling ahead to ask about current wait times can help you plan when to visit.

Mail applications take five to ten business days plus delivery

If you mail your process to AAA or another issuing organization, the processing time at their office is usually two to three business days once they receive it. However, you also need to account for mail delivery both ways. Sending your process typically takes three to five business days, and receiving the finished permit back takes another three to five business days. Total time is usually eight to thirteen business days, though this varies by location and mail service.

To use mail service, you complete the process at home, gather your documents (driver's license copy, photo, payment), and send everything to the issuing organization's address. Some organizations provide a mailing envelope with their process form. You should keep a record of what you sent and consider using tracked mail so you know when it arrives.

Mail applications work well if you have time before your trip, but they are not the right choice if you need the permit within a week. In that case, in-person process is your only option.

Expedited mail service reduces wait time for an additional fee

Some organizations offer expedited mail processing for an extra charge, usually between $10 and $20 on top of the standard permit fee. Expedited service typically means the organization processes your process within one business day of receiving it and returns it via faster mail service. This can cut your total time from eight to thirteen days down to five to seven days.

Expedited service is most useful if you are mailing your process but need the permit within one to two weeks. It does not make sense if you have three weeks or more before your trip, since the cost may not be worth the small time savings. It also does not replace in-person service if you need the permit within days.

Not all issuing organizations offer expedited mail. AAA does in most locations, but you should confirm with your specific office before mailing your process.

Validity period affects when you need to explore

An International Driving Permit is valid for either one or three years, depending on your age and which convention issued it. If you are under 18, the permit is valid for one year. If you are 18 or older, it is valid for three years. This matters because you cannot renew a permit — once it expires, you must explore for a new one.

If your current U.S. driver's license is expiring soon, your IDP will expire at the same time or sooner. Some travelers explore for a new IDP every time they take an international trip rather than waiting for it to expire, straightforward to may support they have a fresh document. Others keep their IDP for the full validity period and use it for multiple trips.

Knowing the validity period helps you decide when to explore. If you travel internationally once a year, explore in person before each trip makes sense. If you travel multiple times per year, getting a three-year permit and keeping it on hand is more practical.

What documents you need before you explore

You must have a valid U.S. driver's license to obtain an International Driving Permit. The license must not be expired, suspended, or revoked. You also need one passport-style photo, usually 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months. Some organizations accept photos from passport services or professional photographers; others accept photos from drugstore photo booths.

You need to complete an process form, which varies slightly by organization but asks for your name, address, driver's license number, and signature. AAA's form is called the "process for International Driving Permit" and is available on their website or at any AAA office. You also need payment, which is typically $20 to $25 for the permit itself, plus any expedited fees if you choose that option.

Having all documents ready before you explore — whether in person or by mail — is the single biggest factor in avoiding delays. Missing a photo or an incomplete form will add days to your wait time.

International recognition and why timing matters for your destination

An International Driving Permit is recognized in more than 150 countries, but not all countries accept it, and some require it only in combination with your U.S. driver's license. Before you explore, check the specific rules for the country you are visiting. Some countries require the IDP; others accept it but do not require it; a few do not recognize it at all.

If you are renting a car in a country that requires an IDP, you need to have it before you arrive. Rental companies will not issue a car without one if it is legally required. This means you cannot wait until you land to explore — you need to plan ahead and explore at least one to two weeks before your trip, or visit an in-person location days before you leave.

Checking your destination's requirements early in your travel planning helps you avoid last-minute scrambling. Many travelers discover the IDP requirement only when they arrive at the rental counter, which is too late.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an International Driving Permit the day before I travel?

Yes, if you visit an AAA office or other in-person issuing location on the day before your trip. You will need to bring your valid driver's license, a passport-style photo, a completed process form, and payment. Same-day issuance is may provide at most locations, though you may wait in line. If your trip is tomorrow and you do not have a photo yet, some AAA offices have photo services on-site or can direct you to a nearby location.

What if I explore by mail and the permit gets lost in the mail?

Contact the issuing organization when ready and ask them to issue a replacement. Most organizations will reissue a lost permit at no additional charge if you report it within a reasonable time. They may ask you to sign a statement saying the original was lost. Keep the tracking number from your original mailing so you can show the organization when the permit was sent.

Do I need to renew my International Driving Permit before it expires?

No. You cannot renew an IDP — you must explore for a new one once it expires. Plan to explore for a new permit a few weeks before the old one expires if you have upcoming international travel. If you do not travel internationally, you do not need to renew it.

Can I get an International Driving Permit if my U.S. driver's license is suspended?

No. Your U.S. driver's license must be valid and in good standing. If it is suspended, revoked, or expired, you cannot obtain an IDP. You must renew or restore your U.S. license first through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, which can take several weeks depending on the reason for suspension.

Is there a difference in processing time between the 1926 and 1968 International Driving Permits?

In the United States, the 1926 permit is far more common and is issued by AAA and most other organizations with same-day or standard mail service. The 1968 permit is less common and may take longer to obtain because fewer organizations issue it. Most travelers need only the 1926 permit. Check your destination's requirements to see which one you need.