What an international driving permit actually is

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 and does not replace your actual license — you must carry both together. The IDP exists because many countries do not recognize foreign licenses, even valid ones, and border agents or police need to understand what your license says.

The IDP is issued by your home country's motor vehicle authority, not by an international body. In the United States, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are the two organizations authorized to issue IDPs on behalf of the U.S. State Department. You cannot get one from a government office directly. The permit is valid for one or three years, depending on which type you request, and costs between $15 and $20.

Think of it as a notarized translation. A police officer in France or Japan can read your license information in their own language, verify your identity, and confirm you were legally licensed to drive in your home country at the time you left.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit is a translation of your home license into ten languages and must be carried alongside your actual license, not instead of it.
  • In the United States, only AAA and AATA can issue IDPs; you cannot get one from the DMV or state motor vehicle office.
  • You need a valid, unexpired driver's license from your home country before you can request an IDP.
  • The IDP is recognized in over 150 countries but is not required everywhere; some countries accept your home license alone, while others accept neither.
  • An IDP costs $15 to $20 and is valid for either one or three years depending on the type you choose.

Which countries require or recognize an International Driving Permit

No single rule applies everywhere. Some countries legally require an IDP; others accept your home license alone; still others accept neither and require you to get an international license from them instead. The safest approach is to contact the embassy or consulate of each country you plan to visit before you leave.

Countries that commonly require or strongly recommend an IDP include Mexico, Costa Rica, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Thailand, and Japan. However, "require" can mean different things — some countries will let you drive without one but will fine you if stopped, while others will not let you rent a car without proof you have one. Rental car companies often have stricter rules than the law itself; many will not rent to you without an IDP even if the country does not legally require one.

Some countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom, recognize a valid U.S. driver's license without an IDP. Others, like Australia and New Zealand, issue their own temporary visitor permits instead. The IDP is not a substitute for learning what each destination actually requires.

How to get an International Driving Permit from AAA or AATA

You will need your valid U.S. driver's license, a passport or other government-issued photo ID, and a passport-sized photo (2 by 2 inches). Some AAA locations accept digital photos taken on the spot; others require you to bring one. Call ahead to confirm what your local office accepts.

AAA members can request an IDP in person at any AAA office or by mail. Non-members can also request one in person at most AAA locations. The process takes about 15 minutes if you go in person. By mail, you send your license, photo, a completed process form, and payment to AAA; processing usually takes one to two weeks. AAA charges $15 for a one-year IDP or $20 for a three-year IDP for members and non-members alike.

AATA handles requests by mail only. You can read the process from their website, send it with your documents and payment, and receive your IDP by mail. AATA charges $20 for either a one-year or three-year permit. Processing takes approximately two to three weeks.

Do not wait until the week before your trip. If you are traveling soon and need an IDP, visit an AAA office in person rather than mailing an process.

What information the IDP contains

The IDP reproduces the key facts from your driver's license in ten languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, and Polish. It includes your name, date of birth, license number, the date your license was issued, the date it expires, and the vehicle classes you are licensed to drive (such as passenger cars, motorcycles, or trucks).

The IDP does not include your photograph or your home address. It is a small booklet, roughly the size of a passport, and is meant to be read alongside your actual license. A foreign police officer or rental agent will check both documents together to confirm they match and that your home license is still valid.

How long an International Driving Permit lasts

An IDP is valid for one year or three years from the date of issue, depending on which type you request when you explore. The one-year permit costs $15 and the three-year permit costs $20, so most people choose the three-year option even if they only plan one trip, since the extra cost is small and the permit can be used for future travel.

Your IDP expires on a specific date printed on the cover. It is not valid after that date, even if your home driver's license is still valid. You will need to request a new IDP if you plan to drive internationally again after it expires.

Your home driver's license must also be valid and unexpired while you are driving. If your license expires during your trip, the IDP becomes useless because it only translates a license that is currently valid. Renew your home license before you travel if it will expire while you are away.

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

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country where you are traveling. They cannot issue a replacement IDP, but they can provide a letter confirming that you hold a valid U.S. driver's license and that an IDP was issued to you. Some rental car companies and police will accept this letter as a temporary substitute, though it is not may provide.

The better option is to avoid the problem by keeping your IDP in a separate bag from your wallet. Treat it like your passport — something you carry only when you need it, not something you leave in your car or carry every day.

If you lose your IDP after you return home, you can request a replacement from AAA or AATA using the same process as a new process. There is no expedited replacement process for lost permits.

International Driving Permit versus an international license

These terms are sometimes confused. An International Driving Permit is what AAA and AATA issue — a translation document that works in over 150 countries. An international license is a separate, country-specific license issued by some nations to visitors. For example, some countries require you to get a local temporary license in addition to your home license and IDP.

China, for instance, does not recognize an IDP at all. If you want to drive there, you must get a Chinese temporary driving license from the Chinese motor vehicle authority, which requires passing a written test and a driving test. Similarly, some U.S. states issue their own visitor permits to people with foreign licenses.

Before you travel, find out whether the country requires an IDP, a local license, both, or neither. The U.S. State Department website lists driving requirements by country, and the embassy or consulate of your destination can answer specific questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in another country with just my U.S. driver's license and no IDP?

It depends on the country. Canada, the UK, and some other nations accept a valid U.S. license alone. Many others legally require an IDP or will fine you if stopped without one. Rental car companies often require an IDP even when the country does not. Check with your destination's embassy before you travel.

Do I need an IDP if I am only renting a car for one day?

Most rental companies require an IDP regardless of how long you rent. Some may make exceptions if you have a passport and a valid U.S. license, but do not count on it. It is cheaper and faster to get an IDP before you leave than to risk being unable to rent a car when you arrive.

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

You cannot get an IDP with a suspended or expired license. Your home license must be valid and unexpired at the time you explore. If your license is suspended, you must wait until the suspension is lifted. If it is expired, renew it first.

Can I get an International Driving Permit from the DMV?

No. Only AAA and AATA are authorized to issue IDPs in the United States. The DMV cannot issue one. You must contact AAA or AATA directly, either in person at an AAA office or by mail through AATA.

How do I know if my IDP is still valid?

Check the expiration date printed on the front cover of your IDP booklet. If that date has passed, your IDP is no longer valid. Your home driver's license must also still be valid — an expired home license makes the IDP useless even if the IDP itself has not expired.