TPG has received emails from readers who were unaware they needed an international driving permit when renting a car in certain countries. (Hint: Italy is one of them.) The omission of this detail can derail an otherwise carefully planned vacation.
Without an IDP, car rental agencies may turn you away, leaving you to rely on public transportation, private car services, or ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft.
The good news is that you can now submit your IDP application online. It will take a few minutes to fill out the paperwork and provide supporting documentation.
What is an international driving permit?
At its simplest, the International Driving Permit translates your English driving license into 10 other languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish). It verifies that you have a valid driver’s license issued by your place of residence. For travelers from the United States, this means a driver’s license issued by a state or U.S. territory.
When you drive overseas, you need to carry your IDP (which includes your name, driving details and photo) and a valid driving license. IDP is accepted by more than 150 United Nations member states around the world and is considered a valid form of identification in more than 175 countries. No matter where you go, IDP may have you covered.
Does IDP require driving abroad?
Not every country requires an international driving permit, but many do. For example, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, and Thailand require an IDP. Specifically, Germany and Hungary do not require an IDP, but do require translations of German and Hungarian driving licenses respectively, so an IDP remains the simplest solution. Other countries may also have this requirement, so check before you plan to rent or borrow a car in your foreign destination.
Some car rental companies may allow you to rent a vehicle without an IDP, while others will not. However, if you are caught driving without an IDP in a country that requires IDPs, you could face hefty fines from local authorities. The car could also be impounded – who wants to deal with that headache? Finally, if you are involved in a car accident in a country that requires an IDP, your policy may be voided if you do not have one.
How to get an international driving permit
The American Automobile Association (AAA) is the only private entity in the United States authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue international driver’s licenses.
You do not need to be an AAA member or a U.S. citizen to apply for an IDP, but you do need to be a permanent resident of a U.S. state or territory and have a driver’s license issued by that entity. You must also be over 18 years old and have held a driving license for at least six months.
Reward your inbox with the TPG daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers and get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts
Your license must also be valid for at least six months from the date of issuance by the IDP. If your driver’s license has been suspended or revoked, you will not be able to apply for an international driver’s license.
AAA offers an online application process, so applying for a license is quick and easy.
Go to the AAA International Driving Permit login page. You’ll start the process there and then be prompted to continue in the govWorks application. AAA will send you a link via text message and provide a QR code for access.
The total cost of my IDP was $42.99. The IDP fee is $20, plus a $10 “Digital Passport Photo” fee.
Unfortunately, you have to use the system’s apps to take a photo; it’s not possible to simply use one from the photo gallery.
Shipping costs depend on where you live and the type of shipping you choose. My shipping options to East Coast addresses are:
- FedEx 2 days: $12.99
- USPS Priority Mail: $14.99
- USPS Express Mail: $31.20
- FedEx Standard Overnight: $61.03
An international driving license is usually valid for one year, or until your current driving license expires.
Once you place your IDP order, it takes approximately 5 business days to process and then add any shipping method you choose.
When to apply for IDP
It will take a week or two for the IDP to be mailed to you, but please plan ahead. You can get your IDP issued within six months of the required effective date. So, if you plan to travel on July 1st, you can apply for IDP as early as last January. You may not need that much time to obtain this document, but you’ll have plenty of leeway if you need to.
Understand the rules and pathways for IDPs
It is your responsibility to ensure that the country you are visiting recognizes international driving permits.
You should also research local road rules and obey them completely. This may include purchasing a “vignette”, a sticker that authorizes you to drive in certain countries. There is usually a sticker on the rental car already, or the rental agency can tell you where to buy one.
Whatever you do, remember to bring your driver’s license. An IDP is a “permit” not a “license”; it is not valid unless paired with your driver’s license at home.
Can you drive in another country without an IDP?
Obtaining an international driving permit is not the only way to drive abroad. Many destinations also require you to carry a translated version of your driving license. But since IDP is accepted in many places, why go to the trouble of translating your license into many different languages?
bottom line
Obtaining an international driving permit is easy and relatively cheap.
Whether or not you plan to drive on your next overseas trip, you’ll probably want to arrange one. It can be a convenient form of additional identification, with all your details translated in a format that officers are used to seeing.
