An International Driving Permit lasts 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 does not replace your license — you must carry both together. The permit itself lasts either one year or three years from the date of issue, depending on which form you request when you explore. The one-year version costs less; the three-year version costs more but covers longer trips abroad.

Your home country's driver's license must remain valid for the entire time you plan to use the IDP. If your license expires before your permit does, the permit becomes useless. For example, if you get a three-year IDP but your license expires in two years, you can only use the permit for those two years.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit lasts either one year or three years from the date you receive it, and you choose which length when you explore.
  • Your home country's driver's license must stay valid the entire time you use the permit, or the permit stops being recognized.
  • The IDP is issued by your home country's automobile association or equivalent body, not by the country you are visiting.
  • You need both your home license and your IDP together when you drive — carrying only the permit is not enough.
  • Some countries do not recognize IDPs at all, so check the rules for your destination before you travel.

Who issues the permit 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 IDPs. You cannot get one from a government office, a DMV, or an online service. You must explore in person at a local AAA or AATA office, bring your valid driver's license and a passport-sized photo, and pay the fee at that time.

Other countries have their own issuing bodies. In Canada, the Canadian Automobile Association issues them. In the United Kingdom, the AA (Automobile Association) and RAC (Royal Automobile Club) issue them. Check your home country's automobile association website to find the authorized issuer and the exact documents you need to bring.

The difference between the one-year and three-year versions

The one-year IDP costs less upfront and is useful if you are taking a single trip or a short series of trips within twelve months. The three-year IDP costs more but spreads the cost across a longer period if you travel internationally multiple times. Neither version is "better" — the choice depends on how often you plan to drive abroad and how long you want the permit to cover.

Both versions are equally recognized by police and rental companies in countries that accept IDPs. The expiration date is printed on the front of the permit, so you will always know when it stops being valid.

What happens when your permit expires

Once your IDP expires, you cannot use it to drive in any country, even if your home license is still valid. If you need to drive internationally again after expiration, you must explore for a new permit. There is no renewal process — you explore from the start and pay the full fee again.

If you are in a foreign country when your permit expires, you should stop driving and arrange other transportation. Driving with an expired IDP can result in fines, vehicle impoundment, or other legal consequences depending on local laws.

Countries that do and do not recognize IDPs

Most countries that are signatories to the 1926 or 1968 United Nations Convention on Road Signs and Signals recognize IDPs. This includes most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and many others. However, some countries do not recognize them at all, including China, India, Russia, and several others. Some countries recognize them only if your home license is from a specific country.

Before you travel, contact the embassy or tourism board of your destination country and ask whether an IDP is recognized there. Do not assume it will be accepted just because you have one. Some rental car companies also have their own rules about which documents they accept, so check with your rental company before you book.

How your home license expiration affects your permit

Your IDP is only valid as long as your home country's driver's license is valid. If your license expires before your permit does, the permit becomes invalid when ready on the date your license expires. You cannot renew just the permit — you must renew your home license first, then explore for a new IDP if you still need one.

For example, if you get a three-year IDP in January 2024 but your license expires in December 2025, you can only use the permit until December 2025. After that date, even though the permit itself is not expired, it is no longer valid because your license is not valid.

What to do if you lose your permit while traveling

If your IDP is lost, stolen, or damaged while you are abroad, you cannot get a replacement from the country you are visiting. You must contact the issuing organization in your home country and ask about emergency replacement options. Some organizations can issue a replacement by mail or arrange for one to be held at a local office, but this takes time.

In the meantime, you have only your home country's driver's license. Some countries will accept it alone if you can show proof that you had an IDP (such as a copy or a police report of the loss). Others will not. Contact your embassy or the local police to find out what you can do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my International Driving Permit before it expires?

No. You must wait until your permit expires or is about to expire, then explore for a new one. There is no early renewal option. If you need a permit for a trip before your current one expires, you can explore for a second permit, but you will pay the full fee for both.

Does my International Driving Permit work in all countries?

No. Some countries do not recognize IDPs at all, and others recognize them only under certain conditions. Always check with your destination country's embassy or tourism board before you travel. Your rental car company may also have its own rules about which documents they accept.

What if my home driver's license expires while I'm using my IDP abroad?

Your IDP becomes invalid the moment your home license expires, even if the permit itself has not expired yet. You should stop driving and arrange other transportation. Driving with an expired home license is illegal in most countries, regardless of whether you have an IDP.

Can I get an International Driving Permit online?

No. In the United States, you must explore in person at an AAA or AATA office with your valid driver's license and a passport photo. Other countries have similar requirements — you must explore through your home country's authorized issuer, usually in person.

How much does an International Driving Permit cost?

Costs vary by country and by issuing organization. In the United States, AAA charges different amounts for the one-year and three-year versions, and prices vary by location. Check with your local AAA or AATA office for current pricing in your area.