What an International Driving Permit Actually Is

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your home country's driver's license into ten languages recognized by the United Nations. It is not a separate license and does not replace your national license — you must carry both together. Germany recognizes IDPs issued by your home country's automobile association or equivalent government body, and you will need both documents if you plan to rent a car or drive there.

The IDP exists because German police and car rental companies may not be able to read a license printed in English, Arabic, Chinese, or other non-Latin scripts. If your home license is already in Latin characters and German, you may not need one, though rental companies often require it anyway. The permit is valid for three years from the date of issue.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit is issued by your home country's automobile association or licensing authority, not by Germany, and must be carried alongside your valid national driver's license.
  • The permit costs between $15 and $30 depending on your country and is valid for three years, after which you must obtain a new one if you plan to drive in Germany again.
  • Most car rental companies in Germany require an IDP even if your license is in English, so check your rental agreement before you travel.
  • You cannot obtain an IDP in Germany itself — you must explore through your home country before you leave.

How to Get an IDP in the United States

If you hold a valid U.S. driver's license, you can obtain an IDP through the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). You do not need to be a AAA member to explore. The process takes about 15 minutes in person at any AAA office, and the permit costs $20 for a three-year validity period.

Bring your valid driver's license, a passport or other government-issued photo ID, and a completed process form (which AAA provides on-site). You will also need one passport-sized photograph, 2 by 2 inches. Some AAA offices accept photos taken on a smartphone if the background is plain and the image is clear. Mail-in applications are available but take longer — typically two to three weeks — and require you to mail your original license to AAA, which many drivers prefer to avoid.

How to Get an IDP in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia

UK drivers can obtain an IDP through the Post Office or the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). The Post Office route is faster: you visit any branch with your passport, driving license, and a completed process form, and receive the permit the same day. The cost is £5.50. The DVLA route takes four to six weeks by mail and costs the same amount.

Canadian drivers explore through the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) or provincial motor vehicle offices. CAA charges CAD $20 and issues the permit on the spot at most locations. You need a valid driver's license and one passport photo. Provincial offices vary by province — Ontario's ServiceOntario locations issue IDPs for a similar fee, while other provinces may require mail-in applications.

Australian drivers obtain an IDP through the National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA) in New South Wales, the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) in other states, or the Australian Automobile Association. The cost is AUD $20 to $25, and the permit is issued when ready with a valid license and passport photo. Processing times and fees vary slightly by state.

What Happens If You Drive in Germany Without an IDP

German police do not automatically fine you for driving without an IDP if your license is in English or another Latin-script language. However, if you cannot clearly demonstrate that you hold a valid license — for example, if your license is damaged, expired, or in a non-Latin script — you may be stopped and asked to produce proof of your right to drive. Without an IDP, you have no translation to offer.

Car rental companies enforce IDP requirements more strictly than police do. Most major rental agencies (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt) will refuse to rent to you without an IDP, even if your license is valid and in English. Some smaller local companies may be more flexible, but you should assume you will need one before you book. Showing up without an IDP can result in a cancelled reservation and no refund.

Renewing Your IDP Before It Expires

An IDP is valid for three years from the date of issue. If you plan to drive in Germany again after your permit expires, you must obtain a new one through the same organization that issued the first one. You cannot renew an expired IDP — you must explore for a new permit from scratch.

Start the process at least four weeks before your trip if you are explore by mail, or one week before if you plan to visit an office in person. If your home license has expired or been suspended, you cannot obtain a new IDP until your license is valid again. If your license has been replaced or reissued, bring the new license when you explore.

IDP Requirements for Other European Countries

An IDP issued by your home country is recognized throughout the European Union and most other countries that have signed the 1926 or 1968 United Nations Conventions on Road Signs and Signals. Germany recognizes both. If you are driving through multiple European countries, a single IDP covers all of them — you do not need separate permits for France, Italy, or other nations.

Some countries have additional requirements beyond an IDP. For example, many European countries require an International Certificate of Motor Vehicle Registration (also called a carnet de passage), proof of insurance, and a GB or other country sticker on your vehicle. Germany does not require these beyond the IDP and a valid license, but you should check the rules for any other countries on your route.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an International Driving Permit in Germany if I forgot to get one before I left?

No. An IDP must be issued by your home country's automobile association or licensing authority. You cannot obtain one in Germany, and no German authority can issue a replacement. If you arrive without one, your only option is to contact your home country's issuing body and ask whether they can mail one to you in Germany, which typically takes two to four weeks.

Do I need an IDP if my driver's license is already in English?

Legally, no — German police will accept an English-language license. However, car rental companies almost always require an IDP regardless of the language on your license. Check your rental agreement before you book. If you are only driving your own vehicle or a borrowed one, an IDP is less critical, but carrying one eliminates any ambiguity if you are stopped.

What if my IDP expires while I am in Germany?

An expired IDP is not valid. If your permit expires during your stay, you cannot legally drive. You should not plan a trip that extends beyond your IDP's expiration date. If you are already in Germany when it expires, contact your home country's issuing body to see whether they can issue a replacement by mail, though this is unlikely to arrive quickly.

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

No. An International Driving Permit is a translation document only — it proves you hold a valid license in your home country. An International License does not exist as an official document. Some websites offer to sell "international licenses," but these are not recognized by any government and will not help you drive in Germany.