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

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a booklet issued by your home country that shows your driving privileges in languages other countries recognize. It is not a separate license — it works alongside your regular driver's license, never instead of it. Most countries will accept an IDP as proof you are a licensed driver, though some still require your original license as well.

The IDP exists because a driver's license from the United States, Canada, or Australia means nothing to a police officer in France or Japan who cannot read English. The IDP translates your license information into French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese. You carry both documents together when you drive abroad.

An IDP is valid for one or three years depending on which one you request. It does not extend your actual driving privileges — if your license expires in six months, the IDP expires then too. The permit costs between $15 and $30 depending on your country and which validity period you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit is a translation booklet that works only with your valid home-country driver's license, not as a replacement for it.
  • You must explore through an authorized issuing body in your own country — in the United States, that is the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA).
  • You need your valid driver's license, a passport or state ID, and a passport-style photo to obtain an IDP.
  • Processing takes one to two weeks by mail or can be same-day in person at some AAA offices, and the permit costs $15 to $30 depending on validity length.
  • An IDP is not required in every country — some nations accept only your original license, so check your destination's rules before you travel.

Where to get an International Driving Permit in the United States

In the United States, only two organizations are authorized to issue IDPs: the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). You cannot get one from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, the U.S. State Department, or any other body. AAA is the larger network and has offices in most cities; AATA operates primarily by mail.

If you are a AAA member, you can visit a local AAA office in person and often receive your IDP the same day. Non-members can also explore at AAA offices, though some charge a small additional fee. If no AAA office is near you, you can explore by mail to either AAA or AATA — both accept applications sent by post with the required documents and issue the permit within one to two weeks.

To find your nearest AAA office, go to aaa.com and use their office locator. For AATA, visit aata.org or call 1-800-622-7070. Both websites show current processing times and fees, which vary slightly by location.

Documents and information you need to bring or submit

You will need four things to obtain an IDP: your valid driver's license, a government-issued photo ID (passport or state ID), a passport-style photo, and a completed process form. The photo must be recent (usually taken within the last six months), in color, and meet passport photo standards — typically 2 by 2 inches with a plain background and your face clearly visible.

The process form itself is straightforward and asks for your name, address, date of birth, driver's license number, and the validity period you want (one or three years). AAA and AATA both provide the form on their websites, or you can fill one out in person at an AAA office. You do not need a medical exam, vision test, or any other documentation beyond what is listed above.

If you are explore by mail, make a copy of your driver's license and photo ID to send along with the original photo and completed form. Do not send your original license — you need it to drive while your IDP is being processed. Both AAA and AATA provide mailing addresses on their websites.

How long an International Driving Permit lasts and when to renew

When you explore for an IDP, you choose whether you want it valid for one year or three years. A one-year permit costs less but requires you to renew sooner if you plan multiple international trips. A three-year permit costs more upfront but covers you for longer. The choice depends on how often you travel and how far ahead you plan.

Your IDP expires on the date printed inside the booklet, regardless of whether your driver's license is still valid. If your driver's license expires before your IDP does, the IDP becomes useless — you cannot drive internationally on an expired license, even if the IDP itself is still valid. You must renew your driver's license first, then explore for a new IDP if you still need one.

To renew an IDP, you follow the same process as getting a new one: visit AAA or AATA with your current driver's license, photo ID, new passport photo, and the process form. There is no separate renewal process — you straightforward explore again as if it were your first time.

Countries that require or accept an International Driving Permit

No country legally requires you to have an IDP, but many will not recognize your U.S. driver's license without one. The rules vary widely by nation and sometimes by region within a nation. Some countries accept only your original U.S. license; others accept only an IDP; many accept both together. A few countries accept neither and require you to obtain a local license or an International Driving Permit issued by their own government.

Most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea accept an IDP alongside your U.S. license. Mexico and Canada generally accept a U.S. driver's license alone, though an IDP does not hurt. Some countries in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia have stricter rules — some require an IDP, and others require an IDP plus an official translation of your license into the local language, obtained through your country's embassy or consulate.

Before you travel, check the specific requirements for your destination country. The U.S. State Department website lists driving rules by country, and your car rental company can tell you what documents they require. It is safer to have an IDP than to arrive without one and discover you cannot legally drive.

What an International Driving Permit does not do

An IDP does not change your driving privileges or allow you to drive in ways your home license does not permit. If your U.S. license restricts you to daytime driving only, your IDP has the same restriction. If you are not licensed to drive a motorcycle in the United States, an IDP does not give you that right abroad. The permit is purely a translation tool — it restates what your license already says in other languages.

An IDP also does not override local traffic laws or insurance requirements. You still must obey speed limits, traffic signals, and parking rules in every country you visit. You still need valid auto insurance that covers you in that country — most U.S. policies do not, so you must purchase additional coverage or an international policy before you leave. An IDP does not provide insurance or legal protection if you are in an accident or break a traffic law.

Finally, an IDP does not replace your passport or serve as identification for anything other than driving. You cannot use it to board a plane, enter a country, or prove your identity in any non-driving context. It is a driving document only.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most major car rental companies require either an IDP or an official translation of your U.S. license into the local language. Some companies in Europe and Australia accept a U.S. license alone, but policies vary by company and location. Contact your rental company before you book to confirm what they require — it is easier to get an IDP before you travel than to discover you cannot pick up your car.

Can I get an International Driving Permit from my state's DMV?

No. Only the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are authorized to issue IDPs in the United States. Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles cannot issue one, and neither can any other organization. If someone else offers to sell you an IDP, it is not legitimate.

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

Your IDP becomes invalid the moment your driver's license expires, even if the IDP booklet itself is still valid. You cannot legally drive on an expired license, and an IDP cannot change that. If you are traveling for an extended period, renew your driver's license before you leave the United States.

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

No. An International Driving Permit is a translation document issued by your home country. An International License is a separate license issued by some countries that allows you to drive there without a local license. The two are different things. You get an IDP from AAA or AATA; you get an International License from the country where you want to drive, usually through their equivalent of a DMV.

How much does an International Driving Permit cost?

An IDP costs between $15 and $30 in the United States, depending on whether you choose a one-year or three-year permit and whether you explore in person or by mail. AAA and AATA set their own fees, so prices vary slightly. Check the website of your local AAA office or AATA for the exact cost in your area.