Do I need a motorcycle license or International Driving Permit to ride a scooter or motorcycle abroad?

If you’re traveling outside the US, riding a scooter or motorcycle can be a fun way to get around, but make sure you plan ahead and get a motorcycle license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you need one.

Guidelines to determine if you’ll need a motorcycle license and/or an IDP to ride a motorcycle or scooter while traveling

Whether or not you will need a motorcycle license and/or an IDP depends on the laws of the particular country where you will be riding, so there are no universal rules about when you’ll need them. However, here are some guidelines to help you determine wat you’ll need for your trip:

1. Engine size: If you’ll be riding a motorcycle or a average scooter (50cc or more), you will almost certainly need at least a motorcycle license issued by your home country (which is the United States for most of our readers). If you are only going to be driving on a small moped or scooter (less than 50 cc), you may be able to ride legally without having to get a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license, but you need to check with the regulations in the country where you will be riding.

2. Country’s overall IDP policies: This is the crux of what will determine whether or not you will need an IDP when riding motorcycle or scooter. Over 150 countries recognize International Driving Permits, and it is always best to check directly on a government website for the place where you will be riding or with your embassy in that country. There are some countries, particularly in Southeast Asia and Europe where a rental company may not ask you for an IDP to rent your scooter or motorcycle, but a police officer may fine you for not having one if you are stopped. It’s always best to check on the regulations and abide by whatever is officially required.

   
   

I've learned a lot about different country's policies regarding International Driving Permits from my 9 international motorcycle trips across 5 continents. I got a love for motorcycle riding from my dad, pictured here with me on our first international motorcycle trip together.

If you have a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license, make sure your IDP indicates it

If you are in a country that requires an IDP as a supplement to your driver’s license, make sure your IDP indicates that you have a motorcycle endorsement. You cannot have a motorcycle endorsement on your IDP if you do not have a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license. To make sure that you have the stamp for motorcycle driving on your IDP, be sure to check the associated box on your IDP application form, whether you’re filling it out on our website or on the pdf version of the form directly from AAA.

Beware of scams pedaling fraudulent IDPs

If you have a US-issued driver’s license, AAA is the only entity authorized by the US government to issue you an International Driving Permit. Unfortunately, numerous websites claim to offer “international driver’s permits” or “international driver’s licenses.” These documents are scams and are not official International Driving Permits. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken action against several companies involved in these scams. You can read more about it in our blog post on the topic here. By contract, Fast IDP is an expediter of official AAA International Driving Permits, so you will be getting an official IDP if you use our services.

How to Get an IDP

1. In person at AAA

The least expensive method to get an IDP is to visit a AAA location in person. While this option is the most time consuming, if you arrive an hour before AAA closes, you will be able to get an IDP the same day.

Steps to obtain an IDP in person:

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

• Find a nearby AAA location and visit 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 $10-30 fee, depending on the branch.

• Pay $20 for processing the IDP – cash, check, and credit/debit card are accepted.

• Be prepared to wait up to 2 hours for the process to be completed, but after that you should be able to walk out with your IDP.

2. Online through AAA/govWorks

AAA now offers an online application option through their partner govWorks, which is linked on the AAA website. Though this can work, govWorks has terrible customer reviews (scan for IDP reviews) and customers have repeatedly come to us after they're frustrated by this company or their IDPs aren't delivered.

Steps to get an IDP online from AAA:

• Apply: visit the AAA website and complete the online IDP application, hosted by govWorks. Upload a digital passport photo and photos of the front and back of your driver's license

• Pay: ~$40-$260 ($20 for the IDP booklet, plus $10 for photo processing, and ~$10 to $220+ for shipping)

• Wait: 7-15 business days (5 for processing, 2-10 for shipping)

3. Online through AATA

AATA (the American Automobile Touring Alliance) is the second organization authorized by the US government to issue IDPs to American drivers. Like AAA, AATA offers an online application process, though is significantly more reliable based on what we have heard.

Steps to get an IDP online from AATA:

• Apply: Visit the AATA website and complete their online IDP application. Upload a digital passport photo and photos of the front and back of your driver's license

• Pay: $41-192 (currently $20 for the IDP booklet, plus $7 for photo processing, and $14 to $165 for shipping)

• Wait: 6-14 business days (up to 4 for processing, 2-10 for shipping)

4. Online through Fast IDP (a faster option for AAA-issued IDPs)

If your timeline is too short to apply online through AAA or AATA, 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 average customer reviews.

Steps to obtain an IDP using Fast IDP:

1. Apply: Follow the link to fill out the application on our website. Upload a digital passport photo (selfie are okay) and photos of the front and back of your driver's license. 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.

2. Pay: $84-234 (all-in, including all fees and taxes). Our base price is higher because we have to pay AAA $20 for the permit from them and go to their offices for processing.

3. Wait: We'll delivery your IDP to you as soon as the next business day for US addresses. For international addresses, the fastest delivery timeline is typically 2-5 business days, depending on where your IDP is going. Reach out to us directly if you'd like to know how long it will take to get to your destination. After you apply, you'll get an email the evening your IDP is sent with your tracking information and a picture of your IDP.

   
   

I've rented or owned everything from the dinkiest 50cc scooter (pictured above 😆) to a full touring motorcycle, and know first hand about how variable the enforcement of IDPs can be around the world.

Final Thoughts

We hope you found this short post useful and that you enjoy riding you 2-wheeler while you’re traveling. Don’t forget to check if you’ll need a motorcycle license and/or an IDP when riding abroad!

If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to us at Fast IDP – we’re happy to help!