International Driving Permit: Do You Need One and How to Get It

What Is an International Driving Permit?

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a standardized document that translates your domestic driver's license into 12 languages recognized by the United Nations. It is not a standalone license. It works only as a companion to your valid home country driver's license, and it has no legal authority without that license present alongside it.

The IDP is based on the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. These international agreements established the IDP system so that drivers could be understood by foreign police officers and rental car agencies without the need for certified translations.

Key facts about the IDP:

• It is valid for one year from the date of issue
• It does not replace your home driver's license
• It must be carried alongside your original license at all times
• It contains your photo, name, and driving information translated into 12 languages
• It is available only through authorized organizations in your home country

Do You Actually Need an International Driving Permit?

Whether you need an IDP depends on three factors: the country you are visiting, your home country's license, and whether you plan to rent a car.

Countries That Legally Require an IDP

The following countries require US license holders to carry an IDP when driving. Driving without one can result in fines, vehicle impoundment, or invalidated insurance.

Europe:

• Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain

Asia:

• Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia (Bali included)

South America:

• Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay

Africa:

• Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Morocco, Egypt

Middle East:

• Jordan, Oman, United Arab Emirates (varies by emirate)

Countries Where a US License Alone Is Sufficient

In these countries, a valid US driver's license is legally accepted for short-term visitors (typically 30 to 90 days):

• United Kingdom (up to 12 months)
• Ireland (up to 12 months)
• France (up to 12 months, though an IDP is still recommended)
• Portugal (up to 6 months)
• Canada (varies by province, generally up to 3-6 months)
• Mexico (up to 6 months with tourist visa)
• Australia (varies by state, generally up to 3 months)
• New Zealand (up to 12 months)
• Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam (US territories, US license fully valid)

The Rental Car Factor

Even in countries where an IDP is not legally required, many rental car companies require one as a condition of their rental agreement. This is particularly common with:

• Europcar and Sixt in continental Europe
• Toyota Rent a Car in Japan
• Budget and Hertz in parts of Southeast Asia

If you show up without an IDP and the rental counter demands one, you have no recourse. They will refuse to release the vehicle, and you will not receive a refund for your prepaid booking in most cases.

My recommendation: Get an IDP for any international driving trip. At $20 and 10 minutes of effort, it is the cheapest insurance policy you will ever buy.

How to Get an International Driving Permit (US Citizens)

In the United States, only two organizations are authorized to issue International Driving Permits:

1. AAA (American Automobile Association)
2. AATA (American Automobile Touring Alliance)

Any website claiming to issue an IDP outside of these organizations is a scam. Do not pay for "international driver's licenses" from third-party websites.

Getting Your IDP from AAA (Recommended)

AAA is the fastest and most convenient option. You do not need to be a AAA member to get an IDP.

What you need:

• A valid US driver's license (must be valid for at least 6 months)
• Two passport-sized photos (2x2 inches). AAA offices can take these for approximately $15, or bring your own
• $20 processing fee
• A completed IDP application form (available at AAA offices or downloadable from aaa.com)

In-person process (same-day):

1. Visit any AAA branch office
2. Bring your license, photos, and $20
3. Fill out the application form
4. Receive your IDP immediately

Mail-in process (10-15 business days):

1. Download the application from aaa.com
2. Mail the completed application, two photos, a photocopy of both sides of your license, and a check or money order for $20
3. Include a return address for delivery
4. Allow 10 to 15 business days for processing and delivery

Getting Your IDP from AATA

The AATA process is similar, with a $20 fee and a mail-in application available at aata.us. Processing typically takes 4 to 6 weeks, making AAA the faster choice for most people.

Country-by-Country Car Rental Guide

Japan

Japan is one of the strictest countries regarding driving permits. A standard IDP based on the 1949 Geneva Convention is accepted. However, Japan does not recognize IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention. Since the US issues Geneva Convention IDPs through AAA, American drivers are covered.

• IDP required: Yes, mandatory
• Minimum driving age for rentals: 18
• Drive on: Left side of the road
• Recommended rental companies: Toyota Rent a Car, Nippon Rent-A-Car, Times Car Rental
• Typical cost: 5,000-8,000 JPY per day (approximately $35-$55 USD) for a compact car
• Toll roads: Japan's expressway system uses ETC cards. Rental cars usually offer an ETC card rental for 300-500 JPY per day.

Italy

Italy legally requires an IDP, and police actively enforce this, particularly in southern Italy and Sicily.

• IDP required: Yes, mandatory
• Minimum driving age for rentals: 21 (some companies require 25)
• Drive on: Right side of the road
• ZTL zones: Many Italian city centers have restricted traffic zones (Zona a Traffico Limitato) with cameras. Driving into one without a permit results in fines of 50-100 EUR per violation. Your rental company will forward these fines to your credit card months later.
• Recommended rental companies: AutoEurope (broker), Maggiore, Hertz Italy
• Typical cost: 30-60 EUR per day for a compact car
• Fuel: Diesel is common and cheaper. Make sure you know which fuel your rental takes.

Australia

Australia does not legally require an IDP for US license holders visiting for under three months, but having one is recommended.

• IDP required: Recommended but not legally mandatory for stays under 90 days
• Minimum driving age for rentals: 21 (under-25 surcharge common)
• Drive on: Left side of the road
• Key hazard: Wildlife on rural roads, especially at dawn and dusk. Kangaroo collisions are common.
• Recommended rental companies: Jucy, Apollo (for campervans), Budget, Europcar
• Typical cost: 40-80 AUD per day ($25-$50 USD) for a compact car
• Insurance note: Basic liability (called "third party" in Australia) is included, but collision damage waiver (CDW) is extra. Credit card insurance may cover this, but check your card's terms for Australia specifically.

