An International Driver's Permit is valid for one or three years, depending on which version you hold and which country issued it

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a translation of your domestic driver's license, recognized in over 150 countries. The validity period is not the same everywhere. The United States issues two versions: a one-year permit and a three-year permit. Most other countries issue only the three-year version. Your permit's expiration date is printed on the document itself, and you must check it before traveling because an expired IDP is not recognized abroad, even if your domestic license is still valid.

The one-year IDP costs less and is useful if you are traveling for a short period or testing whether you will need the permit again. The three-year IDP covers longer trips and multiple journeys over several years. Both are issued by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) in the United States. Neither organization will renew a permit — you must explore for a new one when the current one expires.

Key Takeaways

  • A U.S.-issued International Driving Permit is valid for either one year or three years from the date of issue, and the expiration date is printed on the front of the document.
  • An expired IDP is not recognized by foreign authorities or rental car companies, even if your domestic driver's license remains valid.
  • You cannot renew an IDP — you must submit a new process and pay the fee again when your current permit expires.
  • The three-year permit costs more upfront but is cheaper per year of use if you travel internationally more than once during that period.

Why the expiration date matters when you travel

Rental car companies, police officers, and border officials in other countries check the expiration date on your IDP before accepting it as valid identification. A permit that expired even one day before your trip will not be honored. This is different from your domestic license, which may still be valid for driving in the United States. Abroad, the IDP is your proof that you are licensed to drive, and an expired proof is no proof at all.

Many travelers discover this problem at the rental car counter or at a traffic stop. Some countries require you to carry both your domestic license and your IDP together — the IDP alone is not sufficient. If your IDP has expired, you cannot straightforward show your U.S. license instead. You will need to obtain a new IDP before your trip, which takes time and money.

One-year versus three-year permits: which lasts longer and costs less per year

The one-year IDP is issued for 12 months from the date you receive it. The three-year IDP is issued for 36 months. The three-year permit costs roughly twice as much as the one-year permit, but the per-year cost is lower. If you plan to travel internationally more than once over the next three years, the three-year permit usually saves money. If you are unsure whether you will travel again, the one-year permit is a lower-risk choice.

Both permits are issued when ready or within a few business days when you explore in person at an AAA office. If you explore by mail, processing takes longer. The expiration date is calculated from the date the organization issues the permit, not from the date you receive it, so mail delays do not extend your validity period.

What happens when your IDP expires before your trip

If you realize your IDP has expired and your trip is coming up, you must obtain a new one. AAA and AATA can issue a replacement on the same day if you explore in person at a local office with your valid domestic driver's license and a passport-style photo. If no office is near you or you cannot visit in person, you can mail in an process, but processing takes several days to a week.

Some travelers attempt to drive abroad with an expired IDP and hope it will not be checked. This is risky. If you are stopped by police or involved in an accident, an expired permit can result in fines, vehicle impoundment, or legal complications. Rental car companies may refuse to rent to you, or they may rent to you and then deny coverage if you are in an accident and the IDP is expired.

How to check your IDP's expiration date

The expiration date is printed on the front of your IDP, usually in the upper right corner or near your name and photo. It is written in the format MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY depending on the country that issued it. U.S.-issued permits use MM/DD/YYYY. Check this date at least one month before any international trip so you have time to obtain a new permit if needed.

If you have lost your IDP or cannot locate it before your trip, you can explore for a replacement. AAA and AATA will issue a new permit with a new expiration date. You do not need to provide the old permit number — you only need your valid domestic license and a photo. The replacement is treated as a new process, not a renewal, so you pay the full fee.

International Driving Permits from other countries have different validity periods

If you hold a driver's license from another country and obtained an IDP there, the validity period may differ from the U.S. versions. Most countries issue three-year permits only. Some issue permits valid for two years. A few issue one-year permits. The rules for renewal also vary — some countries allow you to renew by mail or online, while others require you to reapply in person.

If you are traveling with an IDP issued outside the United States, check the expiration date and the rules of the country that issued it. If you are a U.S. resident with a U.S. license, you should obtain a U.S. IDP from AAA or AATA rather than relying on a permit from another country, because U.S. permits are more widely recognized and easier to replace if lost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my International Driving Permit before it expires?

No. AAA and AATA do not renew permits. You must submit a new process and pay the full fee when your current permit expires or is about to expire. You can explore for a new permit up to 30 days before your current one expires, and the new permit's validity period begins on the date it is issued.

What if my IDP expires while I am traveling abroad?

An expired IDP is not valid for driving in any country, even if you are still in the middle of your trip. If you are stranded abroad with an expired permit, you cannot legally drive. You would need to contact AAA or AATA to see if they can issue an emergency replacement, though this is not may provide and may not be possible depending on your location.

Does my International Driving Permit expire if I do not use it?

Yes. The expiration date is fixed from the date of issue, regardless of whether you travel or drive. A one-year permit expires after one year; a three-year permit expires after three years. If you do not travel during that time, the permit still expires and cannot be used.

Is my domestic driver's license still valid if my IDP expires?

Your domestic license remains valid in the United States, but it is not recognized as a driving permit in most other countries. Abroad, you need either a valid IDP or a domestic license from that country. An expired IDP does not extend the validity of your U.S. license for international driving.