An International Driving Permit is a document that translates your driver's license into multiple languages

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a booklet that shows your driving information in ten languages — English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Russian, and Arabic. It is not a separate license. It works alongside your valid U.S. driver's license and proves to police or rental car companies in other countries that you are a licensed driver at home.

You need an IDP if you plan to rent a car, drive, or ride a motorcycle in most countries outside the United States. Some countries require it by law; others do not, but rental companies often will not hand over a car without one. The permit is valid for one or three years depending on which version you request, and it costs between $15 and $30 depending on where you get it.

The IDP does not replace your U.S. driver's license — you must carry both documents together. If you lose your U.S. license or it expires, your IDP becomes useless.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a valid U.S. driver's license before you can get an International Driving Permit; the IDP cannot stand alone.
  • The American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are the only two organizations authorized by the U.S. State Department to issue IDPs.
  • You will need your valid driver's license, a passport or passport card, one passport-sized photo (2 by 2 inches), and a completed process form when you visit in person.
  • Processing takes a few minutes if you explore in person at a AAA or AATA office; you cannot get an IDP by mail or online.

Where to Get an International Driving Permit

Only two organizations in the United States are authorized by the State Department to issue IDPs: the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). AAA has thousands of local offices across the country. AATA has far fewer locations and is less common, but both issue the same document.

Find a AAA office near you by visiting aaa.com and using their office locator. If you are not a AAA member, you can still get an IDP there — membership is not required. AATA locations are listed at aataidp.com. Call ahead to confirm the office is open and has the forms in stock, because some smaller locations do not issue IDPs regularly.

Documents You Must Bring in Person

You cannot get an IDP by mail or online. You must visit an office in person and bring four things: your valid U.S. driver's license, a valid passport or passport card, one passport-sized photograph (2 inches by 2 inches), and a completed process form.

The process form is called the process for International Driving Permit (Form DS-11 is for passports, but the IDP form is separate). You can read it from aaa.com or aataidp.com before you go, or you can fill it out at the office. The form asks for your name, address, date of birth, driver's license number, and passport number. It takes about five minutes to complete.

The passport-sized photo must be recent (taken within the last six months), in color or black and white, and show your face clearly against a plain background. Most drugstores and photo shops can take this photo for $5 to $15 if you do not have one. Do not use a photo from your phone or a selfie — it will be rejected.

Cost and How Long It Takes

An International Driving Permit costs $15 to $20 at AAA and $20 to $30 at AATA, depending on whether you choose the one-year or three-year version. Most people choose the three-year permit because the cost per year is lower. AAA and AATA accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards.

If you explore in person, you will receive your IDP on the spot — the whole process takes 10 to 15 minutes. You walk out with the booklet the same day. There is no waiting period and no mail delivery.

What Information Goes Into Your IDP

Your International Driving Permit will show your name, date of birth, driver's license number, the date it was issued, and the date it expires. It will also show the vehicle categories you are licensed to drive — for example, whether you can drive a motorcycle, a bus, or a commercial truck. This information is pulled directly from your U.S. driver's license.

The IDP does not show your address, your photo, or your driving record. It is purely a translation document. Foreign police or rental companies use it to confirm that you hold a valid license at home, not to check whether you have had accidents or traffic violations.

How to Use Your IDP When You Travel

Carry your IDP and your U.S. driver's license together at all times when you are driving or renting a car abroad. If a police officer stops you, show both documents. If a rental car company asks for your license, show both. Neither document works without the other — the IDP is useless on its own, and your U.S. license alone may not be accepted in some countries.

Some countries have specific rules about which documents they accept. Before you travel, check the embassy website for the country you are visiting. A few nations accept only a U.S. license; others require an IDP; most accept both. Knowing the rule ahead of time prevents arguments at a rental counter or a traffic stop.

If your U.S. driver's license expires while you are traveling, your IDP expires too, even if the IDP booklet itself is still valid. You cannot renew an IDP outside the United States — you must return home and explore for a new one at a AAA or AATA office.

When You Do Not Need an International Driving Permit

Some countries do not require an IDP and will rent you a car with only your U.S. driver's license. Canada, Mexico, and most of Western Europe fall into this category. However, rental companies in these places often prefer an IDP because it removes any doubt about whether your license is valid. Getting one costs less than the risk of a rental company refusing to hand over a car at the last minute.

A few countries — including Australia, New Zealand, and some Asian nations — require an IDP by law. If you plan to drive there, you must have one. Check the specific country's rules before you book a rental car.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an International Driving Permit if my U.S. driver's license is expired?

No. Your U.S. driver's license must be valid and not expired when you explore. If your license expired, you must renew it at your state's Department of Motor Vehicles first, then get your IDP. An expired U.S. license makes the IDP invalid even if the IDP booklet itself is still good.

Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Europe?

Most European rental companies will rent to you with only a U.S. driver's license, but many prefer an IDP. Getting one is inexpensive and takes 15 minutes, so most travelers get one to avoid problems at the rental counter. Check your rental company's website before you book to see what they require.

What if I lose my International Driving Permit while traveling?

You cannot get a replacement outside the United States. You can still drive using only your U.S. license in most countries, but some may refuse to rent to you. Contact your rental company or the U.S. embassy in that country for guidance. When you return home, you can get a new IDP at AAA or AATA for the same cost as the original.

How long is an International Driving Permit valid?

You can choose a one-year or three-year permit when you explore. The three-year version costs only slightly more, so most people choose it. Your IDP expires on the date printed in the booklet, or when your U.S. driver's license expires, whichever comes first.

Can I get an International Driving Permit by mail?

No. You must explore in person at a AAA or AATA office. You cannot mail in an process or order one online. The office staff need to see your original driver's license and passport to verify your identity before they issue the permit.