International Driving Permit: What It Is, Who Needs One and How to Get It

An international driving permit (IDP) is an official translation of your national driving licence. It lets police and rental companies abroad read your licence details in several languages. It is not a licence on its own, and it is only valid when you carry it together with your home licence.

Whether you need one depends on the country you are visiting, how long you stay and sometimes the rental company. Some countries require it by law. Others do not, but individual rental desks still ask for it.

Because the permit is cheap and quick to get at home but usually impossible to get once you are abroad, it is worth sorting out before you travel.

1. What an International Driving Permit Is

An IDP is a small booklet that shows your name, photo and licence categories in a standard format and in multiple languages. It follows a format set by United Nations road traffic conventions.

• It translates your licence; it does not replace it.
• It is only valid with your original, valid home licence.
• It does not let you drive if your home licence is suspended or expired.
• It does not change the local rules on age or licence categories.

2. When You Might Need One

There is no single global rule. Requirements depend on the country, your licence and the length of your stay.

• Some countries require an IDP by law for visitors with certain foreign licences.
• Some accept your licence alone if it is in English or another accepted language.
• Some require an official translation of a different type instead of, or as well as, an IDP.
• Rental companies can set stricter rules than the law, so check the rental terms too.

Countries in Europe and Asia frequently appear on lists of places where visitors with US licences should carry an IDP, but rules differ even between neighbouring countries. Check the official sources for your exact destination before you go, including the US State Department country pages.

3. How US Drivers Get an IDP

In the United States, International Driving Permits are issued only by two organisations: AAA (the American Automobile Association) and AATA (the American Automobile Touring Alliance). No other company is authorised to issue them.

Typical requirements include:

• A valid US driving licence.
• Being at least 18 years old.
• Passport-style photos.
• A completed application form and the issuing fee.

You can usually apply in person at an AAA office, where it can often be issued the same day, or by post. Allow extra time for postal applications, especially close to your trip.

If you live outside the US, IDPs are normally issued by an authorised motoring organisation or government office in the country that issued your licence. Check your national transport authority for the correct issuer.

4. The 1949 and 1968 Conventions in Plain Terms

IDPs are based on international road traffic conventions. The two most often mentioned are the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention.

• Countries signed different conventions, and some accept permits issued under only one of them.
• The convention your permit follows depends on the country that issues it.
• A permit issued in the US follows the 1949 convention.
• Some destinations specify which convention they accept, so check before you travel.

You do not need to understand the treaties in detail. What matters is that the permit you carry is accepted at your destination.

5. How Long an IDP Is Valid

A US-issued IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue, or until your home licence expires if that is sooner. You cannot extend it; you apply for a new one.

• Check the issue date if you got a permit for an earlier trip.
• Some countries also limit how long a visitor can drive on a foreign licence and IDP before needing a local licence.
• If you are moving abroad or staying long term, an IDP is usually not a long-term solution.

6. Beware of Fake "International Licences"

Many websites sell so-called international driver's licences or international driving documents. These are not official IDPs.

• They are not recognised by police or rental companies.
• They may be presented as a replacement for a suspended licence, which is a clear warning sign.
• Some charge high fees for a document with no legal value.
• In the US, if the issuer is not AAA or AATA, it is not an official IDP.

Using a fake document abroad can lead to fines, refusal at the rental desk or problems with insurance after an accident.

7. Using Your IDP at the Rental Desk and on the Road

Once you have the permit, carry it with you whenever you drive.

• Keep the IDP, your home licence and your passport together.
• Show both the licence and the IDP at the rental counter if asked.
• Carry them in the car, not left behind where you are staying, in case of a traffic stop.
• Make sure the names on all three documents match exactly.

Common IDP Mistakes

• Assuming your licence alone is enough without checking the destination rules.
• Leaving the application until the last few days before departure.
• Buying an online "international licence" instead of an official IDP.
• Carrying the IDP but forgetting the home licence.
• Using an expired permit from a previous trip.
• Forgetting that every additional driver needs their own licence and permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an international driving permit the same as an international driver's licence?

No. There is no official international driver's licence. The official document is the International Driving Permit, which only translates your national licence and must be carried with it.

Can I get an IDP after I arrive abroad?

Usually not. IDPs are issued by the country that issued your licence, so you need to apply before you leave home. In the US that means AAA or AATA.

How long does an IDP last?

A US-issued IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. It is also only valid while your home licence is valid.

Do rental companies always ask for an IDP?

Not always, but some do even where the law does not require one. Read the rental terms for your booking and carry a permit if there is any doubt.

Do I need an IDP if my licence is in English?

Sometimes not, but some countries require one regardless of the language of your licence. Check the official rules for each country you will drive in.

Get Ready to Drive with FlyZafy

When your permit is sorted, you can rent a car on FlyZafy by searching your pick-up place and dates. At checkout the name on the card you enter must be the main driver's, and a confirmation PDF is emailed to you.

For the rest of your preparation, read our guide to renting a car abroad, which covers age limits, deposits, insurance and returns.

Official Resources

• US Department of State, travel information and country pages
• AAA, American Automobile Association
• American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
• The transport authority or embassy of your destination country

Disclaimer

This article is general information, not legal advice. Licence and permit requirements depend on your nationality, your licence and your destination, and they can change. Always confirm the current rules with the official authorities of the country you will drive in and with your rental company before you travel.