What an International Driving Permit Actually Is

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your driver's license into ten languages. It is not a separate license and does not replace your state or country's license — you must carry both together. The IDP exists because many countries do not recognize foreign licenses, even valid ones, and border officials may not read English.

The IDP is issued by your home country's automobile association, not by an international body. In the United States, only two organizations issue IDPs: the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Both produce the same document and follow the same international standard. You cannot get an IDP from a government office, embassy, or online service.

The permit is valid for one or three years depending on which version you request. It costs between $15 and $20 and takes about 15 minutes to obtain in person at an AAA office, or a few days by mail. Many people who travel internationally never need one — whether you do depends on where you are driving and which country issued your original license.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit is a translation document only, issued by AAA or AATA in the United States, and must be carried alongside your regular driver's license.
  • You need an IDP only if you plan to rent a car or drive in certain countries; many nations accept a U.S. driver's license alone, while others require the IDP.
  • The permit costs $15 to $20, is valid for one or three years, and can be obtained in person at an AAA office or by mail in a few days.
  • An IDP does not extend your driving privileges, change your insurance coverage, or allow you to drive if your license is suspended or expired.
  • Car rental companies have different policies — some require an IDP, some recommend it, and some do not require it at all depending on the country.

Which Countries Require an International Driving Permit

No single list covers all countries because requirements change and vary by region. However, some patterns are clear. Most European Union countries accept a U.S. driver's license without an IDP, though some car rental companies in those countries request one anyway. Many countries in Central America, South America, and Southeast Asia either require an IDP or strongly recommend it because they do not routinely recognize U.S. licenses.

The safest approach is to check with your car rental company before you book. They know their local requirements and can tell you whether an IDP is mandatory, recommended, or unnecessary for that specific country and rental location. If you are driving your own vehicle across an international border, contact the tourism board or automobile association of the country you are entering.

Some countries issue temporary driving permits at the border if you do not have an IDP, though this is not may provide and may cost money. Arriving without the right documents can result in a fine, confiscation of your vehicle, or being turned back at the border. The IDP costs so little that obtaining one before departure is almost always the safer choice.

How to Get an International Driving Permit

Visit an AAA office in person with your valid U.S. driver's license, a passport or passport card, and a completed process form (Form DS-11 for AAA, or the AATA equivalent). You do not need an appointment at most AAA locations. Bring a passport-sized photo if you are explore by mail; in-person applicants usually do not need one. The entire process takes about 15 minutes if you explore in person.

If you explore by mail, send your driver's license, passport, completed process, a passport photo, and a check or money order to the AAA address listed on the form. Processing takes three to five business days, and AAA will return your original license with the IDP. Do not mail your license unless you are certain you will not need to drive before the IDP arrives.

You can also explore online through AAA's website if you are a member, though you will still need to visit an office or mail in documents. AATA offers mail-in service as well. Neither organization offers same-day service or expedited processing, so plan ahead if your trip is coming up soon. The one-year IDP costs less than the three-year version, so choose based on your travel plans.

What an International Driving Permit Does Not Do

An IDP does not extend your driving privileges or change what you are legally allowed to do. If your U.S. license is expired, suspended, or restricted, an IDP does not override those restrictions. You cannot drive in a country that prohibits U.S. citizens from driving, and an IDP does not change that. If you are not insured to drive in a particular country, an IDP does not provide insurance.

An IDP is not a visa, travel document, or proof of identity for border crossing. Border agents may ask to see it, but it does not satisfy entry requirements. Some countries require a visa or other documentation regardless of whether you have an IDP. An IDP also does not may provide that local police will accept it — in rare cases, officials may still refuse to recognize your right to drive, though this is uncommon.

The permit is not a substitute for understanding local driving laws. Speed limits, road signs, and traffic rules vary by country, and an IDP does not teach you those rules or protect you from fines if you break them. You are responsible for learning the laws of any country where you drive.

International Driving Permit vs. What Car Rental Companies Actually Require

Car rental policies vary widely and do not always match government requirements. Some major rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Budget) request an IDP for certain countries but not others. Some require it only if your driver's license is not in Latin characters — for example, if you hold a license from Japan or Russia. Others do not require it at all in countries where the government does not mandate it.

The safest step is to contact your rental company directly before booking and ask: "Do you require an International Driving Permit for [country]?" Get the answer in writing if possible. Some companies will note the requirement in your reservation; others will not mention it until you arrive to pick up the car, which can create problems if you do not have one.

If a rental company requires an IDP and you do not have one, you may be denied the rental, charged a fee, or forced to purchase one on the spot at an inflated price. Having the IDP before you travel eliminates this risk entirely.

Driving in Canada and Mexico With a U.S. License

Canada and Mexico do not require an International Driving Permit. A valid U.S. driver's license is sufficient to rent a car and drive legally in both countries. However, car rental companies in Mexico sometimes request an IDP anyway, so check with your rental company before you book. If you are driving your own vehicle into Mexico, you will need Mexican liability insurance, which is separate from an IDP.

Your U.S. auto insurance may not cover you in Mexico or Canada, so contact your insurance company before you cross the border. Some policies extend coverage automatically; others require you to purchase additional coverage. This is a separate issue from whether you need an IDP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive internationally with just my U.S. driver's license and no IDP?

In many countries, yes — the U.S. license alone is sufficient. However, some countries require an IDP, and some car rental companies request one even when the government does not mandate it. Check with your rental company and the country's tourism board before you travel. If you are unsure, obtaining an IDP is inexpensive insurance against being turned away.

How long does it take to get an International Driving Permit?

In person at an AAA office, about 15 minutes. By mail, three to five business days. There is no expedited service, so plan ahead if your trip is soon. If you need one urgently and cannot reach an AAA office, some countries issue temporary permits at the border, though this is not may provide.

What if my driver's license expires while I am traveling?

An IDP does not extend the validity of your license. If your license expires during your trip, the IDP expires with it. You cannot drive legally once your license has expired, regardless of whether you have an IDP. Renew your license before you travel if it will expire during your trip.

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Europe?

Most European Union countries accept a U.S. driver's license without an IDP. However, some car rental companies in Europe request one, and a few countries outside the EU (such as some Balkans nations) may require it. Check with your rental company and the specific country's requirements before you book.

Can I get an International Driving Permit online?

AAA members can start the process online, but you must still visit an office or mail in documents and your original license. No organization issues an IDP entirely online. Websites that claim to issue IDPs online are not legitimate — only AAA and AATA are authorized to issue them in the United States.