Already in Europe Without an IDP? How to Get One Sent

Quick answer: There is nowhere in Europe to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) for a US license in person, because it has to be issued in the US. That is fine: you can apply online from where you are and have a genuine permit shipped to you anywhere in Europe, then drive once it is in your hands.

This page is for travelers already in Italy, Spain, Greece or elsewhere in Europe who just found out they need an IDP. If you are still planning, start with our IDP requirements map instead.

Why you can't get one in Europe

• AAA says: "Another country cannot issue an IDP to be used in conjunction with a US driver's license. An IDP accompanying a US driver's license can only be issued in the USA."

• The State Department's Greece page says the US Embassy there does not issue IDPs, and that you must get yours in the United States from AAA or AATA.

• AAA and AATA are the only two organizations authorized by the State Department to issue IDPs. A "digital IDP" or "international driver's license" sold online is not a real permit. USA.gov warns that many of these sites "are fraudulent." Our post on how to avoid fake IDPs explains what to look out for.

What the rules say where you are

Each country sets its own rules, and our country pages cover them. Two examples:

• Greece: The State Department says Greek law requires visitors to carry a valid US driver's license and an IDP, "even if the rental company does not request to see your IDP." Official sources differ on Greece, and our Greece page explains how. Carrying an IDP is the safe choice.

• Spain: The State Department says you must have an IDP to rent a car, and that police who catch you without one "might impound your rental car." Spain's traffic authority (DGT) also accepts a foreign license that comes with an official translation. See our Spain page.

For Italy, see our Italy page and Do I need an international driving permit in Italy? For every other country, check the map.

If you arrived without an IDP, you have not missed your chance. A genuine permit can be shipped to your hotel, rental or another address anywhere in Europe.

Your options from Europe

AAA online

AAA says people who are already overseas can apply online. The fee is the $20 permit fee, a $10 passport photo fee and shipping. AAA asks you to allow 5 business days for processing, plus return shipping.

AAA by mail

You can also mail an application from overseas to AAA's office in Heathrow, Florida. AAA asks you to allow 5 to 7 weeks for return mail, which is too slow for most trips.

AATA online

AATA says you can apply from outside the US as long as you have a valid US license. Its fee is $20 plus a $9 photo processing fee and shipping. AATA asks you to allow 2 to 4 business days for processing, before shipping. For international delivery, AATA lists Standard International (6 to 10 business days) at $69 and Priority International (3 to 5 business days) at $99, or $165 to some countries, such as Poland, Hungary and Romania. AATA is currently not shipping to Albania, the Czech Republic, Montenegro or Turkey. Our post on AATA vs AAA compares the two.

Fast IDP (that's us)

Fast IDP is an independent service that is not affiliated with AAA, AATA or any government. You enter your details online, we fill in the AAA application for you, take it to a AAA office, and ship the genuine AAA-issued booklet to you anywhere in the world. International delivery typically takes 2 to 5 business days on the fastest option. The all-in price for one IDP is from $63, which includes AAA's $20 permit fee and tax. You need a valid US driver's license to use our service.

To be upfront: Fast IDP is generally not a less expensive choice than applying with AAA or AATA directly. What we offer is speed and reliability when you can't get to a AAA branch. A branch in person is cheaper, but that only helps if you are back in the US. If speed matters, you can apply here.

Getting it delivered in Europe

• Ship to a place you will still be at when the package arrives, such as a hotel later in your trip. Ask the front desk first whether it will accept a package for you.

• Leave some margin. AATA notes that international transit times can vary because of customs delays, weather and local conditions.

Our post on where to have your IDP shipped while traveling covers hotels, friends and carrier pickup locations in more detail.

While you wait

• Do not drive until the permit is in your hands.

• Ask your rental company if you can move the pickup date instead of cancelling.

• When you do drive, carry your IDP and your US driver's license together. AAA calls the IDP "only a translation of the license, not a license to drive." In Spain, the DGT says to carry your passport with them too.

• USA.gov says an IDP is valid for one year and cannot be renewed.

For applying from anywhere outside Europe, see how to get an IDP if you're already traveling outside the US.

Sources, checked November 11, 2026: AAA, International Driving Permit; AATA, FAQs; AATA, Application and Shipping; USA.gov, International Driving Permits; US State Department, Greece travel information; US State Department, Spain travel information; DGT (Spain), Conducir con un permiso extranjero.