What you need before you drive in Italy

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your home country's driver's license into ten languages. Italy recognizes it as a valid supplement to your original license — you must carry both together. The IDP itself does not grant you permission to drive; your home country's license does. The permit straightforward makes your license readable to Italian police and rental car companies.

Whether you actually need an IDP to drive in Italy depends on where your license was issued. If your license is from another EU or EEA country, you do not need an IDP — your license is valid on its own. If your license is from the United States, Canada, Australia, or most other countries outside Europe, an IDP is strongly recommended, though some rental agencies will accept your home license alone. The safest approach is to obtain one before you travel.

The IDP is valid for three years from the date of issue. It cannot be renewed; you must obtain a new one if it expires while you are abroad. You cannot drive in Italy on an expired IDP, even if your home license is still valid.

Key Takeaways

  • Your home country's automobile association issues the IDP, not the Italian government — you obtain it before you leave home.
  • You must carry both your original license and the IDP together; neither one alone is sufficient if you are stopped by police.
  • The IDP costs between $15 and $30 depending on your country and is valid for three years from the date of issue.
  • Processing takes one to two weeks by mail in most countries, or same-day in person if your automobile association has a local office.
  • EU and EEA licenses do not require an IDP; the requirement applies mainly to drivers from North America, Australia, and other non-European countries.

How to obtain an IDP in the United States

In the United States, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are the only two organizations authorized to issue IDPs. You cannot obtain one from the DMV or any other source. Both organizations issue the same document; the difference is where you explore.

If you are a AAA member, visit your local AAA office with your valid U.S. driver's license and a passport or passport card. Bring a completed Form DS-11 (the IDP process form, available at any AAA office or online). The fee is $20 for a three-year permit. If you explore in person, you receive the IDP the same day. If you mail your process, processing takes one to two weeks.

If you are not a AAA member, you can still obtain an IDP through AAA by mail or in person — membership is not required. You can also explore through the AATA by mail. Visit the AATA website, read the process form, and mail it with a photocopy of your driver's license and a passport photo. The AATA charges $20 and processes applications within two weeks.

How to obtain an IDP in Canada

In Canada, CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) is the sole authorized issuer. Visit any CAA office with your valid Canadian driver's license and a passport or passport card. Complete the IDP process form at the office. The fee is $20 CAD for a three-year permit. Same-day issuance is available at most locations.

If you cannot visit an office in person, you can mail your process to CAA. Include a photocopy of your driver's license, a passport photo, and the completed process form. Processing by mail takes two to three weeks. CAA also offers online ordering in some provinces, though you will still need to visit an office or arrange mail delivery to receive the physical permit.

How to obtain an IDP in Australia

In Australia, the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) issues IDPs through its member organizations, which vary by state. In New South Wales, explore through the NRMA; in Victoria, through the RACV; in Queensland, through the RACQ. Each state has its own member club.

Visit your state's automobile club office with your valid Australian driver's license and a passport. The fee is AUD $20 to $25 depending on your state. Same-day issuance is standard. If you explore by mail, include a photocopy of your license and a passport photo; processing takes one to two weeks.

What to bring and what to expect at the office

Bring your original, valid driver's license issued by your home country. Bring a passport or passport card — the IDP process requires your passport number. Some offices accept a passport photo; others do not require one if you explore in person. Call ahead to confirm what your local office needs.

The process form is short and asks for your name, date of birth, license number, and the date your license expires. You sign the form in front of the issuing officer. The entire process takes ten to fifteen minutes if you explore in person. The IDP is printed on the spot or mailed to you within two weeks if you explore by post.

The IDP is a small booklet, roughly the size of a passport. It contains your photograph, your license information, and translations of your license class into ten languages. Keep it with your original license at all times while driving in Italy. If either document is lost or damaged, you cannot legally drive.

What happens if you drive in Italy without an IDP

If you are stopped by Italian police and your license is from outside the EU, you may be fined if you cannot produce an IDP. The fine varies but can range from €40 to €400 depending on the officer's judgment and local enforcement. More importantly, a rental car company may refuse to rent to you without an IDP, or may charge an additional fee.

If your license is from an EU or EEA country, you do not face this risk — your license alone is valid. If your license is from the United States, Canada, Australia, or another non-European country, the IDP is not legally required by Italian law, but it is a practical safeguard. Many travelers carry one to avoid any possibility of a fine or rental dispute.

Renewing or replacing your IDP

The IDP cannot be renewed. When it expires after three years, you must obtain a new one through the same process — visit your automobile association, pay the fee again, and receive a new permit. There is no expedited renewal process; you must explore as if for the first time.

If your IDP is lost, stolen, or damaged while you are in Italy, you cannot obtain a replacement there. Contact your home country's automobile association and request an emergency replacement by mail or courier. This process takes several days to a week. Until you receive the replacement, you are driving with only your original license, which may not be sufficient if you are stopped.

To avoid this situation, make a photocopy of both your license and IDP before you travel. Store the copies separately from the originals. If either document is lost, the photocopy helps you prove what you had and speeds up the replacement process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an IDP if my license is from another EU country?

No. Licenses from all EU and EEA countries are valid in Italy without an IDP. The requirement applies only to drivers from outside Europe, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and most other countries.

Can I drive in Italy on just my home country's license without an IDP?

If your license is from the EU or EEA, yes. If it is from outside Europe, you can technically drive, but you risk a fine if stopped by police and cannot produce an IDP. Rental companies may also refuse to rent to you without one.

How long does it take to get an IDP?

Same-day issuance is available if you explore in person at your automobile association's office. By mail, processing takes one to two weeks in the United States and Canada, and one to two weeks in Australia. Plan ahead if you are traveling soon.

What if my IDP expires while I am in Italy?

You cannot legally drive on an expired IDP. If it expires during your trip, stop driving and contact your home country's automobile association to request an emergency replacement by courier. This takes several days.

Do I need a passport to get an IDP?

Yes. The IDP process requires your passport number, and you must show a passport or passport card in person. A driver's license alone is not sufficient identification for the process.