By the International Drivers Association editorial desk, written from 20+ years of cross-border driving across 64 countries and four continents. Last updated: June 2026.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a booklet that translates your national driver's licence into multiple languages and certifies your driving credentials under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. You do not earn it through a driving test: you obtain it through a verification and issuance process tied to a national licence you already hold. This guide walks the full process from licence check to delivery, for US licence holders first and then for drivers holding non-US licences.
How to get an International Driving Permit in six steps
The process at a glance
Step | What you do | What you need |
|---|---|---|
1. Confirm eligibility | Check your licence is full, unexpired, and not suspended | A valid national driver's licence |
2. Gather documents | Prepare a licence scan and a recent photo | Colour scan (front + back) + passport-style photo |
3. Choose a trusted provider | Verify the provider checks your licence and is transparent about what you're buying | 5 red-flag checks (below) |
4. Apply online | Complete the form — about 2 minutes | Licence details + uploads + digital signature |
5. Pay | One flat fee covers booklet, digital copy, and shipping | A debit/credit card |
6. Receive your IDP | Digital copy in as little as 8 minutes; printed booklet by mail | A valid email + shipping address |
What is an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit is a multilingual translation of a national driver's licence, issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic to certify that the holder is authorised to drive in their home country. It is accepted in 150+ countries and is presented alongside the original national licence — never as a replacement.
The IDP is a booklet with a photograph, the holder's signature, and translated licence categories. It carries no independent driving privileges: if the underlying national licence is suspended, expired, or revoked, the IDP becomes void on the same date.
How do I get an International Driving Permit step by step?
Step 1: Confirm your national licence is valid
The IDP only translates an active national licence. Before applying, confirm three conditions: your licence is unexpired, not suspended, and was issued by a competent state or national driver-licensing authority. US applicants need a licence issued by a state DMV (or DC, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, or Guam). Drivers with provisional, learner's, or temporary permits are not eligible — the full criteria are in the IDP eligibility requirements guide.
Step 2: Gather your application documents
The IDA application asks for two documents plus a signature: a clear colour scan of the front and back of your national driver's licence, a passport-style photograph (white background, head-and-shoulders, no glasses, no head coverings except for religious purposes), and your digital signature on the form. You'll also need a valid email address for digital delivery. A full checklist with format and size specifications is in the documents required for an IDP application guide.
Step 3: Choose a trusted provider
Not every website selling international driving documents is legitimate. Before handing over your licence details and payment, run five checks:
- The product is called an "International Driving Permit" — be wary of any provider selling an "International Driver's License" as a standalone credential; an IDP is a translation document, not a licence, and a provider should say so plainly.
- A matching national licence is required. Any provider that will issue without verifying a valid licence from the same country is operating fraudulently.
- The provider states clearly what you are buying — a translation of your existing licence, with no claim to government-agency status.
- Transparent, flat pricing with no surprise "processing taxes" at checkout.
- Verifiable customer reviews on an independent platform.
The International Drivers Association meets all five: applications are verified against the national licence presented, pricing is published openly, and what you're purchasing is stated plainly in the legal disclaimer on every page.
Step 4: Submit the online application
The IDA online application takes about 2 minutes. You enter your full legal name as printed on your national licence, date of birth, residential address, licence number, issue and expiration dates, and the issuing authority. Upload the licence scan and the passport photo, attach your digital signature, then select your validity term — 1 to 3 years — and a digital-only or print + digital plan.
Step 5: Complete payment
IDA charges a single flat fee per plan, covering the IDP booklet, the digital copy, and shipping for the print + digital package. There is no government tax or visa fee on an IDP — anyone quoting a "processing tax" on top of the published price is running a scam.
Step 6: Receive your IDP
Two deliverables arrive. The digital IDP is sent in as little as 8 minutes and can be used immediately where digital documents are accepted. The printed booklet ships to your address and is the format to carry in countries that require a physical document — several destinations, including Thailand, Spain, the UAE, and Indonesia, accept only the 1-year printed booklet, not a digital copy.
How long does it take to get an International Driving Permit?
Through the International Drivers Association, the digital IDP is delivered in as little as 8 minutes after approval, and the printed booklet follows by mail, with delivery windows depending on your region and the shipping option selected.
The bottleneck is rarely the processing — it's the applicant's documentation. Blurry licence scans, photos with shadows or non-white backgrounds, and mismatched name fields trigger manual review and add delays. Submitting a passport-quality photo and a flat, glare-free licence scan keeps the application on the express track.
How much does an International Driving Permit cost?
The cost depends on the plan and validity term you choose: IDA publishes a single flat fee per plan — digital-only or the complete print + digital package — with current prices on the pricing page. The fee covers the permit, the digital copy, and shipping on the print package, and every purchase is backed by a money-back guarantee.
Two savings worth knowing: a compliant passport-style photo can be taken free at home with a smartphone against a white wall instead of paying for studio photos, and there is no government tax, visa fee, or "processing tax" on an IDP — any provider adding one is a red flag.
Do I need an IDP in addition to my national driver's licence?
Yes. An International Driving Permit is never valid on its own. It is a translation document carried alongside your original national driver's licence, and both are presented together to police, rental agencies, and border officials. Driving abroad with only an IDP and no original licence is treated as driving without a licence.
For drivers holding non-US licences
Drivers from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the European Union, and other treaty nations follow the same six-step process, with one essential rule: the IDP must be based on the national licence you actually hold, issued for the country that issued that licence. A driver with a UK photocard applies on that UK licence; a driver with a Canadian provincial licence applies on that Canadian licence. An IDP built on a licence from a country where you've never been licensed is invalid.
UK drivers should note that since Brexit, an IDP is required for some destinations that previously accepted the UK licence directly. Canadian drivers operating in the US generally do not need an IDP for the US specifically, but require one for most overseas travel. Acceptance varies by destination, so check your destination's rules before you travel.
Key Takeaways
- An IDP is a translation of your national license, not a replacement, both must be carried together.
- The standard application requires a valid national license, a passport-style photo, a license scan, and 8–12 minutes online.
- Digital PDF delivery is 2 hours; physical booklet delivery is 2–8 business days depending on shipping.
- Provisional, learner's, expired, or suspended licenses do not qualify for an IDP.
