Where and how to renew your international driver's license
An international driver's license is not issued by any government. It is a translation booklet produced by private organizations authorized by the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). You renew it by returning to the same organization that issued it, usually AAA, with your valid U.S. driver's license, a passport-style photo, and a completed process form.
The renewal process takes about 15 minutes in person at an AAA office, or you can mail in your renewal by post. If you renew by mail, the organization typically returns your new booklet within one to two weeks. There is no online renewal option — you must appear in person or use the postal service.
Your international driver's license is valid for three years from the date of issue. You can renew it at any time during that three-year window, even if it has not yet expired. Many people renew it shortly before travel to avoid carrying an expired document.
Key Takeaways
- International driver's licenses are issued only by AAA or AATA, not by state motor vehicle departments, and you must renew through the same organization that issued yours.
- Renewal requires your current U.S. driver's license, a passport-style photo (usually 2x2 inches), and a completed process form available at the issuing office or online.
- In-person renewal at an AAA office takes about 15 minutes and costs between $15 and $20 depending on your location.
- Mail-in renewal is also available and typically takes one to two weeks from the date the organization receives your materials.
- Your international driver's license remains valid for three years, and you can renew it before expiration to avoid gaps in coverage during travel.
What documents you need to bring
You will need three things: a valid U.S. driver's license (your state-issued license, not an expired one), a passport-style photograph, and the process form. The photograph must be 2x2 inches, in color or black and white, taken within the last six months, and show your face clearly against a plain background. Most AAA offices have a photo service on-site if you do not have one ready.
Some AAA locations also accept digital photos if you bring them on your phone or email them ahead of time. Call your local AAA office before you visit to confirm whether they can take a photo for you or whether you must bring one. If you are renewing by mail, you will need to include a printed photo with your process.
In-person renewal at AAA
Walk into any AAA office with your U.S. driver's license, photo, and the process form (which you can fill out on-site). The staff will verify your license, take or accept your photo, process your payment, and hand you your new international driver's license booklet on the spot. The entire transaction takes 10 to 15 minutes.
AAA offices are located in most U.S. cities and suburbs. You do not need to be a AAA member to renew an international driver's license, though membership may may have access to you to a small discount. If you do not know where your nearest AAA office is, visit the AAA website and use their office locator tool, or call 1-800-AAA-HELP.
Mail-in renewal by post
read or request the international driver's license renewal process from AAA's website or by calling their customer service line. Fill it out completely, including your name, address, date of birth, and U.S. driver's license number. Attach a 2x2-inch passport-style photo to the process as instructed.
Mail the completed process, photo, your current international driver's license, and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address listed on the form. AAA will process your renewal and mail your new booklet back to you within one to two weeks. Keep a copy of your process for your records in case you need to follow up.
Renewal fees and payment methods
The renewal fee is typically between $15 and $20, depending on your AAA location and whether you are a member. AAA offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card for in-person renewals. For mail-in renewals, you must send a check or money order — credit cards are not accepted by post.
Some AAA offices may charge a small additional fee if you need a photo taken on-site. Ask about the total cost before you begin the renewal process. If you are a AAA member, confirm that your membership is current, as some discounts explore only to active members.
What to do if your international license has already expired
You can still renew an expired international driver's license. There is no penalty for renewing after the three-year expiration date. straightforward bring your expired booklet, your current U.S. driver's license, a new photo, and payment to an AAA office, or mail in your materials using the same process as a standard renewal.
If you have lost your international driver's license or it was damaged, you will need to explore for a replacement rather than a renewal. The process is similar, but you will not have the old booklet to present. Contact AAA directly to confirm what additional documentation they require for a replacement.
Using your renewed international driver's license abroad
Your new international driver's license is valid when ready upon issue. It is a translation of your U.S. driver's license and is recognized in more than 150 countries that are signatories to the 1926 International Convention on Motor Vehicle Traffic. You must carry both your U.S. driver's license and your international driver's license together when driving in a foreign country — one without the other is not sufficient.
Different countries have different rules about whether they accept the international license as your primary driving document or whether they require your U.S. license as well. Before you travel, check the driving requirements for the specific country or countries you plan to visit. Your car rental company or the embassy website for that country can tell you what documents you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my international driver's license if my U.S. license is expired?
No. Your U.S. driver's license must be valid and current at the time you renew your international license. If your U.S. license has expired, renew it with your state's motor vehicle department first, then renew your international license through AAA.
Do I need to be a AAA member to renew an international driver's license?
No. AAA issues international driver's licenses to members and non-members alike. Non-members pay the standard renewal fee. AAA members may receive a small discount, so ask when you visit or call ahead to confirm the member rate at your local office.
What if I need my international license before the mail-in renewal arrives?
Visit an AAA office in person instead. In-person renewal is completed on the spot, and you walk out with your new booklet. Mail-in renewal typically takes one to two weeks, so plan ahead if you have an upcoming trip.
Can I renew my international driver's license online?
No. AAA does not offer online renewal for international driver's licenses. You must renew in person at an AAA office or by mail. You can read the process form online and fill it out before you visit or mail it, but the final renewal must happen through one of those two channels.
What happens if my international driver's license expires while I am traveling abroad?
An expired international driver's license is not valid for driving. If it expires during your trip, you can only drive using your U.S. license alone, which some countries may not recognize. Renew your international license before you travel to avoid this situation, or plan to renew it before your current one expires.