International Driving Permit

Picture this: you are driving along a scenic coastal road in Turkey, enjoying the view, doing exactly the speed limit for once. A police officer waves you over at a routine checkpoint. No problem – you were not speeding, the car is legal, you have your passport and rental documents. The officer asks for your driver’s license. You hand over your perfectly valid US license. He looks at it, looks at you, and says something in Turkish that you do not understand. Then he switches to English: “International permit?”

You do not have one. You did not know you needed one. The next forty-five minutes involve phone calls, a supervisor, a lot of hand gestures, and eventually a fine that costs more than the document would have. The drive is somewhat less scenic after that.

This situation plays out thousands of times a year in countries around the world, and it is entirely preventable. An International Driving Permit costs around 20 dollars, takes about ten minutes to obtain, and can save you from exactly this kind of afternoon. Here is everything you need to know.

What Is an International Driving Permit?

An International Driving Permit – universally abbreviated to IDP – is a document that translates your driver’s license into twelve languages. It is a small booklet, roughly passport-sized, that contains your photo, your personal information, and a standardized translation of your driving credentials in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish, Hindi, and Japanese.

An IDP is not a standalone document. It does not replace your driver’s license. It has no legal value on its own. You must always carry your original, valid driver’s license alongside your IDP. Think of the IDP as a universal translator for your license – it tells a police officer in Jordan or a rental agent in South Korea exactly what your Kansas driver’s license says, in a language they can read.

The IDP is governed by three international conventions: the 1926 Paris Convention, the 1949 Geneva Convention, and the 1968 Vienna Convention. Different countries are signatories to different conventions, which is why there are technically two types of IDP (more on that below). In practice, the distinction matters less than most people think.

IDPs are issued by authorized automobile associations in your country of residence. They are not issued by governments, embassies, or any online service claiming to offer a “digital IDP” (those are almost always scams, but we will get to that).

Why an IDP Exists

The IDP was created to solve a practical problem: how do you verify that a piece of paper from a foreign government is a legitimate driving license when you cannot read the language or verify the issuing authority? The international conventions established a standardized booklet format, recognized across signatory countries, that any police officer or official can identify on sight.

When a Thai traffic officer stops a German tourist, they may not be able to read a German Führerschein. But they know what an IDP looks like — same format globally, issued by recognized automobile associations, with the standard twelve-language translation. It removes ambiguity from the encounter.

What the IDP Contains

A standard IDP includes:

Your photograph (the same as on your national license, in most cases)
Your full name, nationality, and date of birth
The address of the issuing automobile association
Your domestic license number and class/category
Issue date and expiry date
Categories of vehicles you are licensed to drive (Category B = standard car, Category A = motorcycle, etc.)
Signature from the issuing authority
All of the above in all twelve languages

The physical format is consistent: an A6-sized grey booklet with “International Driving Permit” printed on the cover in all twelve languages. A police officer who has seen one before will recognize it instantly, regardless of your country of issue.

IDP vs International Driving License

If you have been researching this topic, you have probably seen both “International Driving Permit” and “International Driving License” used seemingly interchangeably. People search for both terms, rental companies use both terms, and the internet confidently contradicts itself about whether they are the same thing.

They are the same thing.

The official name in the international conventions is “International Driving Permit.” Some countries and rental agencies informally refer to it as an “International Driving License.” There is no separate document called an International Driving License. If someone asks for your international driving license, they mean your IDP. If a rental company’s website mentions an international driving license requirement, they mean an IDP.

There is a small technical nuance: the 1949 Geneva Convention refers to the document as an “International Driving Permit,” while the 1968 Vienna Convention uses “International Driving Permit” as well but with slightly different specifications. Some older references call it an “International Motor Traffic Permit.” All of these refer to the same basic document – a multilingual translation of your domestic license.

Do not let the terminology confuse you. Get an IDP. Call it whatever you want.

Which Countries Require an IDP?

This is the question everyone wants a simple answer to, and unfortunately the simple answer is: it depends on where your license was issued, which convention the destination country signed, and how strictly local authorities enforce the rules.

That said, we can give you practical guidance based on what actually happens on the ground, not just what the law technically says.

Countries Where an IDP Is Legally Required

Region	Countries	Notes
Europe	Austria, Bosnia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain	Enforcement varies. Italy and Greece are strictest.
Middle East & Caucasus	Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE	Strictly enforced. UAE and Saudi Arabia will not rent without one.
Asia & Pacific	Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam	Korea and Thailand enforce consistently.
Africa	Morocco, South Africa	South Africa technically requires one for non-English licenses.
Americas	Brazil, Mexico (some states)	Mexico varies by state – Quintana Roo requires it.

Countries Where an IDP Is Officially Recommended but Not Always Enforced

Region	Countries	Notes
Europe	Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Iceland, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, Turkey	Turkey – technically required but inconsistently enforced.
Caucasus	Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia	Georgia – not legally required for stays under 1 year, but helpful.
Indian Ocean	Mauritius, Reunion, Seychelles	Mauritius – recommended, especially for non-English licenses.

