Your International Driver's License Lasts as Long as Your Regular License

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid for either one year or three years, depending on which version you get. The one-year permit costs less and works fine for a single trip. The three-year permit costs more but covers multiple trips over a longer period. Both expire on a specific date printed on the document itself — that date is what matters, not how often you use it.

The catch: your IDP cannot outlive your regular driver's license. If your home country license expires in two years but you buy a three-year IDP, the IDP becomes worthless when your regular license expires. You need both documents to be valid at the same time for the IDP to work.

Key Takeaways

  • A one-year International Driving Permit costs less and works for short trips; a three-year permit covers longer periods but costs more.
  • Your IDP expires on the date printed on it, but it also becomes invalid if your regular driver's license expires first.
  • You must carry both your IDP and your regular license together when driving abroad — one without the other is not enough.
  • An IDP is not a replacement for your regular license and does not extend your driving privileges in your home country.

The One-Year vs. Three-Year Choice

The one-year IDP is the standard choice for people taking a single vacation or short-term trip. It costs around $20 and is valid for exactly 12 months from the date of issue. If you are driving in Europe for two weeks next summer, a one-year permit issued in spring will still be valid when you travel.

The three-year IDP costs roughly $30 to $40 and covers three calendar years from issue. Choose this version if you plan multiple international trips over the next few years, or if you are relocating abroad for work or study. The longer validity means you do not have to get a new permit each time you cross a border.

Both versions are issued by the same organizations — in the United States, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the National Automobile Club (NAC) are the only authorized issuers. You cannot buy an IDP from a government office, online retailer, or travel agency, even though some of those places claim to sell them.

What Happens When Your Regular License Expires

Your International Driving Permit becomes void the moment your regular driver's license expires, even if the IDP itself has years left. A rental car company or police officer checking your documents will see that your home license is expired and will not accept the IDP as a substitute. You need both documents to be current.

This matters most if you buy a three-year IDP and then renew your regular license partway through. Your old IDP is still valid as long as your old license was valid, but once you get a new regular license, you may want to get a new IDP too — especially if the expiration dates no longer line up. Some countries have specific rules about how old an IDP can be relative to your current license, though this varies by destination.

How to Check Your IDP Expiration Date

The expiration date is printed clearly on the front of your IDP, usually in the upper right corner or near your photograph. It appears as a specific date — for example, "Valid until 15 MAY 2027" — not as a number of years. Write this date down or take a photo of it before you travel, because you will need to know it if your permit is lost or questioned.

If you cannot find your IDP or do not remember when it expires, contact the organization that issued it. AAA and NAC both keep records of permits they have issued and can tell you the expiration date over the phone or through their websites. Bring your regular driver's license number when you call — they will use it to look up your record.

Renewing Your IDP Before It Expires

You can get a new IDP at any time, even if your current one has not expired yet. Many people renew a few months before the old one runs out, especially if they travel frequently. There is no penalty for having two valid IDPs at once, though you only need to carry one.

To get a new IDP, go back to AAA or NAC with your current regular driver's license and a passport or other government ID. Bring a passport-sized photograph (usually 2x2 inches). The process takes about 15 minutes in person, and you walk out with the new permit the same day. By mail, it takes one to two weeks.

Using Your IDP in Different Countries

An International Driving Permit is recognized in over 150 countries, but not all of them. Before you travel, check the specific country's rules — some nations accept an IDP as a translation of your regular license, while others require additional documents like an official translation from a notary. A few countries do not recognize IDPs at all and require you to get a local license or an official translation from your home country's motor vehicle department.

The IDP itself does not grant you any driving privileges you do not already have. If you are not allowed to drive in your home country, an IDP will not change that. If your regular license is suspended or revoked, your IDP is also invalid. The permit is purely a translation tool — it translates your regular license into multiple languages so that police and rental companies can understand it.

What to Do If Your IDP Expires While You Are Abroad

If your IDP expires while you are traveling, you cannot legally drive in most countries. Rental car companies will refuse to rent to you, and police can fine or arrest you for driving without a valid permit. If you are on a long-term trip and your IDP is about to expire, get a new one before you leave home, or contact AAA or NAC to see if they can issue one while you are abroad — though this is not always possible depending on your location.

If you are stranded without a valid IDP, your options are limited. Some countries allow you to drive on your regular home license alone for a short grace period, but this is not may provide. The safest approach is to plan ahead: if your trip is longer than your IDP's remaining validity, renew it before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my IDP after my regular driver's license expires?

No. Your IDP is only valid when your regular license is also valid. Once your regular license expires, the IDP becomes invalid even if it has years remaining. You must renew your regular license first, then get a new IDP if you need one.

Do I need to carry both my regular license and my IDP when driving?

Yes. You must have both documents with you at all times. The IDP is a translation of your regular license, not a replacement. Police and rental companies will ask to see both.

Can I get an IDP online or by mail?

You can explore by mail through AAA or NAC, but you cannot buy an IDP from an online retailer or travel website. Only AAA and NAC are authorized to issue them in the United States. By mail, the process takes one to two weeks.

What if I lose my IDP while traveling?

Contact AAA or NAC when ready to report it. You may be able to get a replacement, though this depends on where you are. In the meantime, carry your regular driver's license and passport. Some countries allow you to drive on your regular license alone for a short period, but this varies.

Does an IDP let me drive in countries where I am not licensed?

No. An IDP is only a translation of your existing license. It does not grant you any new driving rights. If you are not licensed to drive in your home country, an IDP will not change that.