How to get an International Driving Permit in the US (2026)
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The short answer
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a booklet that translates your US driver's license. Only two organizations can issue one to US drivers: AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). The permit itself costs $20 at both, plus photo and shipping fees for online orders. It is valid for one year, cannot be renewed, and works only when you carry it with your valid US license. Facts on this page were checked in October 2026 on the official pages linked below.
What an IDP is
An IDP is not a driver's license. It is a standard document under the United Nations 1949 Convention on Road Traffic that repeats the details of your license in several languages. AATA's permit covers nine: English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Italian, German, Arabic, Swedish and French (AATA). Police abroad and car rental desks use it to read your license.
The federal government's own summary says the IDP "translates your identifying information into different languages" and that you should "carry both your IDP and driver's license" (International driver's license, USA.gov). On its own, the booklet does not let you drive anywhere, and it gives no driving privileges inside the United States.
No test is required. If your US license is valid, you qualify on the driving side. If your license is suspended, revoked or temporary, an IDP will not fix that.
Where you need one
There is no single list that settles this for every trip. The State Department says some countries accept a US license, while "in many others, you must have an International Driving Permit" (Driving and road safety, U.S. Department of State). Check the "Travel and Transportation" part of your destination's country page on travel.state.gov, then check the rental company's terms.
A few examples from State Department country pages:
| Country | What the State Department says |
|---|---|
| Japan | Short-term visitors must have an IDP from AAA or AATA, obtained before arrival. IDPs from other organizations are not valid there. |
| Spain | Get an IDP before arrival if you plan to drive. Rental companies require one, and police can impound the car and fine you on the spot without it. |
| Canada and Mexico | US citizens visiting do not need an IDP to drive (per USA.gov). |
For parts of Latin America, AAA also issues the Inter-American Driving Permit (IADP), under a separate Organization of American States convention. AAA's application notes that Brazil and Uruguay honor only the IADP (AAA IDP/IADP application). Ask the destination's consulate which one it accepts before you order.
The only two US issuers
The State Department tells travelers to get an IDP from AAA or AATA before the trip. USA.gov states the same: these two are authorized by the State Department, and other sites claiming to issue IDPs are often fraudulent. US embassies and consulates abroad do not issue IDPs.
You do not need to be a AAA member. Eligibility at both:
- Age 18 or older
- A valid, permanent driver's license from a US state or territory
- For AATA, permanent residence in the US or a US territory; US citizenship is not required
How to apply: cost, photos, timing
AAA offers three routes; AATA works online only. Fees below were listed on each issuer's pages in October 2026:
| Route | What you send | Cost | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAA, in person at a branch | Application, two original passport photos (branches sell them), your license | $20; sales tax may apply | Same visit at many branches; AAA says to visit a branch if you need it in 7 business days or less. Call first: not every office offers IDPs. |
| AAA, by mail | Signed application, two passport photos signed on the back, photocopy of both sides of your license, check or money order payable to AAA | $20, plus optional expedited return postage | Not stated for US addresses; 5 to 7 weeks for return mail when applying from abroad |
| AAA, online (AAA-IDP.com) | Digital photo taken with a phone, images of both sides of your license | $20 + $10 photo fee + shipping | About 5 business days, plus shipping |
| AATA, online only | Digital headshot, images of both sides of your license | $20 + $9 photo processing + shipping ($16 domestic Priority Mail; $37 express; $69 to $165 international) | 2 to 4 business days, plus shipping |
Sources: AAA International Driving Permit, AATA application.
A few details that trip people up:
- Photos. For paper applications, AAA wants two identical, recent 2x2 inch passport-type photos, signed on the back. AATA wants an original digital image, not a scan of a printed photo and not a photo of your passport.
- Name and address. Print your name exactly as it appears on your license. AATA asks for the place of residence shown on the license, even if you have moved.
- Vehicle class. Tick the classes that match your license. Motorcycle or larger-vehicle validation needs the same endorsement on your US license.
- Paper only. AAA states that IDPs are printed and mailed; there is no digital version.
Validity and when to apply
An IDP is valid for one year from its issue date and cannot be renewed; you apply again for a new one. AAA notes the permit is valid only as long as your state license is, and AATA asks that your license stay valid at least one month past the IDP's start date.
You choose the start date. Both issuers will not issue a permit more than six months before the date it begins. In practice:
- 6 weeks to 6 months out: apply by mail or online and set the start date to your departure day.
- 1 to 2 weeks out: use AATA online with express shipping, or go to a AAA branch in person.
- Before the flight: check that the name on the IDP, your license and your passport match.
Fake "international driver's licenses"
Ads and search results offer "international driver's licenses," often with promises that they replace a suspended license or protect you from tickets. No such license exists. In an earlier enforcement sweep, the Federal Trade Commission charged sellers who marketed these documents as legal substitutes for state licenses and warned that buyers could face arrest for driving without a valid license (FTC press release).
USA.gov warns that many sites claiming to issue IDPs "may try to scam you out of money or personal information." Warning signs:
- The seller is not AAA or AATA, or uses a name built to look like them
- Validity of more than one year, or a "digital IDP"
- Claims that it works without a US license, or as photo ID in the US
- Requests for your Social Security number
If you are moving abroad for good
An IDP is designed for visitors. Once you become a resident, most countries expect you to get a local license, usually within a set period after you register or receive your residence permit. The State Department's Japan page is a clear example: a foreign license alone is not valid for residents, an IDP issued while you are in Japan is not acceptable, and the police decide who counts as a resident.
Depending on the country, getting a local license can mean:
- A direct exchange, where you hand in or show your US license. Some countries have agreements with specific US states only, so your state of licensing matters.
- A partial test, such as a written exam or eye test.
- The full process, including driving school, theory and practical tests.
Ask the national licensing authority, or check the US embassy's page for that country, before you move. Exchanges often ask for a certified driving record from your state, sometimes with an apostille and a translation; our guide to getting an apostille in the US covers that step. Keep your US license valid if you can, since you will need it on visits home.
Your IDP, license, passport and visa papers travel together. A zippered document folder keeps them in one place in a carry-on. See document folders on Amazon
Packing the rest of the move? Our guide to travel adapters for Europe covers plug types, voltage and USB-C wattage.