How to Get an International Driving Permit in Berkeley

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

1. In person at AAA

Berkeley has broad AAA coverage across the metro. The branches below all carry International Driving Permits, as a walk-in, same-day service:

• Alameda: 2650 5Th Str Blg-F Ste H.

• Berkeley: 1775 University Ave.

• Concord: 2095 Diamond Blvd B-135.

• Daly City: 455 Hickey Blvd 3rd Fl.

• Dublin: 4460 Tassajara Rd Ste B.

• Hayward: 1580 Chabot Ct.

• Oakland: 1982 Pleasant Valley Av#A.

• Pinole: 1202 Fitzgerald Dr.

• Pleasant Hill: 2390 Monument Blvd Ste A.

• San Francisco (Potrero Center): 2300 16th St Ste 280.

• San Francisco (Richmond District): 599 Clement St.

• San Rafael: 99 Smith Ranch Rd.

• San Ramon: 2435 San Ramon Vly Blvd#5.

• Vallejo: 1183 Admiral Callaghan Ln.

• Walnut Creek: 2971 Ygnacio Valley Rd.

Getting an IDP at a AAA branch in person is the least expensive method to get an IDP. You can typically get an IDP for $30-50 and within 30-60 minutes when you visit a AAA office. AAA branches sometimes run out of IDP booklets, so it's often a good idea to call ahead to check that they have IDPs in stock before you make the trip. Steps to obtain an IDP in person:

• Gather your driver's license, payment method, and recent passport photos (optional).

• Visit the nearest AAA location that issues IDPs (check the branch's services offered from that link) during operating hours.

• Fill out AAA's IDP application form, either ahead of time or while you wait.

• If you didn't bring passport photos, AAA can take them for you for an additional fee ($10-30, depending on the branch).

• Pay an additional $20 plus tax (sometimes assessed) for processing the IDP. Cash, check, and credit/debit cards are generally accepted.

• Be prepared to wait for the process to be completed, but after that you'll be able to walk out with your IDP.

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!