How to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you’re already traveling outside the US

International Driving Permits (IDPs) are often a necessity if you want to drive while traveling outside the US since many countries require an IDP in addition to a US driver's license to drive or rent a car. It's important to understand that the US government authorizes two organizations to issue International Driving Permits to American drivers: AAA (the American Automobile Association) and AATA (the American Automobile Touring Alliance). All legitimate IDP options must go through either AAA or AATA, either directly or through an expediter like Fast IDP.

Here are the three main ways to get an IDP if you're already outside the US:

1. Online through AAA

AAA now offers an online application option that allows you to apply for your IDP remotely. This is a significant improvement over the traditional mail-only process and can work well if you have enough time before you need to drive.

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 $9 to $220+ for shipping)

• Wait for your IDP to be processed (5 days) and mailed to your international 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 abroad.

2. 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.

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 to $165 for shipping)

• Wait for processing and delivery to your location

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).

3. Online through Fast IDP (an expediter of 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 in a few as 2 days and eliminates the worry about not being able to get in touch with a customer service representative to check in about the status of your application or shipment. With our service, all you need to do is fill out your IDP application and upload your passport photo and license online. After that, the Fast IDP team will handle the submission to AAA for you and ship your IDP via express international courier.

Steps to obtain an IDP using Fast IDP:

1. 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 (at home selfies work).

2. Submit your application and payment, which starts at $127 (all-in, including all fees and taxes), and goes up with faster processing and shipping.

3. 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.

4. 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.

If you have questions, visit www.fastidp.com or contact us - we're happy to help.

Don't get scammed

Whatever you do, don't get scammed by a website claiming to offer an IDP instantly online or without involving AAA or AATA. Though a company like Fast IDP can legally expedite International Driving Permits through these authorized organizations, only AAA and AATA are authorized to issue IDPs to US drivers. There is no "instant" way to get a legitimate IDP and there's no such thing as a "digital" IDP – your documents must be physically handled by AAA or AATA in order for them to issue an IDP.

Whether you opt for getting an IDP directly from AAA or AATA, or expedited through Fast IDP, we wish you safe driving abroad!