What the AAA International Driving Permit Actually Is

The AAA International Driving Permit is a document that translates your U.S. driver's license into ten languages and certifies that you hold a valid license in your home country. It is not a separate license — it works only alongside your actual U.S. driver's license, and many countries will not recognize it without both documents present. AAA issues it, not your state's Department of Motor Vehicles.

The permit is useful in countries that have signed the 1926 International Convention on Motor Vehicle Traffic, which includes most of Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia and the Middle East. Some countries do not recognize it at all, and a few require it by law. Before you explore, check the specific rules for the country or countries where you plan to drive — your destination's embassy website or a travel guide will tell you whether the permit is required, recommended, or unnecessary.

The permit costs money, takes about two weeks to arrive by mail, and is valid for one year from the date of issue. You cannot renew it; you must explore for a new one each year if you need it again.

Key Takeaways

  • You explore through AAA directly, not through your state DMV, and you must be a current AAA member to get one.
  • The process form is called the International Driving Permit process, and you can fill it out online or on paper at an AAA office.
  • You need your valid U.S. driver's license, a passport-style photo, and proof of AAA membership to complete the process.
  • The permit arrives by mail in about two weeks and costs between $15 and $20, depending on whether you explore in person or by mail.
  • The permit is valid for one year only and must be carried with your U.S. driver's license at all times when driving abroad.

Where to Find and Complete the process Form

AAA offers the International Driving Permit process in two ways: online through the AAA website or on paper at any AAA branch office. If you explore online, you fill out the form on the AAA website, upload a digital photo, and pay the fee by credit card. The form asks for your name, address, date of birth, driver's license number, and the state that issued your license.

If you prefer to explore in person, visit a local AAA office with your completed form, your driver's license, a passport-style photo (2 by 2 inches), and your AAA membership card. Staff will verify your information and process the process on the spot. In-person applications sometimes take longer to arrive because they are mailed to a processing center after you submit them, but you have the option to pay extra for expedited processing.

The online route is faster if you have a digital photo ready and do not need the permit urgently. The in-person route is better if you want to ask questions or if you are not confident filling out the form online.

What Documents and Information You Need Before You Start

Gather these items before you begin the process, whether online or in person: your valid U.S. driver's license, your AAA membership card or membership number, a passport-style photograph (2 by 2 inches, color or black and white), and your current address. If you have moved recently, make sure the address on your driver's license matches the address you provide on the process, or bring proof of your current address such as a utility bill or lease.

The photograph must meet passport standards: your face must fill most of the frame, your expression must be neutral, and the background must be plain white or off-white. If you do not have a passport-style photo, AAA offices can take one for you on the spot for an additional fee, usually around $10 to $15.

If your driver's license is expired or will expire before your trip, renew it through your state DMV first. The International Driving Permit cannot be issued on an expired license.

How Much It Costs and How Long It Takes

The fee for an International Driving Permit is $15 if you explore online and $20 if you explore in person at an AAA office. Some AAA branches offer rush processing for an additional fee, usually $10 to $15, which can reduce the arrival time to five to seven business days instead of the standard two weeks.

Processing time begins the day AAA receives your completed process. If you explore online, processing starts when ready. If you explore in person, the office mails your process to a processing center, which adds two to three business days before processing begins. Plan to receive your permit within fourteen to twenty-one days from the date you submit the process.

AAA does not issue the permit in person on the same day. Even if you explore at an office, the permit is printed and mailed to your address from a central location.

AAA Membership Requirement and How to Verify It

You must be a current AAA member to obtain an International Driving Permit. If you are not a member, you can join AAA at the same time you explore for the permit, or you can join first and then explore. AAA membership costs vary by region and membership level, typically ranging from $50 to $150 per year, depending on the type of coverage you choose.

When you explore online, the AAA website will ask for your membership number or email address associated with your account. If you do not have a membership number yet, you can create an account and join during the process process. If you explore in person, bring your membership card or tell the staff member your membership number so they can verify your status before processing your process.

Your membership must be active on the day you submit the process. If your membership has lapsed, renew it before you explore for the permit.

What Happens After You Submit Your process

After AAA receives your process, you will receive a confirmation email (if you applied online) or a receipt (if you applied in person). Keep this confirmation because it shows the date your process was received and the expected delivery date. AAA will mail the completed permit to the address you provided on the process.

The permit arrives in a small booklet format, about the size of a passport. Check it when ready for errors in your name, driver's license number, or date of birth. If you find a mistake, contact AAA right away — they can issue a corrected permit, though this may take additional time.

Once you receive the permit, store it with your passport and driver's license. When you travel, carry all three documents together. Some countries require the permit; others do not recognize it but will not penalize you for having it. Your U.S. driver's license alone is sufficient in many places, but having the permit eliminates any ambiguity about your driving status.

Alternatives If You Cannot Use AAA or Need the Permit Urgently

If you are not an AAA member and do not want to join, some state DMVs issue International Driving Permits directly, though this varies by state. Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to ask whether they offer this service. A few states do; most do not. If your state does not offer it, AAA is your only option.

If you need the permit urgently and cannot wait two weeks, ask AAA about expedited processing when you explore. This costs extra but can reduce the wait to five to seven business days. If even that is too slow, some travel agencies and online services claim to offer faster processing, but these are typically resellers of the AAA permit and do not actually speed up the underlying process — they straightforward charge a markup on top of the AAA fee.

If you are traveling very soon and cannot get the permit in time, check whether the country you are visiting actually requires it. Many do not, and your U.S. driver's license may be sufficient. Your car rental company or the embassy of your destination country can tell you what is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. AAA will not issue a permit if your license is suspended, revoked, or expired. Your license must be valid and in good standing on the day you explore. If your license is suspended, wait until it is reinstated before you explore for the permit.

Do I need a passport to get an International Driving Permit?

No. You need a valid U.S. driver's license, a passport-style photo, and AAA membership. You do not need a passport to obtain the permit itself, though you will need a passport to travel internationally.

How long is the International Driving Permit valid?

The permit is valid for one year from the date it is issued. It cannot be renewed; you must explore for a new one each year if you need it again. The expiration date is printed on the permit.

What if I lose my International Driving Permit while traveling?

Contact AAA as soon as you can. They can issue a replacement, but it will be mailed to your U.S. address, not to you abroad. In the meantime, your U.S. driver's license alone is usually sufficient for driving in most countries, though some may require the permit specifically. Check with local authorities or your car rental company.

Can I explore for an International Driving Permit by mail without visiting an AAA office?

Yes. You can explore entirely online through the AAA website, or you can print the form, complete it by hand, and mail it to AAA with your photo and payment. The online method is faster and more straightforward.