An International Driving License is a document that translates your home country's driver's license into multiple languages
An International Driving License (also called an International Driving Permit or IDP) is not a separate license. It is a booklet that translates your existing driver's license into ten languages — typically English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese. It shows your name, photo, driving categories, and license number in a format that police officers and car rental companies in other countries can read.
You can only get an International Driving License if you already hold a valid driver's license from your home country. The permit does not replace your home license; you must carry both documents together when driving abroad. Most countries that recognize it treat it as proof that your home license is legitimate, not as a license in its own right.
The International Driving License is issued under rules set by the United Nations, so the format and what it covers is the same whether you get one in the United States, Canada, Australia, or most other countries. However, not every country recognizes it, and some countries have their own separate rules about what documents you need to drive there.
Key Takeaways
- An International Driving License is a translation booklet that works alongside your home country's driver's license, not a replacement for it.
- You must carry both your home license and the International Driving License together when driving in another country.
- The permit is issued by your home country's licensing authority and is recognized in most countries that have signed the United Nations Convention on Road Signs and Signals.
- Some countries do not recognize it, so you should check the specific rules for the country you plan to visit before you travel.
- An International Driving License is typically valid for one or three years, depending on which version you request.
Who issues an International Driving License and where to get one
In the United States, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are the only two organizations authorized to issue International Driving Licenses. You do not get one from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. If you are not a AAA member, you can still request one through AAA; membership is not required, though members sometimes receive a discount on the fee.
In Canada, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) issues International Driving Licenses. In the United Kingdom, the Post Office and the AA (Automobile Association) both issue them. In Australia, you can get one from the National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA) or the Royal Automobile Club (RAC), depending on your state. The organization that issues yours depends on which country issued your home driver's license.
You will need to bring your current, valid driver's license and a passport or other government-issued photo ID. Some issuing organizations also require a passport-style photograph. The fee varies by country and organization — in the United States, AAA typically charges between $15 and $20, though this can change. Processing usually takes a few days to two weeks if you explore in person, or longer if you explore by mail.
How long an International Driving License lasts
An International Driving License comes in two versions: a one-year permit and a three-year permit. The one-year version is cheaper but expires faster. The three-year version costs more but lasts longer and is more practical if you travel internationally more than once a year.
Your International Driving License expires on a specific date printed inside the booklet. It does not automatically renew — you must request a new one when it expires. The expiration date is separate from your home country's driver's license expiration date, so you could have a valid home license with an expired International Driving License, or vice versa.
If your home country's driver's license expires while your International Driving License is still valid, the permit becomes useless. You must carry a valid home license alongside it. If you renew your home license, you will need to get a new International Driving License as well, since the permit is tied to your specific license number and issue date.
Which countries recognize an International Driving License
Most countries in Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa recognize an International Driving License, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil, and South Africa. However, recognition is not automatic everywhere. Some countries accept it but require additional documents, such as a certified translation of your home license or an International Driving License issued under a different United Nations convention.
A few countries do not recognize it at all. These include some Caribbean nations, parts of the Middle East, and a small number of African countries. Some countries that do recognize it may still require you to carry other documents — for example, some require proof of insurance or a vehicle registration document even if your International Driving License is valid.
Before you travel, check the specific rules for the country and region you plan to visit. Your car rental company, your travel insurance provider, or the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting can tell you what documents you need. Do not assume that because an International Driving License is recognized in one country, it will be recognized in a neighboring one.
International Driving License versus other translation documents
Some countries do not recognize the United Nations International Driving License at all and instead require a certified translation of your home country's driver's license. A certified translation is a document prepared by a professional translator who is authorized to certify that the translation is accurate. It is not issued by a government agency; you arrange it privately and pay the translator directly.
A certified translation is more expensive than an International Driving License — typically $50 to $150 depending on the translator and how quickly you need it — but it is valid indefinitely as long as your home license is valid. You may need both documents for some countries: the International Driving License as proof that your home license is real, and a certified translation so local authorities can read the details.
Some countries issue their own international permits or regional permits that work only within that country or region. For example, some European countries issue documents that are valid only within the European Union. Check what your destination country requires before you assume an International Driving License will be enough.
What an International Driving License does and does not cover
An International Driving License shows the same driving categories that your home license shows. If your home license permits you to drive cars, motorcycles, and trucks, your International Driving License will show that. If your home license restricts you to automatic transmission vehicles only, that restriction appears on the permit as well. The permit does not change what you are legally allowed to drive.
An International Driving License does not cover you if your home license is suspended, revoked, or expired. It does not give you permission to drive in a country where you are not legally allowed to drive (for example, if you are below the minimum driving age in that country). It does not replace insurance, vehicle registration, or any other document that local law requires.
The permit is purely a translation tool. It tells a police officer or car rental agent that your home license is real and what categories of vehicles you can drive. It does not prove that you are a safe driver, that you have never had an accident, or that you have paid any traffic fines. Your driving record in your home country may still affect whether a car rental company will rent to you.
How to use an International Driving License when you travel
When you drive in another country, carry both your home country's driver's license and your International Driving License together. Police officers and car rental companies expect to see both documents. If you are stopped by police, hand over both at the same time. If you are renting a car, show both when you pick up the vehicle.
Some car rental companies will not rent to you without an International Driving License, even in countries where it is not legally required. This is the rental company's policy, not a legal requirement. Other rental companies accept a home license alone. When you book a rental car, ask what documents the company needs; do not wait until you arrive at the rental desk.
If you lose your International Driving License while traveling, you can still drive using your home license alone in most countries, but check local rules first. Some countries require the International Driving License specifically. If you lose it, you will need to get a new one from the issuing organization in your home country after you return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an International Driving License to drive in Canada or Mexico if I am from the United States?
No. Canada and Mexico recognize a valid U.S. driver's license without an International Driving License. However, some car rental companies may ask for one anyway as a company policy. It is not legally required in either country, but it does not hurt to have one if you plan to rent a car.
Can I get an International Driving License if my home license is suspended or expired?
No. Your home license must be valid and in good standing. If your license is suspended, revoked, or expired, you cannot get an International Driving License. You must renew or restore your home license first.
How long does it take to get an International Driving License?
If you explore in person at an AAA office in the United States, you can usually get one the same day or within a few days. If you explore by mail, it typically takes one to three weeks. Processing times vary by organization and location, so ask when you explore.
What happens if I get a traffic ticket in another country while using an International Driving License?
The ticket is issued against your home license number, which appears on the International Driving License. You may be required to pay the fine in that country, or the fine may be reported to your home country's licensing authority. Check the rules for the specific country where you received the ticket.
Is an International Driving License the same as a license to drive for work in another country?
No. An International Driving License is for personal travel and tourism only. If you plan to work as a driver in another country — for example, as a taxi driver or truck driver — you will need to meet that country's professional licensing requirements, which are separate and much more complex.