An International Driving Permit is a translation of your home country's driver's license, not a separate license

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your existing driver's license into ten languages. It is not a license itself — it does not replace your home license, and you cannot drive on an IDP alone. You must carry both documents together.

Whether you need one depends on where you are driving and for how long. The United States, Canada, Australia, and most European countries recognize your home license for short visits. Some countries require an IDP alongside your home license, and a few will not accept your home license at all without one. The rules vary by destination, and they can change.

An IDP costs between $15 and $30 in most places and takes one to two weeks to obtain through your local motor vehicle department or an authorized travel organization. You cannot buy one online from a legitimate source — scam websites sell fake IDPs for inflated prices.

Key Takeaways

  • An IDP is a translation document that must be carried with your home country's driver's license; it is not a standalone license.
  • Most popular tourist destinations (UK, France, Spain, Japan, Mexico) accept your home license for visits under three months without requiring an IDP.
  • Some countries (Russia, China, South Africa, parts of the Middle East) require an IDP even for short-term visitors, so check your specific destination before you travel.
  • An IDP is issued by your home country's motor vehicle authority or an authorized travel organization and costs $15 to $30.
  • An IDP is valid for one to three years depending on your country of issue, and you cannot renew it — you must obtain a new one.

Which countries require an IDP and which do not

The safest approach is to check the specific rules for your destination country before you book travel. Most countries publish this information on their national transport ministry website or their embassy website in your home country.

Generally, countries that do not require an IDP for short visits include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Mexico. Your home license is sufficient for tourists staying under three months. However, if you plan to stay longer, work, or relocate, the rules change — many countries require an IDP or a local license conversion even for residents.

Countries that do require an IDP include Russia, China, India, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, and several Middle Eastern nations. Some require an IDP only if your home license is not in Latin characters (the standard alphabet used in English). If your license is in Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese, or another script, an IDP becomes necessary even in countries that normally accept home licenses.

A few countries require both an IDP and a local driving permit obtained after arrival. The United Arab Emirates, for example, requires an IDP plus a local permit issued after a vision test. Always contact the destination country's embassy or consulate before travel to confirm current requirements.

How to obtain an International Driving Permit

In the United States, you obtain an IDP through the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Both are authorized by the U.S. State Department. You do not need to be a AAA member to explore through AAA, though members may pay a lower fee. The process takes one to two weeks by mail.

You will need your valid U.S. driver's license, a completed process form (available on the AAA or AATA website), a passport-style photograph, and payment. Mail these to the organization's processing center. Some AAA offices accept applications in person and issue the permit on the same day, though this varies by location — call ahead to confirm.

In Canada, the process differs by province. Most provinces issue IDPs through their provincial motor vehicle authority or through the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). In the United Kingdom, the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) issues IDPs by mail. In Australia, each state's transport authority handles IDP issuance.

Do not use online services that claim to issue IDPs for $50 or more. These are not legitimate. Scam websites create fake documents that will not be recognized by police or rental car companies. Legitimate IDPs cost $15 to $30 and come from your home country's official motor vehicle authority or an authorized travel organization.

How long an International Driving Permit lasts and when to renew

An IDP is valid for one to three years depending on your country of issue. In the United States, AAA-issued IDPs are valid for one year from the date of issue. In Canada, they are typically valid for three years. In the UK, they are valid for one year. Check your IDP document itself — the expiration date is printed on the front.

You cannot renew an IDP. When it expires, you must obtain a new one through the same process: submit a new process, provide a new photograph, and pay the fee again. Plan ahead if you travel frequently — order a new IDP before your current one expires.

Your IDP is only valid while your home country driver's license is also valid. If your home license expires, your IDP becomes invalid even if the IDP itself has not reached its expiration date. Renew your home license first, then obtain a new IDP if you still need one.

When you do not need an International Driving Permit

If you are renting a car in most Western European countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, your home license is sufficient. Rental car companies in these places accept home licenses from most countries. However, some rental companies charge a small fee if your license is not in English or Latin characters — this is not a legal requirement, but a company policy.

If you are staying for fewer than three months in most developed countries, an IDP is not legally required. However, carrying one is still a good idea because it removes any ambiguity if you are stopped by police. A police officer in a country where you do not speak the language may find an IDP helpful, even if it is not technically required.

If you are driving in your home country or in countries that have reciprocal license agreements with your home country, you do not need an IDP. For example, U.S. citizens driving in Canada do not need an IDP because the U.S. and Canada have a mutual recognition agreement for driver's licenses.

What to do if you are stopped by police without an IDP

If you are stopped by police in a country where an IDP is not required and you do not have one, you will not face a legal penalty. Your home license is sufficient. However, if you are in a country where an IDP is required and you do not have one, you may be fined, your vehicle may be impounded, or you may be prohibited from driving.

If you are stopped and realize you need an IDP, some countries allow you to obtain one locally after arrival. The process and cost vary widely. In some places, you can visit a local transport office and receive an IDP within a few days. In others, the process takes weeks or is not available to foreign visitors at all. It is far simpler to obtain an IDP before you travel.

International Driving Permit versus other travel documents

Do not confuse an IDP with a visa, travel permit, or vehicle registration document. An IDP is only about your right to drive — it does not grant you entry to a country or permission to stay. You still need a valid passport and any required visas for the country you are visiting.

If you are bringing your own vehicle across a border (not renting), you will also need an International Certificate of Motor Vehicle Registration (also called a carnet de passage) in some countries. This is a separate document that proves you own the vehicle and have permission to temporarily import it. An IDP does not cover this.

Some countries also require an International Certificate of Insurance (Green Card) to prove your vehicle is insured. Again, this is separate from an IDP. Check with your destination country's embassy to learn which documents you need for your specific trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive on an International Driving Permit without my home license?

No. An IDP is only a translation of your home license. You must carry both documents together. Driving on an IDP alone is not legal in any country and will result in a fine or vehicle impoundment if you are stopped by police.

Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Europe?

No, not for most European countries. Your home license is accepted by rental car companies in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and most other EU nations. However, some rental companies charge an extra fee if your license is not in Latin characters. Check with your rental company before you travel.

How much does an International Driving Permit cost?

In the United States, an IDP costs $15 to $20 through AAA or AATA. In Canada, it costs around $30 CAD through CAA or provincial authorities. Prices vary by country. Never pay more than $30 for a legitimate IDP. Websites charging $50 or more are scams.

Can I get an International Driving Permit on the same day?

Some AAA offices in the United States issue IDPs in person on the same day, but this is not may provide at all locations. Most processing is done by mail and takes one to two weeks. Call your local AAA office to ask if same-day issuance is available in your area.

What happens if my International Driving Permit expires while I am traveling?

If your IDP expires during your trip, you can still drive using your home license alone in most countries. However, if you are in a country that requires an IDP, you should not drive until you obtain a new one. Contact your country's embassy or consulate for guidance on obtaining an emergency replacement.