Everything You Need to Know About International Driving Permits for US Drivers

In this short guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about if and when you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP), whether you’re planning a road trip across Europe or renting a car in Japan.

What is an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

An International Driving Permit is an official document that translates your US driver's license into multiple languages, allowing you to drive legally in over 150 countries when accompanied by your US driver’s license.

When Do You Need an IDP?

An IDP is legally required in most countries; refer to this map to see if an IDP is required in the country where you’re planning to drive. While not required in every country, an IDP is highly recommended for international travel, especially in non-English-speaking nations. Some car rental agencies insist on it.

An IDP is valid for one year for US drivers. It cannot be renewed, so plan accordingly to get another IDP if your trip extends beyond this period. Since the IDP is not a standalone document, you cannot drive internationally if your US driver's license is expired, even if your IDP is not.

How to Obtain an IDP

See our posts about how to get an IDP for detailed information for your circumstances, but the general process is straightforward:

• Choose your method: The only organizations in the US authorized to issue IDPs in the US are the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). You can obtain an IDP directly from a local AAA office, online through AAA or AATA, or through Fast IDP, which is an expediter that obtains official IDPs through AAA and processes and delivers them faster than AAA can. Make sure that you don't get a fake IDP with a scam company that claims to provide digital IDPs or any IDPs that are not issued by AAA or AATA.

• Complete the Application: Fill out the application, providing pictures of the front and back of your driver’s license, passport-sized photos of yourself, and the required fee.

• Allow Sufficient Processing Time: Make sure you give yourself enough time for the processing method you choose, as processing times may vary.

Spotting Scams: Protect Yourself

Scams related to IDPs are all over the internet. Legitimate IDPs can only be issued by AAA or AATA in the United States, so either work directly with them or with Fast IDP, which obtains IDPs directly from AAA. As of the writing of this article, all other websites claiming to issue IDPs for Americans are scams – avoid sharing your personal information or payment information with them.

Conclusion

An International Driving Permit opens up a world of possibilities for exploration, but it’s important to plan ahead to make sure that you get your IDP by the time you need to drive. Make sure you give yourself enough time before you need to drive, and have a great trip!