How to Get an International Driving Permit in Albany

Below are the four ways to get an official IDP if you have a US driver's license.

1. In person at AAA

There are no AAA branches issuing IDPs in Albany or the immediate metro area. Your options are AAA online, AATA online, or Fast IDP, all detailed below.

2. Online with AAA

AAA now offers an online application option through their partner govWorks, which is linked on the AAA website. Be aware: govWorks has terrible customer reviews, and customers frequently express that their IDPs are never delivered and that Customer Service is difficult to reach.

Steps to get an IDP online from AAA:

• Visit the AAA website and complete their online IDP application

• Upload a digital passport photo and your driver's license information

• Pay the application fee (currently $20 for the IDP booklet, plus $10 for photo processing, and $15-220+ for shipping)

• Wait for your IDP to be processed (5 days) and mailed to your address (an additional 3-10 days)

Processing times vary, taking at least a week, so this option works best if you're planning ahead and have a reliable mailing address.

3. Online with AATA

AATA (the American Automobile Touring Alliance) is the other organization authorized by the US government to issue IDPs to American drivers. Like AAA, AATA offers an online application process, though its website is only online 8am-5pm Friday through Tuesday. Its application page is not available all other times of the week.

Steps to get an IDP online from AATA:

• Visit the AATA website and complete their online IDP application

• Upload a digital passport photo and your driver's license information

• Submit payment for the application fee (currently $20 for the IDP booklet, plus $7 for photo processing, and $14-165 for shipping)

Similar to AAA, AATA's processing and delivery times require advance planning, typically taking 2-4 days for processing, plus shipping time (2-10 days).

4. Online with Fast IDP (that's us, a faster option for AAA-issued IDPs)

If your timeline is too short for AAA or AATA's online processing times, using Fast IDP to expedite your IDP allows you to get an IDP as soon as the next day with the peace of mind that comes with our 5.0/5.0 average customer reviews.

Steps to obtain an IDP using Fast IDP:

• Fill out the Apply page on our website. This includes taking photos of the front and back of your driver's license and uploading them on Fast IDP's secure portal, as well as taking passport-style photos of yourself (a decent selfie works).

• Submit your application and payment, which starts at $73 (all-in, including all fees and taxes), and goes up with faster processing and shipping.

• The Fast IDP team will review your documents for completeness and reach out to you if they see anything you need to adjust in your application.

• A Fast IDP team member will go to AAA on your behalf to submit your documents and then will mail your IDP to you via express courier. You'll get an email the evening your IDP is sent with your tracking information and a picture of your IDP.

Even if we can't get an IDP for you, we're always happy to help answer questions for you about IDPs.

Don't get scammed

Whatever you do, don't get scammed by a website claiming to offer an IDP instantly online. Though a company like Fast IDP can legally expedite International Driving Permits from AAA, the only organizations authorized to issue IDPs to US drivers are AAA and AATA. There is no "instant" or "digital" version of a legitimate IDP; your documents must be handled by AAA or AATA for them to issue an IDP, which is always a physical booklet.

Whether you opt for the traditional in-person method, another online option, or working with us, we wish you an easy process getting an IDP and safe driving!