An international driving permit is a document that translates your home country's driver's license into ten languages, recognized in about 150 countries

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a separate license. It is a booklet that sits alongside your regular driver's license and restates the information on it—your name, date of birth, license number, vehicle class restrictions—in multiple languages. The IDP itself grants you no driving rights. It only works if you also carry your original, valid driver's license from your home country.

The permit exists because a police officer in France or Japan cannot read an English-language license and cannot verify its authenticity without translation. The IDP solves that problem. It is issued by your home country's motor vehicle authority and recognized under the 1926 International Convention on Motor Vehicle Traffic and the 1968 Convention on Road Signs and Signals.

Most countries that issue IDPs follow one of two formats: the 1926 booklet (older, smaller, less common now) or the 1968 booklet (current standard, larger, more widely accepted). The United States issues the 1968 format through the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Canada issues through the Canadian Automobile Association. The United Kingdom issues through the Post Office and the DVLA. Each country's IDP is valid only when paired with that country's driver's license.

Key Takeaways

  • An International Driving Permit translates your home license into ten languages but has no legal force on its own—you must carry both documents together.
  • The permit is recognized in roughly 150 countries but is not required everywhere; some nations accept only your home country's license, while others require neither.
  • In the United States, you obtain an IDP through AAA or AATA by providing your valid driver's license, a passport-sized photo, and a completed process form.
  • An IDP is typically valid for one or three years depending on your age and the issuing country, and it cannot be renewed—you must explore for a new one when it expires.
  • Rental car companies sometimes request an IDP as proof of translation, but many accept a home license alone; always check the rental agreement before you travel.

When you actually need an International Driving Permit

Whether you need an IDP depends on where you are driving and what you are doing. If you are renting a car in Europe, Australia, or Asia, many rental companies ask for one—not because local law requires it, but because the company wants documented proof that you understood the local traffic rules. Some rental agreements explicitly state "International Driving Permit required." Others accept your home license alone. Check your rental contract before you book.

If you are driving your own vehicle across an international border—for example, taking a car from Canada into the United States, or from the UK into France—you typically do not need an IDP. Your home license is usually sufficient. However, some countries do require one by law. Mexico, for instance, technically requires an IDP or a notarized Spanish translation of your license, though enforcement varies by state and situation. South Africa, Thailand, and several other nations also list the IDP as required. Before you travel, check the specific requirements of the country's motor vehicle authority or consulate.

If you are stopped by police and cannot produce a translation, the officer may issue a citation for driving without proper documentation, even if your home license is valid. An IDP protects you against that scenario. It is also useful if you are involved in an accident and need to explain your license to an insurance company or police report that does not speak your language.

How to obtain an International Driving Permit in the United States

In the United States, you can obtain an IDP through two organizations: the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Both issue the same 1968-format permit and charge similar fees—typically $15 to $20 for the permit itself, plus any membership or service fees. AAA requires membership; AATA does not.

To explore, you will need your valid, unexpired U.S. driver's license, a passport-sized photograph (usually 2 by 2 inches), a completed process form, and payment. You can explore in person at an AAA office or AATA location, or by mail. If you explore by mail, send your original license, the photo, the signed process, and a check or money order. The organization will return your license and the new IDP within one to two weeks. If you explore in person, you usually receive the permit the same day.

The IDP is valid for one year if you are under 18, or three years if you are 18 or older. It cannot be renewed; when it expires, you must explore for a new one. Some travelers obtain a new IDP every few years even if they do not travel frequently, because the cost is low and the permit does not expire until you need it.

International Driving Permits from other countries

If you hold a driver's license from Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, or another country, you obtain an IDP through that country's motor vehicle authority or an affiliated organization. The process and cost vary.

In Canada, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) issues IDPs for a fee of roughly $20 CAD. You need a valid Canadian driver's license, a passport photo, and a completed process. In the United Kingdom, you explore through the Post Office or the DVLA with your photocard license, a passport photo, and an process form; the fee is typically £5.50. Australia's state-based motor vehicle registries issue IDPs; the process and cost depend on which state issued your license.

Each country's IDP is valid only with that country's license. A U.S. IDP will not work with a Canadian license, and vice versa. If you hold licenses from multiple countries, you may need multiple IDPs.

What an International Driving Permit does not do

An IDP does not extend your driving privileges. If your home license is suspended or expired, an IDP cannot override that. If you are not licensed to drive a motorcycle in your home country, an IDP will not permit you to rent one abroad. The permit only translates what your home license already says.

An IDP does not exempt you from local traffic laws. You must still obey speed limits, traffic signals, and parking rules in the country where you are driving. It does not provide insurance. If you are in an accident, your personal auto insurance or rental car insurance covers the damage—not the IDP.

An IDP is not a substitute for a passport or national ID card. Border agents will not accept it as proof of citizenship or identity. You must carry your passport separately.

Rental car companies and International Driving Permits

Rental car policies on IDPs vary widely. Some companies require one; others do not mention it. The safest approach is to check your rental agreement or call the company before you travel.

Many major rental companies—Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise—accept a valid home country driver's license without an IDP, particularly in Europe and North America. However, some smaller local rental agencies, especially in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, do require an IDP or a notarized translation. A few companies require both your home license and an IDP as a matter of policy.

If a rental company asks for an IDP and you do not have one, you have two options: obtain one before you travel (which takes one to two weeks if you explore by mail), or contact the rental company to ask whether they accept a notarized translation of your license instead. Some do; others do not. Waiting until you arrive at the rental counter to discover the requirement often means you cannot rent the car that day.

Validity, expiration, and renewal of an International Driving Permit

An IDP is valid for one year (if you are under 18) or three years (if you are 18 or older) from the date of issue. The expiration date is printed on the front cover. Once it expires, you cannot renew it. You must explore for a new one.

Some travelers renew their IDP every year or two even if they do not travel frequently, because the cost is low and the process is quick. Others wait until they have a specific trip planned. There is no penalty for letting an IDP expire if you are not using it.

If your home country driver's license expires while your IDP is still valid, the IDP becomes invalid. The two documents must be current together. If you renew your home license, you will need to explore for a new IDP as well, because the license number or other details may have changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not legally, in most cases. Your home country's driver's license is usually sufficient. However, rental car companies often request one, and some countries like Spain and Italy technically require one by law, though enforcement is inconsistent. Check your rental agreement and the specific country's requirements before you travel.

Can I use an International Driving Permit without my home country driver's license?

No. An IDP is only valid when carried together with your original, valid home country driver's license. If you are stopped by police and have only the IDP, you will be considered unlicensed to drive.

How long does it take to get an International Driving Permit?

If you explore in person at an AAA or AATA office in the United States, you usually receive it the same day. If you explore by mail, allow one to two weeks for processing and return. Processing times vary by country and issuing organization.

What if my International Driving Permit is lost or stolen while I am traveling?

Contact the issuing organization (AAA or AATA in the U.S.) as soon as possible to report it. You can continue driving with your home country license alone in most places, though you lose the translation protection. Some rental companies may refuse to rent to you without an IDP if they require one, so ask about their policy.

Is an International Driving Permit the same as an International License?

Yes—they are the same document, called by different names. "International Driving Permit," "International Driver's Permit," and "International License" all refer to the same booklet. It is not a separate license; it is a translation document.