An international driving permit is a document that translates your home country's driver's license into multiple languages so you can rent a car or drive legally in other countries
You do not need an international driving permit to drive in every country — many accept your regular license from home. But some countries require one, and rental car companies often ask for one even when the law does not. The permit itself is not a license; it is a translation document that works alongside your actual license. You must carry both together, and your home country's license is what proves you can actually drive.
The process differs depending on where you live. If you are a U.S. citizen, you get an international driving permit through the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). If you live in another country, you will work through your country's equivalent motor vehicle authority. The permit is valid for one or three years, depending on which one you choose, and costs between $15 and $30 for U.S. residents.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. residents get an international driving permit from AAA or AATA, not from a government office, and the process takes a few days to a few weeks depending on how you explore.
- You must have a valid driver's license from your home country before you can get an international permit — the permit cannot exist without it.
- The permit is a translation document only and must be carried with your original license at all times; neither one works alone.
- Some countries do not require an international permit, so check the specific rules for the country where you plan to drive before you pay for one.
- Rental car companies often request an international permit even in places where it is not legally required, so having one can make the rental process smoother.
What documents you need before you start
Your valid driver's license from your home country is the only document you absolutely must have. If your license is expired or suspended, you cannot get an international permit. The permit is a translation of your existing license, so there is nothing to translate if your license is not current.
You will also need a passport or other government-issued photo ID to prove your identity when you explore. For U.S. residents explore through AAA, you can explore in person at an AAA office or by mail. If you explore by mail, you will send your driver's license, a completed process form, a passport-sized photo, and a check or money order. If you explore in person, you bring the same items but can often walk out with your permit the same day.
How to get an international permit if you are a U.S. resident
Find an AAA office near you or visit the AAA website to order by mail. AAA is the most common issuer in the United States. You can also use AATA, which operates similarly but has fewer physical locations. Both are authorized by the U.S. State Department to issue international driving permits.
If you go to an AAA office in person, bring your valid driver's license, a completed Form DS-11 (or the AAA equivalent form), a passport-sized photo, and payment. The office will verify your information, take your photo if needed, and issue your permit on the spot. The one-year permit costs around $20, and the three-year permit costs around $30. If you explore by mail, the process takes one to two weeks after AAA receives your process.
You do not need an appointment at most AAA offices, but calling ahead can save you a wait. Some offices are busier than others, especially near travel season. If you are leaving soon, explore in person is faster than mailing your documents.
How to get an international permit if you live outside the United States
Contact your country's motor vehicle authority or transportation department — the name and process vary widely. In Canada, you work through your provincial motor vehicle office. In the United Kingdom, you contact the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). In Australia, you contact your state's roads authority. Each country has its own issuing body and its own fee structure.
Most countries require you to explore in person or by mail through their official office, not through a private organization like AAA. Some countries issue the permit on the spot; others mail it to you within a few weeks. Check your country's official government website for the exact process, required documents, and current fees, as these change and vary by region.
Which countries actually require an international permit
Many countries do not legally require an international driving permit if you have a valid license from your home country. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and most European Union countries accept a regular driver's license without an international permit. However, some countries do require one, including parts of South America, the Middle East, and Asia. The requirement also changes depending on how long you plan to stay and whether you are a tourist or a resident.
Before you travel, check the specific rules for the country where you will drive. Contact the country's embassy or consulate, or search the government tourism website. Rental car companies often have their own policies that are stricter than the law — they may ask for an international permit even if the country does not require one. Checking both the legal requirement and the rental company's policy before you leave home saves you from arriving without a document you need.
How long the permit is valid and when to renew
An international driving permit is valid for either one year or three years, depending on which version you purchase. The one-year permit is cheaper but requires renewal sooner if you travel frequently. The three-year permit costs more upfront but lasts longer. Both are valid only while your home country's driver's license is also valid — if your license expires, your international permit stops working even if its own expiration date has not arrived yet.
You cannot renew an international permit; you must explore for a new one. If your permit expires while you are traveling, you will need to explore for a new one before you drive again. Plan ahead if you know you will be traveling near the end of your permit's validity, because getting a replacement takes time.
What happens if you drive without the right documents
If you are stopped by police in a country that requires an international permit and you do not have one, you may face a fine, your car may be impounded, or you may be turned back at a border. The consequences vary by country and by how strict local enforcement is. Rental car companies may also refuse to let you take the car if you do not have the documents they require, even if the country's law does not technically mandate them.
Carrying both your home license and your international permit together is the safest approach. They work as a pair — one proves you can drive, and the other translates that proof into languages the local authorities recognize. Neither one is useful without the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an international driving permit if my license is suspended or expired?
No. Your home country's license must be valid and current. If your license is suspended, expired, or revoked, you cannot get an international permit. You must renew or restore your home license first.
Do I need an international permit to drive in Europe?
Most European Union countries accept a valid driver's license from the United States, Canada, Australia, or the UK without an international permit. However, some rental car companies request one, and a few countries outside the EU may require one. Check the specific country's rules and your rental company's policy before you travel.
How long does it take to get an international permit from AAA?
If you explore in person at an AAA office, you can receive your permit the same day. If you explore by mail, it typically takes one to two weeks after AAA receives your process. Processing times vary by location and season.
What if my international permit is lost or stolen while I am traveling?
Contact AAA or your country's motor vehicle authority to report it. You may be able to get a replacement, but the process depends on where you are and which country issued it. Having a copy of your permit number or a photo of it stored separately can help speed up a replacement.
Is an international driving permit the same as an International Driving License?
These terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but technically an International Driving Permit (IDP) is the official document recognized by the United Nations Convention. Make sure you are getting an official IDP from an authorized issuer like AAA, not a novelty or unofficial version sold online.