Countries Where an IDP Is Generally Not Needed

If your license is in English and issued by an English-speaking country, you typically do not need an IDP in:

Iceland – Accepts most foreign licenses for tourist stays
United States – Accepts foreign licenses for short visits (reciprocity applies)
Most EU countries – If you hold a license from another EU country

However – and this is important – even in countries where an IDP is not legally required, it can still be useful. A police officer who does not read English may be more cooperative when presented with a document in their own language. And some rental companies require an IDP regardless of local law, particularly for licenses in non-Latin scripts (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Cyrillic).

The EU License Exception

If you hold a valid driver’s license from any EU/EEA member state, you do not need an IDP to drive in any other EU/EEA country. Your EU license is recognized as-is. This is one of the genuine conveniences of the single market.

If you hold a non-EU license – American, Canadian, Australian, British (post-Brexit), or from any other non-EU country – the IDP rules apply when driving in the EU.

Post-Brexit note for UK drivers: Since the UK left the EU at the end of 2020, UK driving licenses are no longer automatically recognized in EU countries. UK drivers now need an IDP for many EU destinations where they previously drove freely. The situation is somewhat absurd since UK licenses are issued in English and are perfectly legible – but convention is convention. The UK Post Office issues IDPs for UK license holders, and at 5.50 GBP each, this is not a significant burden.

Country-Specific Enforcement Reality

Country	Legal Requirement	Practical Enforcement	Rental Company Requirement
Italy	Yes (non-EU)	High; traffic police check frequently	Always required by major agencies
Greece	Yes (non-EU)	High; tourist area checkpoints	Always required
Turkey	Yes (non-EU)	Medium; varies by region	Major agencies require; local varies
Thailand	Yes	Medium-High; checkpoints on Phuket, Chiang Mai	Required by most agencies
UAE	Yes	Very high; rental companies enforce	Always required; no IDP = no car
Croatia	Recommended	Low; tourist areas rarely checked	Major agencies recommend; local rarely checks
Georgia	Recommended	Low; foreigners usually waved through	Most agencies accept without one
Serbia	Yes (non-EU)	Medium; highway police sometimes check	Major agencies require
Seychelles	Recommended	Low; small island police force	Some agencies require
Réunion	Recommended	Low; French territory, officers know major license formats	Rarely required in practice

How to Get an IDP

The process varies by country but is remarkably straightforward everywhere. An IDP is not an exam, not a test, and not a new license. It is a translation of credentials you already have.

United States

In the US, only two organizations are authorized to issue IDPs: AAA (American Automobile Association) and AATA (American Automobile Touring Alliance).

Through AAA (recommended):

Visit any AAA branch (you do not need to be a member, though members may get a small discount)
Bring your valid US driver’s license
Bring two passport-sized photos (some branches can take them on-site)
Complete the application form
Pay the fee: $20
Receive your IDP immediately (walk-in) or within 10-15 business days (by mail)

The AAA walk-in process takes about 15 minutes. If you are in a hurry, this is the way to go.

By mail:
Download the application from AAA’s website, include your photos, a photocopy of your license (front and back), and a check or money order for $20, and mail it to the address on the form. Processing takes 10-15 business days plus shipping.

Important: Some states have AAA branches that will print your IDP in-branch with a digital photo taken on-site. Call ahead to confirm. If you are within 2-3 weeks of your departure, an in-person visit is safer than mail.

United Kingdom

Since Brexit, UK drivers need an IDP for many destinations where they previously did not. IDPs for UK license holders are issued at Post Office branches across the UK.

Visit a Post Office that offers the IDP service (not all branches do – check online first)
Bring your valid UK photocard driving license
Bring a passport-style photo
Pay the fee: 5.50 GBP
Receive the IDP on the spot

Important: The UK Post Office issues two types of IDP – one based on the 1949 Geneva Convention and one based on the 1968 Vienna Convention. Which one you need depends on your destination. Some countries accept only one, some accept both. The Post Office website has a lookup tool. When in doubt, get both – at 5.50 GBP each, the total cost is 11 GBP, which is still cheaper than arguing with a Turkish police officer.

Countries accepting only the 1949 Convention IDP: USA, Canada, some African and Middle Eastern nations
Countries accepting only the 1968 Convention IDP: Most EU countries, UAE
Countries accepting both: Many; check your specific destination

EU Countries

The process varies by country, but IDPs are typically issued by:

National automobile associations (ADAC in Germany, ANWB in the Netherlands, OEAMTC in Austria, RACE in Spain)
Local government offices in some countries (prefecture in France, Comune in Italy)

Requirements are similar everywhere: valid domestic license, passport photo, application form, and a small fee (usually 10-25 EUR). Processing is often same-day at automobile association offices.

France is an outlier: IDPs for French license holders are free and can be obtained online through official government channels (service-public.fr). The application takes about 15 minutes and the physical document arrives by post within a week.

Australia

IDPs in Australia are issued by the state/territory motoring clubs: NRMA (NSW/ACT), RACV (Victoria), RACQ (Queensland), RAA (South Australia), RAC (Western Australia), RACT (Tasmania), AANT (Northern Territory).

