An IDP is a translation of your home country driver's license, not a separate license

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your valid driver's license into multiple languages. It is not a license itself — it does not replace your home country license, and you cannot drive on an IDP alone. Instead, it sits alongside your regular license and explains to police or rental car companies in other countries what your license says and what you are permitted to drive.

The IDP exists because a police officer in France or Japan cannot read an English-language license from California or Texas. The permit translates your license information — your name, date of birth, license number, vehicle categories you can operate, and any restrictions — into ten languages including French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese. When you hand over both documents together, a foreign official can understand what your home license authorizes.

You get an IDP from your home country's automobile association or licensing authority, not from the country you are visiting. In the United States, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) issue IDPs. In Canada, the Canadian Automobile Association issues them. In the United Kingdom, the AA (Automobile Association) and RAC (Royal Automobile Club) issue them. Each country has its own issuing body.

Key Takeaways

  • An IDP is a translation booklet, not a license — you must carry both your home country license and the IDP together when driving abroad.
  • You obtain an IDP from your home country's automobile association (such as AAA in the United States), not from the country where you plan to drive.
  • An IDP is typically valid for one year from the date of issue and costs between $15 and $30 depending on your country and issuing organization.
  • Some countries and rental car companies require an IDP; others do not, so check the specific rules for your destination before you travel.
  • An IDP does not change what you are legally permitted to drive — it only translates the permissions already on your home license.

When you need an IDP and when you do not

Whether you need an IDP depends on where you are driving and what you are doing there. Many countries do not legally require an IDP if you are a tourist with a valid home country license. However, rental car companies often require one anyway, even in countries where the law does not. The safest approach is to get an IDP before you travel if there is any chance you will rent a car or drive.

Some countries and regions that commonly require or strongly recommend an IDP include Mexico, most of Central and South America, much of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. European countries vary — some require an IDP, others do not, and some accept a home license alone. Australia and New Zealand generally do not require an IDP for tourists, but rental companies may ask for one. The rules change, and they differ between countries, so contact your rental car company and check the government travel website for your destination before you book.

If you are moving to another country permanently or working there long-term, an IDP is usually not the right document. Most countries require you to obtain a local driver's license within a set period (often three to twelve months). An IDP is designed for temporary visitors, not residents.

How to get an IDP in the United States

In the United States, you can obtain an IDP from two organizations: the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Both issue the same internationally recognized document. AAA is more widely known and has physical offices in most states, while AATA operates primarily online.

To get an IDP from AAA, visit a local AAA office in person. Bring your valid U.S. driver's license, a passport or other government-issued photo ID, and a completed process form (which you can fill out at the office). You will also need a passport-sized photograph — typically 2 by 2 inches. The cost is usually around $20, though prices vary slightly by state. The IDP is issued on the spot or within a few days, and it is valid for one year from the date of issue.

If you prefer not to visit an office, you can explore through AATA online at aata.org. You upload a photo, provide your license and passport information, and pay the fee (typically $15 to $20). AATA mails the IDP to you, which usually takes one to two weeks. Both routes produce the same document recognized worldwide.

What information appears on an IDP

An IDP contains the same core information as your home country license, but presented in a standardized format and translated into multiple languages. The document includes your full name, date of birth, license number, the date your home license was issued, the date it expires, and the vehicle categories you are permitted to drive (such as cars, motorcycles, or trucks).

The IDP also lists any restrictions on your license — for example, if you must wear corrective lenses, if you can only drive automatic transmission vehicles, or if your license is restricted to certain hours of the day. This information is crucial because a foreign police officer or rental company needs to know exactly what you are and are not allowed to do.

The IDP does not grant you any driving rights you do not already have on your home license. If your home license restricts you to cars only, the IDP will show that restriction. If your home license has expired or is suspended, the IDP is invalid. The IDP is only a translation tool — it reflects what your home license says, nothing more.

How long an IDP lasts and when to renew

An IDP is valid for one year from the date it is issued. If you plan to drive internationally for longer than one year, or if you travel frequently across multiple years, you will need to renew it. Renewal is the same process as getting a new one — you visit AAA or explore through AATA with an updated photo and your current license.

An IDP becomes invalid if your home country license expires or is suspended. If your home license renews, you should get a new IDP as well, because the license number and issue date on the IDP must match your current home license. Carrying an IDP that does not match your active license can create confusion or problems with rental companies and police.

Keep track of your IDP's expiration date before you travel. If it has expired, you will need to renew it before you leave. Most people renew their IDP at the same time they renew their home license, or just before a planned trip abroad.

What to do if you lose your IDP while traveling

If you lose your IDP while you are abroad, the document is not irreplaceable in the moment. Your home country license alone is still valid in most places, even without the IDP translation. However, rental car companies may refuse to rent to you without an IDP, and some police officers may be less willing to accept your license if they cannot read it.

If you lose your IDP, contact your country's embassy or consulate in the country where you are traveling. They cannot issue a new IDP (only your home country's automobile association can do that), but they can advise you on local driving rules and may be able to help you contact your automobile association to arrange an emergency replacement or to confirm your license status.

The best protection is to make a photocopy or take a photo of your IDP before you travel and store it separately from the original. If you lose the original, you have a record of the document number and issue date, which can help you prove you had one if a rental company questions you.

How an IDP differs from a local driver's license

An IDP is temporary and portable — it travels with you and is valid in many countries at once. A local driver's license is permanent (or at least long-term), specific to one country, and requires you to pass tests and meet residency requirements in that country. You cannot use an IDP to establish residency or to register a vehicle in another country.

If you move to another country or plan to stay longer than a few months, you will eventually need to obtain a local license in that country. The process varies widely — some countries allow you to exchange your home license for a local one without retesting, while others require you to pass written and driving tests again. An IDP does not count toward this process; it is only for temporary visitors.

An IDP also does not change your insurance status. Your home country auto insurance may or may not cover you when you drive abroad, and the IDP does not affect that coverage. You will need to check with your insurance company before you travel to understand what is covered internationally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive on just an IDP without my home country license?

No. An IDP is only a translation of your home license and is not valid on its own. You must carry both your home country license and the IDP together. If you are stopped by police or asked by a rental company, you need to show both documents.

Do I need an IDP to drive in Canada or Mexico from the United States?

Mexico strongly recommends an IDP and some rental companies require one. Canada does not legally require an IDP for U.S. citizens, but rental companies may ask for one. Check with your rental company before you book. It is safer to have one than to arrive and discover you cannot rent a car.

What happens if my home country license expires while I am traveling?

Your IDP becomes invalid if your home license expires. If your license expires during a trip, you should not drive. Renew your home license before you travel, or plan your trip so you return home before your license expires.

Can I get an IDP if my driver's license is suspended or revoked?

No. An IDP is only issued if you hold a valid, active driver's license. If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot obtain an IDP until your license is reinstated.

How much does an IDP cost and how long does it take to get one?

In the United States, an IDP costs between $15 and $20 depending on whether you use AAA or AATA. AAA issues it same-day or within a few days if you visit in person. AATA mails it to you, which typically takes one to two weeks. Plan ahead if you are explore by mail.