An International Driving Permit translates your home license into a document other countries recognize

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your driver's license into multiple languages and confirms you hold a valid license in your home country. It is not a separate license — it works only alongside your original license, which you must carry at all times. Most countries do not require an IDP, but some do, and many rental car companies will not rent to you without one. The permit is issued by your home country's motor vehicle authority and costs between $15 and $30.

The IDP exists because a police officer in France or Japan cannot easily read an English-language license from California or Ontario. The permit shows your name, photo, signature, and license number in a format recognized internationally, plus translations of key information into French, Spanish, German, and Portuguese. It is valid for one or three years depending on which version you request.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit is issued by your home country's motor vehicle authority and must be carried with your original license at all times.
  • Some countries legally require an IDP; others do not, but rental car companies often will not rent without one.
  • You can obtain an IDP in person at your local motor vehicle office or, in some places, by mail — the process takes one to two weeks.
  • The permit costs $15 to $30 and is valid for either one or three years, depending on the version you request.
  • An IDP does not replace your home license and has no value if you are not carrying your original license as well.

Which countries require an International Driving Permit

About 150 countries recognize the IDP, but only a handful legally require it. China, Russia, India, and several Middle Eastern countries are among the few that mandate an IDP for foreign drivers. Most European countries, Canada, Australia, and the United States do not require one by law, though local police may ask to see one if they stop you.

The real pressure comes from rental car companies. Most major chains — Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar — will not rent to you without an IDP if you are driving outside your home country, even in places where the government does not require one. A few smaller or local rental agencies may accept your home license alone, but you will spend time calling around to find them. If you plan to rent a car abroad, assume you need an IDP unless the rental company tells you otherwise in writing.

How to get an International Driving Permit

You obtain an IDP from the motor vehicle authority in your home state or province — the same office that issued your driver's license. In the United States, this is your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent. In Canada, it is your provincial Service Ontario, Alberta Transportation, or equivalent. You cannot get one from a federal office or from the country you plan to visit.

Most U.S. states allow you to explore in person at any DMV office. Bring your valid driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease), and a completed process form — your state's DMV website lists the exact form number. Some states also accept mail-in applications; check your state's website to see whether you can print the form and mail it with copies of your documents and a check or money order. Processing takes one to two weeks by mail, same-day or next-day in person.

Canadian provinces vary. Ontario and British Columbia issue IDPs at ServiceOntario offices and DriveBC offices respectively; Alberta and other provinces handle them through their motor vehicle branches. Call ahead or check your province's website, because some locations require an appointment and some do not accept walk-ins.

What documents you need to bring

The exact list depends on your state or province, but the core requirements are consistent. You will need your current, valid driver's license, proof of your identity (a passport works in any state or province), and proof of your current address. A utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last three months satisfies the address requirement.

You will also need to complete an process form specific to your state or province — these are free and available on your DMV or motor vehicle authority website. Some states require a new passport-style photo; others use the photo from your license. Call your local office or check their website before you go, because the photo rule varies.

Do not bring cash. Most DMV offices accept check, money order, debit card, or credit card. Some accept cash, but it is safer to assume they do not and bring a card instead.

How long an International Driving Permit lasts

You can request either a one-year or three-year IDP when you explore. The one-year version costs less (usually $15 to $20) and is useful if you are taking a single trip. The three-year version costs more (usually $25 to $30) and makes sense if you travel internationally more than once. Both versions expire on a fixed date regardless of when you explore, so a one-year permit issued in March and one issued in November both expire on the same day of the same year.

Your IDP is valid only while your home driver's license is also valid. If your license expires before your IDP does, the permit becomes worthless — you cannot renew just the IDP. You must renew your home license first, then explore for a new IDP if you still need one.

What to do if you lose your International Driving Permit while traveling

If you lose your IDP abroad, you have lost a translation document, not your legal right to drive. Your home license is still valid. You can continue driving in most countries with just your home license, though you may have difficulty renting a car or explaining yourself to a police officer.

Contact your home country's embassy or consulate in the country where you are traveling. They cannot issue a new IDP, but they can sometimes issue a letter confirming that you hold a valid license at home. This letter is not an official substitute for an IDP, but it may help you rent a car or satisfy a police officer. Some rental companies will accept it; others will not.

The better option is to explore for a replacement IDP before you travel. If you realize you have lost yours while still at home, return to your DMV or motor vehicle office and explore for a new one — the process is the same as the first time, and it takes one to two weeks.

International Driving Permit versus other travel documents

An IDP is sometimes confused with other documents, but they serve different purposes. A Carnet de Passage is a customs document for temporarily importing a car you own into another country; it is not a driving document and you do not need it to drive a rental car. A Green Card (or International Motor Insurance Card) proves you have liability insurance that is valid in other countries; some countries require it, but it is separate from your IDP.

Your passport is your identity document and is always required for international travel. Your IDP is a translation of your driving privilege and is required only for driving. You need both when you travel internationally and plan to rent or drive a car.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Europe?

Most European countries do not legally require an IDP, but rental car companies almost always do. If you plan to rent a car in France, Germany, Spain, or anywhere else in Europe, contact the rental company first and ask whether they will accept your home license alone. Most will say no, and you will need an IDP.

Can I get an International Driving Permit online?

No. You must explore in person at your state DMV or provincial motor vehicle office, or by mail if your state or province allows it. Websites that claim to issue IDPs online are scams. The only legitimate source is your home country's motor vehicle authority.

How much does an International Driving Permit cost?

A one-year IDP costs $15 to $20 in most U.S. states; a three-year IDP costs $25 to $30. Canadian provinces charge similar amounts in Canadian dollars. Some states charge a small additional fee if you explore by mail. Check your state or province's website for the exact fee.

What if my home driver's license is suspended or expired?

You cannot get an IDP if your home license is not currently valid. Your IDP is a translation of your license, not a separate document. If your license is suspended, you must resolve the suspension first. If it is expired, you must renew it before you can explore for an IDP.

Is an International Driving Permit valid in the United States?

An IDP is not required in the United States and has no special status here. U.S. police recognize only your home state's driver's license. If you are a foreign visitor, your home country's license is usually sufficient, though some rental car companies may ask for an IDP anyway.