International driving permits are valid for one or three years, depending on which version you get

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your home country's driver's license into ten languages. It is not a separate license — it works only alongside your actual license from your home country. The validity period depends on which of the two IDP formats you receive: the one-year version or the three-year version.

Which version you receive depends on your age and which country issued your home license. If you are under 18, you receive a one-year permit. If you are 18 or older, you can request the three-year version. Some countries issue only the one-year version regardless of age, so the issuing authority in your home country determines what you get.

Your IDP also cannot outlast your home country's driver's license. If your regular license expires before your IDP does, the IDP becomes invalid on the same date your home license expires. This is the most common reason an IDP stops working before its printed expiration date.

Key Takeaways

  • The one-year IDP is issued to drivers under 18 and expires one year from the issue date.
  • The three-year IDP is available to drivers 18 and older and expires three years from the issue date.
  • Your IDP becomes invalid if your home country's driver's license expires first, even if the IDP has time remaining.
  • An IDP is only valid when carried together with your original home license — one document without the other has no legal standing.

Where your IDP's expiration date is printed

The expiration date appears on the front cover of your IDP booklet, in the upper right corner. It is listed as "Valid until" followed by the month and year. Check this date before any international trip, because an expired IDP will not be recognized by police or rental car companies, even if your home license is still valid.

Some countries print the expiration date in different formats. The United States uses month/day/year; Canada uses year/month/day; the United Kingdom uses day/month/year. If you are unsure how to read the date on your permit, contact the issuing authority in your home country or ask the rental car company before you travel.

What happens when your IDP expires

Once your IDP expires, you cannot legally drive in most countries that recognize the permit system. A rental car company will refuse to rent to you. Police may issue a citation if you are stopped, though enforcement varies by country and local jurisdiction.

You can still drive in your home country using only your home license — the IDP is only needed for international travel. If you plan to travel again, you will need to obtain a new IDP from the issuing authority before you leave.

Renewing your IDP before it expires

You can explore for a new IDP before your current one expires. There is no waiting period — you do not have to let the old one expire first. Many travelers renew three to six months before an expiration date to avoid the risk of traveling with a permit that is about to expire.

The renewal process is the same as the original process: you submit an process form, your home country's driver's license, a passport-sized photo, and a fee to the issuing authority. Processing times vary by country, typically ranging from a few days to several weeks. Check with your local issuing authority for their current timeline.

IDP validity across different countries

An IDP issued by one country is recognized in most countries that are signatories to the 1926 or 1968 United Nations conventions on road signs and signals. This includes most countries in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Africa. However, a few countries do not recognize the IDP system at all.

China, Russia, India, and several Middle Eastern countries do not recognize international driving permits. If you plan to rent a car or drive in these countries, you will need to obtain a separate local driving license or an official translation of your home license from that country's transportation authority. Check the specific country's requirements before you travel.

Keeping your IDP valid during travel

Your IDP is only valid when you carry it together with your original home country driver's license. Carrying one without the other means you have no legal driving document. Keep both documents in a safe place while traveling — many travelers carry them separately to reduce the risk of losing both at once.

If your home license expires while you are abroad, your IDP becomes invalid when ready, even if it has months remaining. Renew your home license before traveling if it will expire during your trip. Some countries allow you to renew by mail or through an embassy, but processing times can be long.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. An expired IDP has no legal standing, regardless of your home license status. You must have a valid IDP and a valid home license together to drive legally in countries that recognize the permit system.

What if I lose my IDP while traveling?

Contact your country's embassy or consulate in that country. Some embassies can issue a replacement or a letter confirming your home license status. You may also be able to rent a car using your home license alone in some places, but policies vary by rental company and country.

Do I need to renew my IDP if I renew my home license?

Not automatically. Your IDP remains valid as long as both documents are current. However, if your home license number changes during renewal, some rental companies may ask for a new IDP that matches the new license number. Check with your rental company before traveling.

Is a one-year IDP cheaper than a three-year IDP?

Usually, but the fee structure varies by country. In the United States, the one-year permit costs less than the three-year version. Contact your local issuing authority for current pricing in your country.

Can I use an IDP from my home country if I move to a different country?

Yes, as long as your home license remains valid. An IDP is tied to your home country's license, not your current residence. If you become a resident of a new country, you will eventually need to obtain that country's driver's license, but you can use your original IDP until then.