You need an International Driving Permit only if you are renting a car or driving in a foreign country and that country's law requires one

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your home country driver's license into ten languages. It is not a separate license and does not replace your own country's license — you must carry both together. Whether you need one depends entirely on where you are driving and what you are doing there.

The short answer: if you are renting a car abroad, check the rental company's policy first. If you are driving your own car across a border, check the laws of the country you are entering. Many countries do not require an IDP at all. Some require one only if your home license is not in Latin characters (like Russian, Arabic, or Chinese). A few require one regardless. No single rule covers everywhere.

The IDP itself does not grant you permission to drive — it only explains what your home license says to a police officer or rental agent who cannot read your language. If your home license is suspended or invalid, an IDP will not help you.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit is a translation document, not a replacement license, and you must carry your home license with it at all times.
  • Most European countries do not require an IDP if your home license is in Latin characters and valid for the duration of your stay.
  • Car rental companies often require an IDP even when the country does not, so contact the rental company before you book.
  • If your home license uses non-Latin characters, many countries require an IDP or an official translation of your license.
  • The IDP is issued by your home country's automobile association or licensing authority and costs between $15 and $30 in the United States.

When rental car companies require an IDP

Most major car rental chains — Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and others — list an IDP as a requirement in their rental terms, even in countries where local law does not mandate one. This is a company policy, not a legal requirement. The rental company is protecting itself against disputes if you are stopped by police and cannot prove your license is valid.

Before you book a rental car, contact the specific rental location where you will pick up the vehicle. Call or email them directly and ask whether they require an IDP. Some locations enforce the policy strictly; others do not. A few rental companies will accept a certified translation of your license instead. Getting this in writing before you arrive saves you from showing up without the document and losing your reservation.

If the rental company requires an IDP and you do not have one, you will not be able to rent the car. There is no workaround at the counter — they will not issue you a vehicle without the documents they have stated are required.

Countries that require an IDP by law

A small number of countries require an IDP by law, regardless of your home license's character set. These include several countries in South America (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay), some in Asia (Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea), and a few others. If you are driving in any of these places, you need an IDP even if your home license is in English or another Latin-character language.

The safest approach is to assume you need one if you are renting a car or driving in an unfamiliar country. The IDP costs $15 to $30 and takes one to two weeks to obtain in the United States. The cost of being wrong — losing a rental reservation, being fined, or having your vehicle impounded — is far higher.

You can check the specific rules for your destination through the U.S. State Department's travel advisory pages for that country, which often list driving requirements. The International Association of Automobile Clubs also maintains a database by country, though it is not always current.

Non-Latin character licenses and translation requirements

If your home license is in Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or another non-Latin script, many countries require either an IDP or an official certified translation of your license. Some countries accept either one; others require the IDP specifically.

An official translation is different from an IDP. A translation is a document produced by a certified translator in your home country that converts your license text into the language of the country you are visiting. An IDP is a standardized ten-language document issued by your home country's automobile authority. Both serve the same purpose — proving your license is valid — but they are not the same thing.

If you hold a non-Latin license, contact the rental company and the embassy or consulate of your destination country before you travel. Ask which document they accept. Some will take either; some require the IDP specifically. Getting this answer in advance prevents confusion at the rental counter or at a traffic stop.

How to obtain an International Driving Permit in the United States

In the United States, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are the only two organizations authorized to issue IDPs. You cannot obtain one directly from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles.

To get an IDP from AAA, you need a valid U.S. driver's license, a passport or other government-issued photo ID, and a completed process form (available on the AAA website or at any AAA office). You must explore in person; you cannot mail in the process. The IDP costs $20 and is valid for one year from the date of issue. Processing takes one to two weeks if you order by mail, or you can receive it the same day if you visit an AAA office in person.

If you are not an AAA member, you can still obtain an IDP — membership is not required. However, AAA members sometimes receive a small discount. The AATA offers the same service at similar cost if you do not have access to an AAA office.

How long an IDP is valid and when to renew

An International Driving Permit issued in the United States is valid for one year from the date of issue. It expires on the same date regardless of when you actually use it. If you obtain an IDP in January and do not travel until December, it will expire before your trip.

Check the expiration date on your IDP before you travel. If it has expired, you will need to obtain a new one. Some rental companies and border officials will not accept an expired IDP, even if your home license is still valid.

If you travel frequently to different countries, you may want to obtain a new IDP each year before your first trip, rather than waiting until you have booked a specific rental. This ensures you always have a valid document on hand.

What happens if you drive without an IDP when one is required

If you are stopped by police in a country that requires an IDP and you do not have one, the consequences vary. In some places, you will receive a fine. In others, your vehicle may be impounded until you produce the document or pay a penalty. In a few countries, driving without required documents can result in arrest, though this is rare for tourists.

If you are renting a car and the rental company requires an IDP, driving without one violates your rental agreement. The company can charge you additional fees, refuse to rent to you again, or report the violation to your credit card company.

The safest course is to obtain an IDP before you travel if there is any possibility you will need one. The cost and time investment are minimal compared to the risk of being stopped without it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in Europe with just my U.S. driver's license?

Yes, in most European countries. Your U.S. license is valid for short-term visits (usually up to 12 months) in the EU and most other European nations. However, your rental car company may still require an IDP as a condition of the rental agreement, even though local law does not. Always check with the rental company before you book.

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

No. An IDP is a translation document only — it does not grant you any driving rights you do not already have. Your home country's license is the actual license. An IDP straightforward explains what your license says to someone who cannot read your language. You must carry both documents together.

What if my home country is not the United States — where do I get an IDP?

Contact your home country's automobile association or the government agency that issues driver's licenses. Each country has its own authorized issuer. For example, the UK issues IDPs through the DVLA, Canada through provincial motor vehicle offices, and Australia through state-based licensing authorities. The process and cost vary by country.

Do I need an IDP if I am only visiting and not renting a car?

No, not for driving purposes. If you are not driving at all, you do not need an IDP. If you are driving someone else's car with their permission, the rules depend on the country and the car's insurance policy — check with the car owner and their insurance company.

Can I use an expired IDP if my home license is still valid?

No. An expired IDP is not valid, even if your home license has not expired. Rental companies and police will not accept it. You must obtain a new one before you travel if your current IDP has expired.