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

The process of obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) varies based on where your driver’s license is from. The governments of almost all countries have selected one, or sometimes multiple, government agencies or automobile clubs to administer IDPs for drivers from their country. Refer to this page on the official International Driving Permit website to see what organization(s) are authorized to issue IDPs in your country.

This is why Fast IDP, as a US-based company that obtains IDPs from AAA for our customers, can only serve those with driver’s licenses from the United States. If you’re from another country, you must either work directly with the issuing agency or find a reliable expediter that can help you get an IDP.

The backstory on why all this is the case is that it’s part of the rules that were laid out for issuing IDPs at the 1949 United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport. A few other things to keep in mind that come from the rules laid out at that conference, and the subsequent conference in 1968:

Typical things needed to apply for an IDP in any country:

A valid domestic driver's license
Passport-sized photos (digital photos are accepted in countries in which the official issuer has an online application process, though beware that most websites offering online IDPs are scams)
Application form from your local issuing authority
Application fee (costs vary by country)
Proof of identity

Common characteristics of real IDPs from all countries:

Valid for 1 year from countries that issue IDPs according to the rules of the 1949 convention (like the US), and up to 3 years from countries that issue IDPs according to the rules of the 1968 convention - many scam IDPs claim to be valid for up to 10 years, which is a clear sign that they are not issuing legitimate IDPs
Must be used alongside your official non-expired driver's license
Issued as a physical booklet - “digital only” IDPs do not exist; it would be like having a digital copy of your driver’s license instead of the physical card