Costa Rica

• IDP required: Not required; US license valid for up to 90 days
• Minimum driving age for rentals: 21 (23 at some companies)
• Drive on: Right side of the road
• Road conditions: Outside the Central Valley, roads deteriorate significantly. A 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended, especially during the rainy season (May through November).
• Recommended rental companies: Vamos Rent-A-Car (local, excellent reputation), Adobe Rent a Car, National
• Typical cost: $40-$80 USD per day for a 4WD SUV
• Mandatory insurance: Costa Rica requires you to purchase local liability insurance (SLI) from the rental company regardless of any other coverage you carry.

Thailand

• IDP required: Yes, mandatory
• Drive on: Left side of the road
• Reality check: Driving in Bangkok is not recommended for visitors. Traffic is severe and road rules are loosely followed. However, driving in northern Thailand (Chiang Mai to Pai route) or the islands (Koh Samui, Phuket) is common among tourists.
• Scooter note: The IDP and your home license must include motorcycle endorsement to legally ride a scooter. Many travelers rent scooters without proper licensing, which voids insurance coverage in the event of an accident.

Which Side of the Road? A Quick Reference

Left-Side Driving	Right-Side Driving
United Kingdom	United States
Japan	Canada
Australia	Mexico
New Zealand	Most of Continental Europe
Thailand	Brazil
India	Argentina
South Africa	China
Indonesia	Middle East
Malaysia	Russia
Kenya	Colombia

Tip for switching sides: The driver should always be closest to the center line of the road. If you normally drive on the right, your instinct to position yourself on the left side of the vehicle cabin means you should be near the center of the road in a left-driving country too, which is correct.

Insurance When Driving Abroad

Car rental insurance abroad is a confusing landscape. Here is what you need to know.

Types of Coverage

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) / Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): Covers damage to the rental vehicle. This is the most important coverage to have.
• Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI): Covers damage or injury you cause to others. Some countries require this.
• Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): Covers your own medical expenses. Usually redundant if you have travel insurance or health insurance with international coverage.
• Theft Protection (TP): Covers vehicle theft. Often bundled with CDW in Europe.

Sources of Coverage

1. Your credit card: Many premium credit cards (Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X) offer primary rental car insurance when you decline the rental company's CDW and charge the rental to the card. Check the exclusions carefully. Common exclusions include:

- Certain countries (Italy, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded by some cards)

- Vehicles over a certain value or certain types (SUVs, luxury cars, trucks, vans)

- Rentals exceeding 30 or 31 consecutive days

1. Your personal auto insurance: May extend to international rentals, but coverage is typically secondary and may not cover all countries. Call your insurer before your trip.

1. The rental company's insurance: The most expensive option but the simplest. Expect to pay $15-$35 USD per day for full coverage.

1. Third-party rental insurance: Companies like Bonzah and Allianz offer standalone rental car insurance for $7-$12 per day, which can be significantly cheaper than the rental counter.

My Recommended Strategy

1. Check your credit card's rental car insurance benefits and exclusion list
2. If your card covers the destination country, decline CDW at the counter
3. If your card does not cover the destination, purchase third-party insurance from Bonzah or similar
4. Always purchase mandatory local liability insurance if required by law (Costa Rica, some EU countries)

Common Mistakes When Driving Abroad

Mistake 1: Not getting an IDP and being denied a rental car. This happens more often than people think, especially in Japan and Italy. The $20 IDP would have prevented a major disruption.

Mistake 2: Driving into restricted zones. Many European cities (Rome, Florence, Milan, London, Stockholm) have congestion charges or restricted traffic zones. Research these before you drive into a city center.

Mistake 3: Ignoring fuel type. Putting gasoline in a diesel car (or vice versa) can cause thousands of dollars in engine damage. Diesel pumps in Europe often have black handles; gasoline has green. This is the opposite of the US convention.

Mistake 4: Not understanding toll systems. Many countries use electronic toll systems. In Portugal, for example, some highways use electronic-only tolls with no cash option. You must set up an account or purchase a prepaid toll card.

Mistake 5: Assuming your phone GPS will work offline. Download offline maps for your destination in Google Maps or Maps.me before departure. Mobile data abroad can be unreliable or expensive.

Mistake 6: Forgetting to photograph the car before driving off. Document every scratch, dent, and scuff on the rental car before you leave the lot. Use your phone to take photos with timestamps. This protects you from fraudulent damage claims.

Planning a Road Trip Abroad With TripGenie

If you are planning a self-drive itinerary abroad, TripGenie can help you map out a day-by-day road trip route with distances, drive times, and stop recommendations. Instead of spending hours on Google Maps trying to figure out the optimal route through the Scottish Highlands or the Amalfi Coast, let TripGenie build the framework so you can focus on the experience.

IDP Checklist Before You Leave

Use this checklist before any international driving trip:

• Obtained IDP from AAA ($20, same-day at any branch)
• Verified destination country's IDP requirement
• Confirmed rental car company's IDP policy
• Checked which side of the road the country drives on
• Reviewed insurance coverage (credit card, personal, or third-party)
• Downloaded offline maps for your driving area
• Researched toll systems and congestion zones
• Noted speed limit conventions (km/h vs. mph)
• Packed both your US license and IDP together so you do not forget either

An International Driving Permit is one of the simplest and cheapest travel preparations you can make. For $20 and a quick trip to AAA, you gain legal driving credentials recognized in over 150 countries. There is no reason to skip it.