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 regular driver's license into ten languages. It does not replace your home license — you must carry both together. The permit itself lasts either one year or three years from the date of issue, depending on which version your country issues.

The United States issues only the three-year version through the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Some other countries issue a one-year version, so if you obtained your permit outside the U.S., check the expiration date printed on the document itself. The three-year U.S. permit costs around $20 and requires a valid passport, a current U.S. driver's license, and a passport-sized photo.

Your IDP expires on the date printed on it, regardless of whether your home license expires first. If your home license expires before the permit does, the permit becomes invalid — you cannot use an expired license to drive anywhere, even with a valid IDP. If your IDP expires before your home license, you need a new permit to drive internationally, though your home license remains valid for domestic driving.

Key Takeaways

  • U.S.-issued International Driving Permits last three years from the date you receive them, and you must carry both the permit and your regular driver's license when driving abroad.
  • Your IDP becomes invalid if your home driver's license expires first, so check both expiration dates before an international trip.
  • You can obtain a new three-year IDP through AAA or AATA before your current one expires, and the process takes about 15 minutes in person.
  • Different countries issue permits with different validity periods, so if you obtained yours outside the U.S., the expiration date on your specific document controls how long it is valid.

Why your home license expiration matters as much as your permit expiration

Many people assume that as long as their IDP has not expired, they can drive internationally. That is not how it works. An International Driving Permit is only a translation of your home license — it has no independent legal authority. If your home license has expired, the permit is worthless, even if it still has months left on it.

Before any international trip, pull out both documents and check both expiration dates. If your home license expires before your IDP, renew your home license first through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. If your IDP expires first, you can renew just the permit through AAA or AATA without renewing your home license. The two documents operate on separate timelines, so you need to track both.

How to renew your International Driving Permit before it expires

You can obtain a new IDP at any AAA office or through AATA by mail. In person at AAA, the process takes about 15 minutes and costs roughly $20. You will need your valid U.S. driver's license, a valid passport, and one passport-sized photo (2 by 2 inches). AAA locations are in most cities and towns; you can find the nearest one on the AAA website.

If you renew by mail through AATA, the process takes longer — typically one to two weeks for processing, plus mail time. You send in the same documents plus a completed process form. AATA's mailing address and current fees are on their website. Many people renew in person at AAA because it is faster and you walk out with the permit the same day.

You do not have to wait until your current permit expires to get a new one. Many travelers renew a few months before expiration to avoid being caught without a valid permit during a trip. There is no penalty for obtaining a new permit early.

What happens if your permit expires while you are traveling

If your IDP expires while you are abroad, you cannot legally drive. Rental car companies will not rent to you, and police can fine or detain you if you are caught driving. Your home driver's license alone is not sufficient in most countries — the IDP is what makes your U.S. license readable and recognized.

If you realize mid-trip that your permit has expired, stop driving when ready. Contact your country's embassy or consulate to ask whether they can issue an emergency travel document or extension. Most will not — they will tell you to stop driving and arrange other transportation. Some travel insurance policies cover emergency transportation if you become unable to drive, so check your policy before departure.

The best protection is to check both your home license and IDP expiration dates at least two weeks before you leave. If either is expiring soon, renew it before you go. A 15-minute visit to AAA is far simpler than being stranded abroad.

International Driving Permits issued outside the United States

If you obtained your IDP from a country other than the U.S., the validity period depends on that country's rules. Some nations issue one-year permits, others issue three-year permits, and a few issue permits valid for five years. The expiration date printed on your permit is what controls — not the country where you got it.

If you are now living in the U.S. and your foreign IDP is expiring, you can obtain a U.S. IDP through AAA or AATA. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen, but you do need a valid U.S. driver's license. If you are visiting the U.S. temporarily and your home country's IDP is still valid, you can use it here — the U.S. recognizes IDPs issued by other countries as long as they have not expired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive internationally with just 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. You must have both a valid home license and a valid IDP to drive legally in most countries. Renew your IDP before it expires.

Do I need to renew my home license when I renew my International Driving Permit?

No. The IDP and your home license are separate documents on separate schedules. You can renew your IDP without renewing your home license, and vice versa. Check the expiration date on each one independently.

What if I lose my International Driving Permit while traveling?

Contact AAA or AATA when ready to report it lost. They cannot issue a replacement while you are abroad, but they can tell you whether your country's embassy can issue an emergency document. Most will not. Stop driving and arrange other transportation until you return home and can obtain a new permit.

Is a one-year International Driving Permit cheaper than a three-year one?

The U.S. only issues three-year permits, so cost is not a choice here. If you obtained a one-year permit from another country, that country set the price. When you renew through AAA or AATA in the U.S., you get the three-year version at the standard U.S. fee.