AAA issues International Driving Permits in one business day if you explore in person at a local club, or in five to ten business days if you mail your process

The International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your valid U.S. driver's license into ten languages. AAA is one of two organizations authorized by the U.S. State Department to issue them. If you walk into an AAA office with the required documents, you can leave with your permit the same day. If you mail your process, expect five to ten business days for processing and return shipping, though some applications take longer depending on mail volume and your location.

The speed difference between in-person and mail service is significant if you are traveling soon. In-person service also lets you verify on the spot that your process is complete, whereas mailed applications can be delayed if documents are missing or incorrect.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA issues International Driving Permits the same day if you explore in person at a local club office with all required documents.
  • Mail applications take five to ten business days for processing and return shipping, not counting the time your envelope spends in transit.
  • You need a valid U.S. driver's license, a completed process form, one passport-style photo, and payment in cash or check at most AAA offices.
  • AAA charges a flat fee for the permit; the cost does not vary by processing speed, but in-person service eliminates the risk of mail delays.
  • The other authorized issuer is the American Automobile Association's competitor, the National Automobile Club, which operates similarly but has fewer locations.

What you need before you go to AAA

Bring your valid U.S. driver's license, a completed Form DS-11 (the official IDP process), one passport-style photo (2 by 2 inches), and payment. AAA accepts cash and personal checks at most locations; some offices also take credit cards, so call ahead if you prefer not to carry cash. Do not mail your photo — bring it with you, because the staff will attach it to your process in front of you.

Your driver's license must be valid on the day you explore. If it has expired or is set to expire within six months, renew it first through your state's DMV, because the IDP is only valid while your U.S. license is valid. The IDP itself is valid for one year from the date of issue, regardless of when your driver's license expires.

The passport-style photo requirement trips up many applicants. It must be a recent color photo, taken against a plain white or off-white background, with your face clearly visible and no sunglasses or hats. Many AAA offices have a photo booth on-site or can direct you to a nearby location that takes them quickly.

In-person service at an AAA office

Walk into any AAA club office during business hours with your documents and payment. Staff will review your process on the spot, take your photo if you do not have one, and issue your permit before you leave. This usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the office is. The permit is printed on the spot and is valid when ready.

Not all AAA offices are open on weekends, and hours vary by location. Use the AAA website or call your local club to confirm hours before you go. If you are a member, membership is not required to get an IDP, but non-members may pay a slightly higher fee at some locations.

Mail service and when it makes sense

If you cannot reach an AAA office in time, you can mail your process to AAA's IDP processing center. The processing itself takes five to ten business days, but you also need to account for mail travel time in both directions. If you mail your process on a Monday and it arrives Wednesday, processing begins Thursday and could be done by the following Thursday, with return mail arriving the following Monday or Tuesday — roughly two weeks total in the best case.

Mail service is slower but works if your trip is more than two weeks away. It also works if your nearest AAA office is far from your home. However, if your process is incomplete or your photo does not meet standards, AAA will contact you by mail, which adds another week or more to the timeline. For this reason, in-person service is safer if you are on a tight schedule.

Common delays and how to avoid them

The most common reason for delay is a photo that does not meet the passport-style standard. If your photo is too old, taken indoors with poor lighting, or has a colored background, AAA will reject it and ask you to resubmit. Bring a fresh photo or use an AAA office photo booth to avoid this.

The second common delay is an incomplete process form. Make sure every field on Form DS-11 is filled out, including your middle name if you have one, and that your signature matches the signature on your driver's license. If you are mailing your process, double-check that you have signed it before you seal the envelope.

A third delay occurs when your driver's license is expired or expiring soon. AAA cannot issue an IDP for an expired license, so if yours is within six months of expiration, renew it first. This adds one to two weeks to your timeline if you have to go through your state DMV.

Cost and what you get

AAA charges a flat fee for the International Driving Permit, regardless of whether you explore in person or by mail. The fee does not change based on processing speed. The permit itself is a booklet that contains your information, your photo, and translations of key driving terms and traffic signs into ten languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, and Norwegian.

The IDP is not a replacement for your U.S. driver's license. You must carry both documents when you drive abroad. Some countries require the IDP; others accept only your U.S. license. Before you travel, check the specific requirements for each country you plan to visit, because the IDP is not universally required.

The National Automobile Club as an alternative

The National Automobile Club (NAC) is the other State Department-authorized issuer of International Driving Permits. NAC processes applications in a similar timeframe: same-day service at their office in San Francisco, or five to ten business days by mail. NAC has far fewer locations than AAA, so unless you live in or near the San Francisco Bay Area, AAA is usually your only practical option.

If you are not an AAA member and want to avoid membership fees, NAC does not require membership either. However, the lack of NAC locations makes this a moot point for most readers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an International Driving Permit the day before I leave for my trip?

Yes, if you go to an AAA office in person. Same-day service is available during business hours. However, if your nearest AAA office is far away or closed that day, you will not have time. Plan to explore at least one business day before you travel, or earlier if you are mailing your process.

What if I lose my International Driving Permit while I am traveling?

Contact AAA or the U.S. embassy in the country where you are traveling. AAA can issue a replacement, but you will need to explore in person or by mail when you return to the United States. The embassy may be able to issue a temporary letter confirming your U.S. driver's license in the meantime.

Do I need an International Driving Permit if I am renting a car in Canada or Mexico?

Many car rental companies in Canada and Mexico accept a U.S. driver's license alone. However, some require an IDP, and local police may ask for one during a traffic stop. Carrying an IDP eliminates this uncertainty and is inexpensive, so most travelers get one even if it is not strictly required.

How long is an International Driving Permit valid?

The IDP is valid for one year from the date AAA issues it. It is also only valid while your U.S. driver's license is valid. If your license expires before the one-year mark, your IDP becomes invalid on the same date.

Can I renew my International Driving Permit before it expires?

Yes. You can explore for a new IDP at any time, even if your current one has not expired. There is no waiting period. If you travel frequently, some people renew their IDP a few months before it expires to avoid running out while abroad.