International Driving Permit (IDP)
for the USA — Complete Guide
What an IDP is, when you need one to drive in the USA, how to get one in your home country, and what it costs.
What is an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a small grey booklet that translates your home-country driver's license into 10 languages. It is recognized by 174 countries that signed the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, including the USA.
Important: An IDP is not a stand-alone driver's license. You must always carry both your original valid home-country driver's license AND the IDP together. Showing the IDP alone is not legally valid in the USA.
The IDP's purpose is to help US police officers, immigration officials, and rental car companies read your license — particularly when your original license is in a non-Latin script (Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Cyrillic, etc.) or in a language they don't understand.
Do you need an IDP to drive in the USA?
✅ Probably NOT required
If your driver's license is already in English:
- UK · Ireland
- Canada · Australia
- New Zealand · South Africa
- Singapore · Malaysia (English-format)
Recommended for rental cars but not strictly required by federal US law.
⚠️ Strongly recommended
If your license is not in English or uses a non-Latin script:
- India · Pakistan · Bangladesh
- China · Japan · South Korea
- Saudi Arabia · UAE · Egypt
- Most of Europe · Russia · Latin America
Most rental car companies will require it. Some US states require it for stays longer than 30 days.
How to get an International Driving Permit
⚠️ Critical: You must obtain an IDP in your home country BEFORE traveling to the USA. The USA does NOT issue IDPs to foreign visitors.
For US residents traveling abroad
If you're a US citizen or permanent resident planning to drive overseas, you need an IDP issued by one of the only TWO US-authorized issuers:
For visitors to the USA from abroad
Apply at the authorized IDP issuer in your home country before your trip. Each country has its own authorized issuer:
- UK: UK Post Office (£5.50, in-person, same-day)
- Germany: ADAC or local Bürgeramt (~€16)
- India: Local Regional Transport Office (RTO)
- Pakistan: National Highway and Motorway Police
- Philippines: Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) — only authorized issuer
- Australia: RACV, NRMA, RACQ, RACWA, or other state automobile clubs
- Most other countries: National automobile association
Cost, processing time, and validity
| Detail | Typical |
|---|---|
| Cost (in the US, AAA / AATA) | $20 |
| Cost (other countries) | $15–$30 equivalent |
| Processing time (in person) | Same day |
| Processing time (by mail) | 10–15 business days |
| Validity | 1 year from issue date |
| Format | Small grey booklet (NOT a card) |
| Renewable from abroad? | No — must apply in home country |
Which countries need an IDP for driving in the USA?
See the country-specific guides for detailed IDP requirements per country:
⚠️ Watch out for IDP scams
Many websites sell fake "International Driver Documents," "International Driver Cards," or other fraudulent products that are NOT real IDPs. These are sometimes marketed at $50–$200 and look like fancy plastic cards. They are worthless.
A real IDP:
- Is issued ONLY by your country's authorized national automobile association (AAA / AATA in the US)
- Costs $15–$30 — never hundreds of dollars
- Is a small grey paper booklet — NOT a plastic card
- Is valid for 1 year only
- Lists your name, photo, and license details translated into 10 languages
If you're unsure if a website is legitimate, look for it on the official AAA list of international affiliates or verify with your country's embassy.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a multilingual translation of your home-country driver's license, recognized in 174 countries that are signatories to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. The IDP is NOT a stand-alone license — it must always be carried together with your original valid driver's license. It exists to help police officers and rental car companies in foreign countries read your license, regardless of the language or script of the original.