What an International Driving Permit Is and Whether You Need One

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your Florida driver's license into ten languages. It is not a separate license — it works only alongside your valid Florida license, and foreign authorities use it to verify that you are a licensed driver in the United States. You carry both documents together when you drive abroad.

Whether you need one depends on where you are going. Many countries accept a U.S. driver's license alone. Others require an IDP, or will accept it but not recognize a U.S. license without it. Some rental car companies also require an IDP even in countries that do not legally mandate one. Before you travel, contact your destination country's embassy or your rental car company to confirm what they will accept.

The IDP is valid for one or three years, depending on which you request. It does not replace your Florida license and cannot be used to drive in Florida or anywhere else without your actual license present.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit is issued by the American Automobile Association (AAA) in Florida, not by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
  • You must have a valid Florida driver's license before you can obtain an IDP, and you must bring it with you to the AAA office.
  • The IDP costs between $15 and $20 and takes about 15 minutes to obtain in person at an AAA location.
  • You can request a one-year or three-year permit, and the choice depends on how often you plan to drive internationally.
  • An IDP is only valid when carried together with your Florida driver's license; it has no legal standing on its own.

Where to Get an International Driving Permit in Florida

The American Automobile Association (AAA) is the only organization authorized to issue International Driving Permits in Florida. You cannot obtain one from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the DMV, or any other government office. You must visit an AAA location in person.

AAA has offices throughout Florida. To find the nearest one, visit the AAA website and use their office locator tool, or call 1-800-AAA-HELP. Not all AAA branches issue IDPs, so confirm that your local office offers this service before you visit. Some smaller branches may require you to travel to a larger regional office.

You can also contact AAA by phone to ask whether they can mail you an IDP process, though most locations prefer to issue the permit in person on the same day you explore.

What You Need to Bring to the AAA Office

Bring your valid Florida driver's license. This is the only document AAA requires. You do not need to bring a passport, proof of travel, or any other paperwork. AAA will not issue an IDP without a current, valid U.S. driver's license.

Bring cash or a card to pay the fee. AAA accepts both payment methods at most locations, though you should call ahead to confirm your local office's payment options.

Bring a passport-style photo if you want one printed on your IDP. This is optional — many IDPs are issued without a photo. If you choose to include one, bring a color or black-and-white photo that meets standard passport photo dimensions (2 by 2 inches). AAA can sometimes take a photo on-site for an additional fee if you do not have one.

How Long the Process Takes and What It Costs

The entire process takes about 15 minutes if you visit in person. AAA issues the permit the same day you explore. You walk out with your IDP in hand.

The cost is $15 for a one-year permit or $20 for a three-year permit. These are the standard AAA fees, though some locations may charge slightly different amounts. Call your local AAA office to confirm the exact price before you visit.

If you choose to have a photo added to your IDP, AAA may charge an additional fee — typically $5 to $10 — if they take the photo for you. If you bring your own photo, there is usually no extra charge.

Choosing Between a One-Year and Three-Year Permit

A one-year permit costs less and is useful if you plan to drive internationally only once or twice in the next year. A three-year permit costs more upfront but spreads the cost across multiple trips and is useful if you travel internationally regularly or are unsure how often you will need to drive abroad.

Both permits are valid only while your Florida driver's license is valid. If your license expires before your IDP does, the IDP becomes invalid even if it has time remaining. When you renew your Florida license, you will need to obtain a new IDP if you still need one.

Consider how long you plan to keep your current Florida license and how often you expect to drive internationally. If you are moving out of state within two years, a one-year permit may be the better choice. If you plan to stay in Florida and travel internationally several times, the three-year permit usually offers better value.

What Happens When You Travel With Your IDP

Always carry both your Florida driver's license and your IDP together. The IDP is not valid without your license present. Police, rental car companies, and border officials will ask to see both documents.

The IDP translates your license information into ten languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, and Polish. It does not grant you any driving rights you do not already have. It straightforward makes it easier for foreign authorities to understand that you are a licensed driver in the United States.

Some countries have additional requirements beyond an IDP — for example, an International Certificate of Motor Vehicle Registration or a Carnet de Passage. Before you travel, contact the embassy of your destination country or your rental car company to learn what documents you will need.

Renewing or Replacing Your IDP

If your one-year or three-year permit expires while you are still in Florida and still have a valid Florida license, you can obtain a new one by returning to AAA with your license. The process is the same as your first process.

If your IDP is lost, stolen, or damaged, visit AAA with your Florida license and request a replacement. AAA can usually issue a replacement the same day. You will pay the same fee as a new permit (either $15 or $20, depending on whether you want a one-year or three-year replacement).

If your Florida license expires or is suspended, your IDP automatically becomes invalid. You cannot renew just the IDP — you must first renew or restore your Florida license through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, then obtain a new IDP from AAA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an International Driving Permit by mail?

Most AAA locations require you to explore in person so they can verify your Florida license and issue the permit the same day. Some larger AAA offices may offer mail service, but this is not standard. Call your local AAA office to ask whether they will mail you an process or process one by mail.

Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Canada or Mexico?

Canada and Mexico both recognize a valid U.S. driver's license without an IDP. However, some rental car companies require an IDP as a company policy, even though the country does not legally require one. Contact your rental car company before you travel to confirm what they will accept.

What if my Florida license is suspended or expired?

AAA will not issue an IDP without a valid, current Florida driver's license. If your license is suspended, expired, or revoked, you must restore or renew it through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles before you can obtain an IDP.

Is an International Driving Permit the same as an International License?

No. An International Driving Permit is a translation document that works alongside your Florida license. An "International License" is not a real document — it is a term sometimes used by scam websites that claim to issue licenses valid in multiple countries. Only AAA issues legitimate IDPs in Florida.

Can I use my International Driving Permit to drive in Florida?

No. An IDP is only valid outside the United States when carried with your Florida driver's license. It has no legal standing in Florida or any U.S. state. To drive in Florida, you need only your Florida license.