An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a standardized translation document that lets foreign authorities read your U.S. driver’s license in their own language. It is not a standalone license — it has no legal standing without your valid U.S. driver’s license. What it does is remove the barrier of a language-only document when you are stopped by a traffic officer or rent a vehicle in a country where your state-issued license is not self-explanatory.

Most Americans never need one. Those who do need it are renting cars in certain countries, driving through countries that specifically require it, or staying abroad long enough that local authorities expect it for extended stays. This guide explains when an IDP is actually required, how to get one, and what it costs.

When an International Driving Permit is required

The United States is a signatory to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. Both conventions recognize IDPs issued by member-country authorities. Under both conventions, an IDP is the document that validates a foreign national’s license in signatory countries.

That said, legal requirement and practical enforcement are different things. Loosely, here is how countries sort out:

IDP strongly recommended or required: Italy, Spain, Greece, Germany, Austria, and most of continental Europe for rental car agreements (many rental companies require it even if local law doesn’t). Japan, South Korea, and most of East Asia. Most of Africa. Parts of Southeast Asia (Thailand in particular is frequently cited). Most of Central and South America.

IDP not required, local driving law recognizes US license directly: Canada (no IDP needed, US license fully recognized). Mexico (IDP helpful but not legally required). Most of the Caribbean. Australia and New Zealand (US license valid for short stays, IDP recommended). United Kingdom (US license valid for up to 12 months for visitors).

Check before you go. Country rules change. The U.S. State Department’s country information pages and the U.S. Embassy in your destination country are the authoritative sources. Rental car agreements often impose additional requirements beyond legal minimums — a rental company can require an IDP even if the country does not.

Connecticut residents planning extended international stays should also verify whether their state’s reciprocity agreements with specific countries affect their rights at the destination. This is distinct from the IDP issue — some countries allow long-term residents to convert to a local license rather than requiring repeated renewal of the IDP.

How to get an International Driving Permit

In the United States, only two organizations are authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs:

  • AAA (American Automobile Association) — available at any AAA branch office or by mail application
  • AATA (American Automobile Touring Alliance) — also issues IDPs, less widely distributed

There is no federal government office that issues IDPs directly. Any website claiming to issue a “U.S. government IDP” or selling IDPs for prices far above the AAA fee is a scam. The U.S. State Department explicitly warns against third-party IDP issuers.

What you need to bring to a AAA office:

  • Your valid U.S. driver’s license
  • Two passport-size photos (some offices will take them for a fee if you don’t have them)
  • A completed application (available at the office or on AAA’s website)
  • The fee: as of 2026, AAA charges $20 for members and $20 for non-members (verify current fee at aaa.com before visiting, as fees are reviewed periodically)

AAA can issue the permit at the office while you wait — it does not need to be mailed. For mail applications, processing time is typically 5–7 business days, not counting transit.

You do not need to be a AAA member to get an IDP. The permit is available to any licensed U.S. driver at any AAA office.

Connecticut residents can visit any AAA Northeast branch. Branch locations can be found at the AAA Northeast regional website. The Hartford and New Haven offices are the most accessible for central and southern Connecticut.

How long an IDP is valid

An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. It cannot be renewed — if you need one for a trip more than a year after the last issue date, you must apply for a new one.

Because IDPs are cheap and fast to obtain, there is no reason to push the timing. If your trip is in three months and your current IDP expires in four months, get a new one before you go.

Using the IDP correctly

The IDP is only valid when used together with your valid home-country license. Present both documents together when requested. Your U.S. license remains your primary credential — the IDP is a translation supplement.

If your U.S. license expires during your trip, your IDP also becomes invalid, as the IDP derives its validity from the underlying license.

The IDP contains translations in ten languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Swedish. Whether the country you are visiting uses one of those languages does not affect whether an IDP is required — the permit’s value is its standardized format that traffic authorities recognize internationally, independent of the specific translations.

Situations where an IDP does not help

An IDP is a translation document, not a license upgrade. It does not:

  • Allow you to drive vehicles for which your U.S. license lacks the appropriate class or endorsement
  • Substitute for a commercial vehicle license if you are operating commercial vehicles abroad
  • Override residency-based license requirements in countries where you are considered a resident rather than a tourist

If you are moving to another country rather than visiting, the IDP is typically a short-term bridge. Most countries allow visitors to drive on foreign licenses for 30 to 90 days; after that, local licensing authorities expect you to convert to a local license. The IDP does not extend that window.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get an IDP at the airport before departure? AAA offices at or near airports are uncommon. Do not count on it. Get the IDP at least a week before travel, or apply by mail far enough in advance.

What happens if I get pulled over in a foreign country without an IDP and the country requires one? Outcomes vary by country and officer discretion. In some places, you will be fined. In others, you may be denied the right to continue driving. The fine and hassle are disproportionate to the $20 cost of getting the IDP before you go.

Does my auto insurance cover me driving abroad? Domestic auto insurance policies generally do not cover driving outside the United States and Canada. Canadian coverage is often included, but Mexico and points beyond are typically excluded. Purchase local coverage or credit card travel insurance that explicitly covers rental vehicle liability in your destination country before driving abroad.

Is the IDP valid in all 50 states as an ID document? No. The IDP is a translation document for international use. It is not recognized as a valid form of identification within the United States. Your U.S. driver’s license or state ID remains your domestic ID.

For the reverse situation — what foreign visitors need to drive legally in Connecticut and when a foreign license must be converted to a Connecticut license — see our article on driving in Connecticut as a foreign or international visitor.