An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a translation of the information on your U.S. driver's license for use abroad. It does not replace your driver's license and does not give you driving privileges by itself. When an IDP is required or accepted, carry it with your valid U.S. license.
The U.S. Department of State currently recognizes two authorized U.S. issuers: AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Do not buy an "international driver's license" or IDP from another company.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit?
It depends on where you are driving. Some countries accept a U.S. driver's license by itself. Others require an IDP, and rental companies may set document rules that are stricter than the local legal minimum.
USAGov says U.S. citizens visiting Canada or Mexico do not need an IDP to drive. Requirements elsewhere vary by destination.
Check the destination before you apply. Review the State Department's driving and transportation guidance, then check the Travel and Transportation section for the country you plan to visit. If you are renting a car, confirm the rental company's license and IDP rules too.
Do not rely on a blanket list that says an IDP works in a fixed number of countries. Local law, the type of permit recognized, and rental-company rules can differ.
Who Can Get a U.S.-Issued IDP?
For a U.S.-issued permit, you generally must:
- be at least 18 years old,
- hold a valid U.S. or territorial driver's license, and
- continue carrying that license whenever you use the IDP.
You do not have to be a U.S. citizen. If your driver's license was issued by another country, get the IDP from the country that issued your license rather than from a U.S. issuer.
AAA's application states that an IDP is not valid for driving in the United States and that the requested effective date must be within six months of the application date.
Authorized U.S. IDP Issuers: AAA and AATA
The State Department and USAGov currently identify two organizations authorized to issue IDPs in the United States.
| Issuer | Application options | Current fee information |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | Online, in person at participating AAA branches, or by mail. AAA membership is not required. | The permit fee is $20. Online applications add a digital-photo fee and shipping. Branch photo fees, tax, and return-mail costs vary by AAA club and application method. |
| AATA | Online application for drivers with a valid U.S. license, including applicants who are already abroad. | The permit fee is $20. AATA currently lists a $9 photo-image processing fee plus shipping and handling. |
Fees and delivery options can change. Check the issuer's current application page before paying.
How to Apply for an IDP
AAA: in person
- Completed IDP application
- Valid U.S. driver's license
- Two original 2 x 2-inch passport-style photos
- $20 permit fee, plus any local tax or photo charge
Many participating AAA branches can issue the permit while you are there. Check the branch first because IDP service is not available at every location.
AAA: by mail
- Completed IDP application
- Two original passport-style photos
- Photocopy of the front and back of your U.S. driver's license
- $20 permit fee
- Return-mail payment or a prepaid return envelope, depending on the AAA club's instructions
Mail processing and delivery time vary by AAA club. Allow time for the application to reach AAA and for the permit to be mailed back to you.
AAA: online
AAA also offers online IDP applications. You will need a digital passport-style photo and images of both sides of your current driver's license. The permit is mailed to you; the online price includes the $20 permit fee plus separate photo and shipping charges.
AATA: online
AATA accepts online applications. Have a digital passport-style photo and images of the front and back of your current U.S. driver's license ready. AATA says current applications are normally processed within a few business days before shipping, but delivery time depends on the shipping option and destination.
Need photos before applying through AAA by mail or in person? See our guides to passport-style photo requirements and where to get passport photos.
How to Use an IDP Abroad
An IDP issued in the United States is valid for one year, but you still need to follow the rules of the country where you are driving. Carry the physical IDP together with your valid U.S. driver's license.
The permit is a translation and identification document. It does not override local licensing rules, age restrictions, vehicle rules, or traffic laws. It also does not make an expired, suspended, or otherwise invalid U.S. license usable abroad.
An IDP is not renewable. If you need one after it expires, submit a new application through an authorized issuer.
Rental Cars and Auto Insurance Abroad
Check two separate requirements before driving: what the country requires and what the rental company requires. A rental company may ask for an IDP even when local law does not require one for every visitor.
Your U.S. auto policy may not cover driving in another country. The State Department recommends checking with your insurer before you leave. Even when a U.S. policy provides some coverage, it may not meet the destination's minimum insurance requirements.
If you rent a vehicle, read the rental company's insurance terms before declining or buying coverage. For broader trip planning, see our safe international travel guide.
Avoid Fake IDPs and "International Driver's Licenses"
Only AAA and AATA are currently authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs in the United States.
Sites that sell an "international driver's license" or claim to issue a U.S. IDP through another company may be selling an invalid document. The Federal Trade Commission warns that fake permits can cost you money, expose personal information, and cause legal or travel problems if you try to use one abroad.
"International driver's license" is sometimes used informally to describe an IDP. The document you want is an International Driving Permit issued by an authorized organization, used together with your real driver's license.
International Driving Permit FAQs
No. It is a translation and identification document used with your valid driver's license. It does not create driving privileges on its own.
AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are the two organizations currently recognized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs in the United States.
USAGov says U.S. citizens visiting Canada or Mexico do not need an IDP to drive. You still need a valid driver's license and must comply with local vehicle and insurance rules.
A U.S.-issued IDP is valid for one year. It cannot be renewed; apply for a new permit if you need another one after it expires.
No. Carry both. The IDP is valid only when used with the current driver's license on which it is based.
Yes. Authorized issuers have options for eligible holders of a valid U.S. driver's license who are already abroad. Shipping time still applies, so getting the permit before departure is usually simpler.
Do not rely on a digital file. Authorized IDPs are physical documents. Carry the physical permit with your driver's license.
It depends on the country and the rental company. Check both before the trip. A rental company can require an IDP even when local law allows some visitors to drive with a U.S. license alone.
Last reviewed: September 28, 2026.
Our role: U.S. Passport Service Guide is an independent travel-document information resource. We explain current government and issuer requirements and link readers to the authorized organizations that issue International Driving Permits in the United States.
