International driving permits last between one and three years, depending on which country issued yours and what type you hold

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a replacement for your regular driver's license — it is a translation document that some countries recognize alongside your home license. The length of time it remains valid depends on two things: the issuing country's rules and which of the two IDP formats you received.

The most common format, issued under the 1926 Convention, lasts three years from the date of issue. The less common format, issued under the 1968 Convention, lasts one year. Most IDPs issued in the United States follow the three-year rule, but the exact expiration date is printed on the front of your permit, so you should check your own document rather than assume.

Your IDP also cannot outlast your regular driver's license. If your home license expires before your IDP does, the IDP becomes invalid on that same date. This matters if you renewed your IDP recently but your regular license is older — you will need to renew both before traveling.

Key Takeaways

  • Most International Driving Permits issued in the United States last three years from the date printed on the front of the document.
  • Your IDP is only valid as long as your regular driver's license is valid, so an expired home license makes the IDP worthless.
  • The 1926 Convention format (three years) is far more widely recognized internationally than the 1968 Convention format (one year).
  • You can renew your IDP before it expires, but you must also hold a valid regular driver's license to do so.

Where to find your IDP expiration date

The expiration date is printed on the front of your International Driving Permit in the top right corner, usually labeled "Expires" or "Valid until." This date is three years from the issue date if you hold the 1926 Convention permit, which is the standard in the United States.

Do not rely on memory or the date you received it. Pull out your permit and write down the expiration date. If you cannot locate your permit or it is damaged, you will need to request a replacement from the same issuing body — typically your state's Department of Motor Vehicles or a AAA office if you obtained it there.

What happens when your IDP expires

Once your International Driving Permit expires, it is no longer recognized by rental car companies, police, or insurance providers in other countries. Driving with an expired IDP does not carry the same legal weight as driving with an expired regular license, but it also provides no protection — you would be driving on your regular license alone, which may not be recognized in the country you are visiting.

If you are stopped by police and your IDP has expired, you are essentially driving without the translation document that many countries expect. This can complicate matters, even if your regular license is still valid. Rental car companies often refuse to rent to drivers whose IDP has expired, regardless of the status of the home license.

Renewing your IDP before it expires

You can renew your International Driving Permit up to one year before it expires. To do so, you will need your current regular driver's license, a passport or other government-issued ID, and a passport-sized photo. The renewal process is the same as obtaining a new IDP for the first time.

In the United States, you can renew through the American Automobile Association (AAA) if you are a member, or through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. Processing times vary — AAA can sometimes issue a replacement the same day if you visit in person, while DMV processing can take several weeks. If you are traveling soon, check the processing time before you renew.

IDP validity versus your regular license expiration

Your International Driving Permit is only as valid as your regular driver's license. If your regular license expires on March 15, 2026, but your IDP does not expire until June 2027, the IDP becomes invalid on March 15, 2026. You cannot use an expired regular license to support an IDP, even if the IDP itself has not yet expired.

This means if you renewed your IDP recently but your regular license is approaching expiration, you should renew your regular license first. Once your regular license is renewed, you can then renew your IDP if needed. Some travelers make the mistake of renewing only the IDP and then finding it invalid when their regular license expires mid-trip.

Different rules by country of issue

If you obtained your International Driving Permit outside the United States, the validity period may differ. Some countries issue IDPs that last only one year, while others issue them for three years. The issuing country's name appears on the front of the permit, and you should check that country's motor vehicle authority if you are unsure of the validity period.

If you hold an IDP issued by another country and plan to use it in the United States or elsewhere, the same rule applies: it is only valid alongside a regular driver's license from that same country, and it cannot outlast that license. If you have moved to the United States and obtained a U.S. driver's license, your old IDP from another country is no longer valid for use here.

Planning ahead for travel

Before booking a rental car or traveling internationally, check both your regular driver's license expiration date and your IDP expiration date. If either is within three months of your travel date, renew it before you leave. Rental car companies often check both documents, and some will refuse to rent if either is expired or expiring very soon.

If you are traveling in the next few weeks and your IDP has expired or is about to expire, you may not have time to renew it through standard channels. In that case, contact your rental car company in advance to ask whether they will accept your regular license alone, or whether an IDP is required in the country you are visiting. Some countries do not require an IDP at all, while others make it mandatory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an expired International Driving Permit if my regular license is still valid?

No. An expired IDP is not recognized by rental companies or authorities, even if your regular license is current. You would be driving on your regular license alone, which may not be accepted in the country you are visiting. Renew your IDP before travel if it has expired.

What if my regular driver's license expires before my IDP does?

Your IDP becomes invalid the moment your regular license expires, even if the IDP itself has years remaining. You must renew your regular license first. Once it is renewed, you can then renew your IDP if needed, though some countries do not require an IDP at all.

How do I renew my International Driving Permit?

Contact the same organization that issued it — usually AAA or your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. You will need your current regular driver's license, a government-issued ID, and a passport photo. Processing times vary from same-day (AAA in person) to several weeks (DMV by mail).

Is an International Driving Permit required in every country?

No. Some countries recognize only your regular driver's license, while others require an IDP alongside it. Check the specific country's requirements before travel. Your rental car company can tell you what documents they need for the country you are visiting.

Can I get an International Driving Permit if my regular license is expired?

No. You must hold a valid regular driver's license to obtain or renew an IDP. If your license has expired, renew it first through your state's DMV, then obtain or renew your IDP.