An International Driving Permit is a real document, but it is not a replacement for your regular driver's license

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a legitimate document issued by your home country's motor vehicle authority. It translates your driver's license into ten languages and confirms to foreign police that you hold a valid license at home. However, it does not give you any driving rights you do not already have — it is purely a translation tool.

The confusion happens because the IDP sounds like a separate license. It is not. You must carry both your regular driver's license and the IDP together. If you are stopped by police in another country and cannot produce your home license, the IDP alone will not help you. Many countries do not recognize the IDP at all, and some car rental companies will refuse to rent to you if you only show an IDP without your actual license.

The IDP is issued by the American Automobile Association (AAA) in the United States, by the Canadian Automobile Association in Canada, and by equivalent motor clubs in other countries. You explore in person, bring your valid driver's license and a passport photo, pay a fee (typically $20 to $30 in the US), and receive the permit on the spot or by mail within days. The permit is valid for one or three years depending on which you purchase.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit is a real, government-recognized translation of your home driver's license into multiple languages.
  • You must carry your actual driver's license and the IDP together — the IDP alone is not a valid driving document.
  • Not all countries recognize or require the IDP, so check the rules for your specific destination before purchasing one.
  • The IDP is issued by your country's motor club (AAA in the US) and costs $20 to $30 for a one-year permit.
  • Car rental companies often require both your home license and an IDP, so having one can prevent problems at the rental counter.

When you actually need an IDP and when you do not

Whether you need an IDP depends entirely on where you are driving. The United Nations Convention on Road Signs and Signals, signed by most countries, recognizes the IDP as a valid supporting document. However, many countries have their own rules about what they will accept from foreign drivers.

European Union countries generally accept your home license alone if it is in good condition and you carry your passport. Australia, New Zealand, and most English-speaking countries do the same. However, some countries — including parts of South America, Asia, and the Middle East — either require an IDP or make it much easier for police to verify your license if you have one. If you are renting a car, the rental company's rules matter more than the country's law. Most major rental chains require an IDP if your home license is not in English or if you are under 25.

The safest approach is to check both the country's official driving rules (usually found on the embassy website) and your rental company's requirements before you travel. If either one mentions the IDP, get one. If neither does, you can skip it, though having one costs little and creates no harm.

How to get an International Driving Permit in the United States

In the US, the AAA is the only organization authorized to issue IDPs. You do not need to be an AAA member to purchase one, though members sometimes receive a small discount. You can explore in person at any AAA office or by mail.

To explore, you will need your valid driver's license, a passport-sized photo (2 by 2 inches), and the process form. The AAA website has the form available to read and print, or you can fill it out in the office. Bring cash or a card — most offices accept both. A one-year IDP costs around $20, and a three-year IDP costs around $30. If you explore in person, you receive the permit when ready. If you explore by mail, it arrives within one to two weeks.

Do not buy an IDP from any other source. Websites that claim to issue IDPs without requiring you to visit an office or mail in documents are scams. The only legitimate IDP comes from AAA or, in other countries, from the equivalent motor authority.

What an IDP actually does and does not do

The IDP translates the information on your driver's license into English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Swedish, and Turkish. It includes your name, date of birth, license number, and the categories of vehicles you are licensed to drive. A police officer who does not speak your language can read the IDP and understand what your license says.

The IDP does not expand your driving rights. If your home license allows you to drive a car but not a motorcycle, the IDP will not let you rent a motorcycle in another country. If your license is suspended or expired, the IDP is worthless. If you are too young to drive in the country you are visiting, the IDP does not override that country's age rules.

The IDP also does not replace your home license for any purpose. You cannot use it alone to rent a car, pass through a police checkpoint, or prove you are a licensed driver. It is a companion document only.

Red flags that separate real IDPs from scams

Scam websites often promise to issue an IDP without an office visit, without a photo, or without your actual driver's license. They may claim the process takes five minutes or that you can do it entirely online. None of this is true. A legitimate IDP requires you to prove you hold a valid home license, and that proof must come from an official source.

Real IDPs are issued only by AAA in the US, by the Canadian Automobile Association in Canada, and by government motor authorities in other countries. If a website does not clearly state which organization is issuing the permit, it is a scam. If it asks you to pay by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift card, it is a scam. If it promises to deliver the permit by email as a PDF, it is a scam — the IDP is a physical booklet that must be mailed or handed to you in person.

The cost of a legitimate IDP is low and fixed. In the US, AAA charges around $20 to $30. If a website quotes a much higher price or asks for payment before you see the form, walk away.

What to do if you lose your IDP while traveling

If your IDP is lost or stolen, you still have your home driver's license, which is the document that actually matters. Your license alone is usually enough to rent a car or drive in most countries. If a police officer stops you and asks for an IDP, explain that you lost it and show your home license instead. Most officers will accept this.

If you are renting a car and the company refuses to rent without an IDP, you have a few options. You can ask the company if they will accept a photocopy of your IDP (if you have one) or a letter from AAA confirming you hold a valid permit. Some companies will. You can also contact AAA to see if they can issue a replacement quickly — if you are still in the US, they may be able to mail one to your hotel. If you are already abroad, you will likely need to wait until you return home to get a replacement.

International Driving Permits in other countries

Every country that recognizes the IDP issues it through its own motor authority or automobile club. In Canada, the Canadian Automobile Association issues it. In the UK, the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) issues it. In Australia, each state's transport authority issues it. The process and cost vary by country, but the document itself is the same — a booklet that translates your home license.

If you hold a driver's license from a country outside the US or Canada, check your country's motor authority website to find out how to obtain an IDP before you travel. Some countries issue them for free, others charge a small fee. Some require an in-person visit, others allow mail-in applications. Having this information before you book your trip prevents problems at the rental counter or at a police checkpoint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in another country with just an International Driving Permit and no home license?

No. The IDP is only valid when carried together with your actual home driver's license. If you are stopped by police or pulled over at a rental counter and cannot show your home license, the IDP alone will not help you. You must have both documents.

Is an International Driving Permit the same as an international license?

No. An international license does not exist. The IDP is a translation document, not a license. Your home country's driver's license is your actual license. The IDP straightforward translates it into other languages so foreign officials can read it.

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

Most European Union countries accept your home driver's license alone if it is valid and you carry your passport. However, some rental companies require an IDP, and a few countries outside the EU (like Russia or Turkey) may prefer one. Check your rental company's rules and your destination country's official requirements before you travel.

How long is an International Driving Permit valid?

In the US, you can purchase a one-year IDP for around $20 or a three-year IDP for around $30. The permit is valid for the period you purchase, but it is only useful while your home driver's license is also valid. If your home license expires, the IDP expires too.

What should I do if a website offers to issue me an International Driving Permit online?

Do not use it. Legitimate IDPs are issued only by AAA (in the US) or equivalent motor authorities in other countries, and they require an in-person visit or a mailed process with your actual driver's license and a photo. Any website that claims to issue an IDP online without these steps is a scam.