TPG has received emails from readers who didn’t know they needed an international driving permit to rent a car in some foreign countries. (Hint: Italy is one of them). It’s a missed detail that can derail an otherwise well-planned getaway.
Without an IDP, the car rental agency may turn you away, leaving you dependent on public transportation. private car services or ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft.
The good news is that you can now submit an IDP application online. Completing the paperwork and providing supporting documents will take you a few minutes.
What is an international driving permit?
In its simplest form, an international driving permit translates your English driver’s license into 10 other languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish). Verify that you have a valid driver’s license issued where you live. For US travelers, that means a driver’s license issued by a US state or territory.
When you drive a car abroad, you carry the IDP, which includes your name, driving details and photograph, along with your valid driving licence. The IDP is accepted in more than 150 member countries of the United Nations worldwide and is considered a valid form of identification in more than 175 countries. Wherever you travel, the IDP likely has you covered.
Is an IDP required to drive in foreign countries?
Not all countries require an international driving permit, but many do. For example, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Thailand require the IDP. Germany and Hungary do not require the IDP specifically, but they do require a translation of your driver’s license into German and Hungarian, respectively, so the IDP is still the easiest solution for you. Other countries may also have this requirement, so check before planning to rent or borrow a car in a foreign destination.
Some car rental agencies may allow you to rent a vehicle without an IDP, while others may not. However, if you are caught driving without an IDP in a country that requires one, you could face a hefty fine from local authorities. The car can also be impounded, and who wants to deal with that headache? Finally, if you are involved in a car accident in a country that requires an IDP and you do not have one, your insurance policy may be void.
How to obtain 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 permits.
You do not need to be an AAA member or a U.S. citizen to apply for an IDP, but you must 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 18 years old or older and have had your driver’s license for at least six months.
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Your license must also be valid for at least six months after the date your IDP is issued. You cannot apply for an international driving permit if your license has been suspended or revoked.
AAA offers an online application process, so applying for the permit is quick and easy.
Go to AAA International Driving Permits Home Page. You will begin the process there and then be prompted to continue within the govWorks application. AAA will text you a link and provide you with a QR code to access.
My total cost for the IDP was $42.99. The IDP fee is $20 plus a $10 “digital passport photo” fee.
Unfortunately, you have to use the system app to take your photo; It is not possible to simply use one from your photo library.
Shipping costs are based on where you live and what type of shipping you select. My shipping options to an East Coast address were:
- FedEx 2 days: $12.99
- USPS Priority Mail: $14.99
- USPS Express Mail: $31.20
- FedEx Standard Overnight: $61.03
An international driving permit is usually valid for one year or until your current driver’s license expires.
Once you place your IDP order, it will take approximately 5 business days to be processed and then added in time for any shipping method you have selected.
When to apply for the IDP
It takes a week or two for the IDP to be sent to you, but plan ahead. You can get an IDP issued within six months of the desired effective date. Therefore, if you plan to travel on July 1, you can apply for the IDP already in the previous January. You probably won’t need that much time to get the document, but you’ll have some wiggle room if necessary.
Know the rules of internal travel and the road.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the country or countries you are going to recognize the International Driving Permit.
You should also research local traffic rules and follow them to the letter. That may include purchasing a “vignette,” a sticker that authorizes you to drive in certain countries. Rental cars usually already have stickers, or the rental agency can tell you where to buy one.
Whatever you do, remember to pack your driver’s license. The PDI is a “permit” and not a “license”; Not valid unless combined with your home driver’s license.
Can you drive in another country without having an internally displaced person?
Obtaining an international driving permit is not the only way to drive in a foreign country. Many destinations also have the option of carrying a translated version of your driver’s license. But why bother translating your license into many different languages when the IDP is accepted in so many places?
In a nutshell
It is easy and relatively inexpensive to obtain an international driving permit.
You may want to arrange one, whether you plan to drive on your next trip abroad or not. It can be a useful additional means of identification, with all your data translated into a format that officials are used to seeing.
