What Is an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an official document that translates your home driver's licence information into multiple languages. It is not a standalone licence — it is always used alongside your valid domestic licence, not instead of it. Think of it as a certified translation booklet that foreign authorities, police, and car rental agents can read without a language barrier.
International Driving Permit (IDP)
An official multilingual translation of your domestic driver's licence, issued under international treaty frameworks. It must always be carried alongside your valid home licence, never used independently.
Geneva Convention (1949)
An international treaty governing road traffic that established the IDP framework used by many countries, including the United States. Countries must be signatories for an IDP issued under it to be legally valid there.
Vienna Convention (1968)
A later international road-traffic treaty that updated IDP standards. Some countries recognize IDPs issued under this convention instead of or in addition to the 1949 Geneva Convention.
Issuing Authority
The organisation officially authorised by a government to issue IDPs to residents. In the US, only AAA and AATA are authorised by the Department of State.
IDPs are issued under the framework of the 1949 Geneva Convention or the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. Most countries that require an IDP accept the document issued under one or both conventions. Your issuing country and destination country each need to be signatories to the same convention for the IDP to carry legal weight — something worth checking before you travel.
When and Where You Actually Need One
| IDP validity period (US-issued) | 1 year from date of issue (AAA and AATA standard terms) |
| Minimum age to apply (US) | 18 years old |
| US authorised issuers | AAA and AATA only (US Department of State) |
| Documents required | Valid US licence + 2 passport photos + application form |
| Used alone (without home licence)? | No — always paired with your valid domestic licence |
| EU requirement for US travellers | Generally not legally required; verify with rental companies (Varies by country and provider) |
The need for an IDP depends on your destination country's specific road-traffic laws, not on any universal rule. In general, you are most likely to need an IDP when:
- Your home licence is written in a non-Latin script (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Cyrillic).
- Your destination country's laws legally require foreign drivers to carry one regardless of licence script.
- A car rental company's policy mandates it, even where local law does not.
Countries commonly cited as requiring or strongly recommending IDPs include Japan, Greece, Thailand, and several countries across Southeast Asia, Central America, and parts of Africa and the Middle East. However, rules change, and enforcement varies. Always verify current requirements through the destination country's official transport authority or your government's travel advisory service before you depart.
Watch Out for Fraudulent IDP Websites
Dozens of unofficial websites sell documents labelled as IDPs, sometimes at higher prices than the legitimate issuers. These documents are not recognised by foreign police or rental companies and could create legal problems abroad. In the US, only AAA and AATA are authorised by the Department of State to issue valid IDPs — apply exclusively through them.
Within the European Union, a US driver's licence is generally accepted for short-term visits, and an IDP is not legally required — though some rental companies may ask for one. The UK also generally accepts US licences for short-term driving, but confirm the latest guidance with official sources.
How to Get an IDP in the United States
In the United States, IDPs are issued by two organisations authorised by the US Department of State: the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). No other entity is legally authorised to issue a valid US IDP — be cautious of third-party websites claiming otherwise, as fraudulent IDP documents are widely reported and will not be recognised by foreign authorities.
150+
Countries where IDPs are recognised
IDPs issued under the 1949 or 1968 conventions are recognised in over 150 countries, though requirements differ by destination.
12 languages
Languages in a standard IDP
A US IDP translates your licence details into 12 languages, helping foreign authorities and rental agents read your credentials.
To obtain a US IDP, you typically need to:
- Be at least 18 years old and hold a valid US driver's licence.
- Complete the application form provided by AAA or AATA.
- Submit two passport-size photos.
- Pay the applicable fee (fees are set by the issuing organisation and subject to change).
Processing is usually quick — often same-day at a AAA branch — but applying at least a few weeks before departure is advisable. US IDPs are valid for one year from the date of issue and cannot be renewed; you apply for a new one when needed. You must carry both the IDP and your original US licence whenever you drive abroad.
This article provides general information only. Travel requirements, rental policies, and road-traffic laws vary by country and change over time. Always verify current rules with the relevant official government sources and your rental provider before traveling.
