By the International Drivers Association editorial desk, written from 20+ years of cross-border driving across 64 countries and four continents.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a booklet that translates your national driver's license into 12 languages and certifies your driving credentials under the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna 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 license you already hold. This guide walks the full process from license check to delivery, for US citizens first, then for drivers holding non-US licenses.
What is an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit is a multilingual translation of a national driver's license, issued under United Nations road-traffic treaties to certify that the holder is authorized to drive in their home country. It is recognized in more than 150 countries and is presented alongside the original national license, never as a replacement.
The IDP is a paper booklet with a photograph, the holder's signature, and translated license categories. It carries no independent driving privileges. If the underlying national license is suspended, expired, or revoked, the IDP becomes void on the same date.
How do I get an International Driving Permit step by step?
Obtaining an International Driving Permit takes six steps: confirm license eligibility, gather application documents, choose an authorized issuer, submit the online application with photo and license scan, complete payment, and receive the IDP by digital download and physical mail within 2–8 business days depending on the chosen shipping speed.
Step 1: Confirm your national license is valid
The IDP only translates an active national license. Before applying, confirm three conditions: your license is unexpired, not suspended, and was issued by a competent state or national driver-licensing authority. US applicants need a license 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.
Step 2: Gather your application documents
The standard IDP application requires four items: a clear color scan of the front and back of your national driver's license, a passport-style photograph taken within the past 6 months (white background, head-and-shoulders, no glasses, no head coverings except for religious purposes), proof of identity such as a passport bio page or government ID, and a valid email address for digital delivery. A full document checklist with format and size specifications is available in the documents required for an IDP application guide.
Step 3: Choose an authorized issuing body
Three categories of issuers can produce a legally valid IDP for US citizens: the American Automobile Association (AAA), the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), and authorized affiliates such as the International Drivers Association that issue under the 1949 Geneva Convention framework. Avoid any provider that issues an "International Driver's License" instead of an "International Driving Permit", the former is not a recognized document and is the most common scam pattern. See common IDP scams and fake permits for red flags.
Step 4: Submit the online application
The IDA online application takes 8–12 minutes. You enter your full legal name as printed on your national license, date of birth, residential address, license number, license issue date, license expiration date, and license-issuing authority. Upload the license scan and the passport photo. Select the IDP validity term (1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 5 years, or 10 years) and the shipping option.
Step 5: Complete payment
IDA charges a single flat fee that includes the IDP booklet, digital PDF copy delivered within 2 hours of approval, and global shipping. Premium shipping options (FedEx Express, DHL Express) compress physical delivery to 2–4 business days.
Step 6: Receive your IDP
Two deliverables arrive: a digital PDF version emailed within 2 hours of application approval, valid for immediate use at most rental counters and border crossings, and the physical booklet shipped to your address. The physical booklet is required for car rental in some jurisdictions and for police stops in countries that do not accept digital documents.
How long does it take to get an International Driving Permit?
International Driving Permit processing through the International Drivers Association takes 2 hours for the digital PDF and 2–8 business days for the physical booklet, depending on the shipping method selected. AAA in-person applications are issued same-day at branch offices; AAA mail applications take 10–15 business days.
The bottleneck is rarely the issuer, it is the applicant's documentation. Blurry license scans, photos with shadows or non-white backgrounds, and mismatched name fields trigger manual review and add 24–48 hours. Submitting a passport-quality photo and a flat, glare-free license scan keeps the application on the express track.
How much does an International Driving Permit cost?
An International Driving Permit costs between $20 and $79 depending on the issuer, validity term, and shipping speed. AAA charges $20 for a 1-year IDP plus return shipping. The International Drivers Association charges a single flat fee that bundles the IDP, digital PDF, and worldwide shipping, with discounts for multi-year terms.
Hidden costs to watch for: passport photos taken at a US Post Office or pharmacy cost $12–$17 (free if taken at home with a smartphone and a white wall), expedited shipping adds $25–$60, and replacement fees for a lost IDP match the original price. There is no government tax or visa fee, anyone quoting a "processing tax" beyond the issuer's flat fee is running a scam.
Do I need an IDP in addition to my national driver's license?
Yes. An International Driving Permit is never valid on its own. It is a translation document that must be carried alongside your original national driver's license, and both are presented together to police, rental agencies, and border officials. Driving abroad with only an IDP and no original license is treated as driving without a license.
For drivers holding non-US licenses
Drivers from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the European Union, and the broader Commonwealth follow the same six-step process, with two adjustments. First, the issuing authority differs by country: the AA (UK), CAA (Canada), AAA Australia, or an authorized affiliate such as the International Drivers Association handles applications outside the United States. Second, the treaty framework determines which countries honor the IDP, most countries accept both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions, but a handful (Iraq, Somalia) recognize only one.
UK drivers should note that since Brexit, an IDP is required for some EU countries that previously accepted the UK license directly. Canadian drivers operating in the US do not need an IDP for the US specifically, but require one for most overseas 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.
- Three legitimate US issuers: AAA, AATA, and authorized affiliates such as IDA, avoid any "International Driver's License" provider.
- Cost ranges from $20 (AAA, 1 year) to $79 (premium multi-year with express shipping).
- Provisional, learner's, expired, or suspended licenses do not qualify for an IDP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an IDP the same day I need to travel?
Yes — the digital PDF is delivered within 2 hours of approval and is accepted at most car rental counters and border crossings worldwide. The physical booklet ships separately and arrives in 2–8 business days.
Can I get an IDP outside my home country?
No. An IDP must be issued by an authorized body in the country that issued your national driver's license. Applying for an IDP from abroad is the most common cause of fraudulent permits.
Is an IDP valid in the country that issued my national license?
No. The IDP is for use in foreign countries only. It carries no legal authority in the country whose license it translates.