Apply online or visit a branch
Provide your current Australian driver’s license number
Upload or bring a passport-style photo
Pay the fee: approximately $39 AUD
Receive within 2-5 business days (online) or same day (in person at some branches)

Note for Australians: Australia is a signatory to the 1949 Convention but not the 1968 Convention. This means Australian IDPs are accepted in all 1949 Convention countries but not in some countries that only recognize 1968 Convention documents. In practice, this affects very few destinations and is rarely an issue.

Canada

In Canada, IDPs are issued by CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) branches.

Cost: approximately $25 CAD
Requirements: valid Canadian license, two passport photos
Processing: same-day at branches
Validity: 1 year

Cost and Validity

Country of Issue	Cost	Validity	Issued By
United States	$20 USD	1 year	AAA, AATA
United Kingdom	5.50 GBP (per convention)	1 year (1949) or 3 years (1968)	Post Office
Germany	15-20 EUR	3 years	ADAC, municipal offices
France	Free	3 years	Prefecture (online application)
Australia	$39 AUD	1 year	State motoring clubs
Canada	$25 CAD	1 year	CAA
Netherlands	19 EUR	1 year or 3 years	ANWB
Spain	10 EUR	1 year	RACE
Italy	10.20 EUR	1 year	ACI (Automobile Club d’Italia)
Japan	2,350 JPY (~16 USD)	3 years	JAF (Japan Automobile Federation)

A few things to note about validity:

Your IDP cannot be valid longer than your underlying domestic license. If your license expires in six months, your IDP is valid for six months regardless of what it says on the document.
IDPs cannot be renewed. When yours expires, you apply for a new one.
The 1949 Convention IDP is valid for one year. The 1968 Convention IDP is valid for three years (or until your domestic license expires, whichever comes first). If your destination accepts both conventions, the 1968 version is better value.
Allow a buffer: if your domestic license expires during a long trip, your IDP becomes invalid simultaneously. Check your license expiry before departure.

What Happens If You Drive Without One?

The consequences of driving without a required IDP range from “nothing at all” to “genuinely problematic,” depending on the country and the situation.

Scenario 1: Routine police check

In countries where an IDP is required, driving without one is technically a traffic violation. Fines range from modest (20-50 EUR in some European countries) to significant (200+ EUR in Italy, Greece, or the UAE). In practice, many officers will accept your foreign license if it is in the Latin alphabet and the interaction is polite. But you are relying on goodwill, not legal rights.

Fine ranges by country:

Country	Fine for Missing IDP	Additional Consequences
Italy	80-150 EUR	Possible vehicle impoundment in repeated offenses
Greece	100-200 EUR	Usually only a fine
Turkey	150-500 TRY (5-15 USD equivalent)	Low amounts; but accumulate with other violations
Thailand	500-1,000 THB (14-28 USD)	Usually only a fine; sometimes warning
UAE	400-1,000 AED (109-272 USD)	Stricter enforcement; rental car flagged
South Africa	500-1,500 ZAR (27-82 USD)	Most common at roadblocks
Germany	15-30 EUR	Low; but formally a violation

Scenario 2: Rental car pickup

Some rental companies check for an IDP at pickup and will refuse to release the car if you do not have one. This is more common in the Middle East, Asia, and with stricter European companies. Being turned away at the rental counter after a long flight, with no way to obtain an IDP on a weekend in a foreign country, is a particularly miserable experience.

In some airports, you can find solutions — a few cities have services that can process emergency IDP applications, and some consulates can help in extreme cases. But these are expensive, slow, and uncertain. Do not find yourself in this situation.

Scenario 3: After an accident

This is where not having an IDP becomes seriously problematic. If you are involved in an accident and you do not have a required IDP, your insurance position becomes complicated. The rental company’s insurance may still cover the damage (CDW is typically unaffected), but your third-party insurer or credit card company might use the lack of required documentation as grounds to deny a claim.

More critically, if the accident involves another party and goes to court, driving without a required IDP could be treated as driving without a valid license – which has implications for liability, criminal penalties, and your ability to leave the country promptly.

We know someone this happened to in Georgia (the Caucasus country), not the US state. Minor accident on a mountain road, no IDP, technically not legally required in Georgia at the time. But the local police used the missing documentation as justification to complicate the process significantly. Several additional hours of paperwork that would not have been necessary with an IDP. At 20 dollars, the document is the cheapest peace of mind available.

Scenario 4: Nothing happens

Let us be honest: many travelers drive in countries that technically require an IDP without ever being asked for one. In Croatia, Portugal, Bulgaria, and many other countries, tourists routinely rent and drive with just their domestic license and never encounter a problem.

But “probably fine” is not the same as “covered.” The IDP costs 20 dollars and takes ten minutes to get. The downside of not having one, while unlikely, is significant enough that we always carry one. It is the cheapest insurance policy in the history of travel.

IDP and Car Rental Companies

Different rental companies have different IDP policies, and these policies do not always align with local law.

Companies that frequently require an IDP regardless of local law:

Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar – Most major international companies require an IDP for any non-Latin script license (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Cyrillic). Some also require it for all non-local licenses in certain countries.

Companies that are more relaxed:

Local and regional rental companies are generally more flexible. A local agency in Georgia or Albania is unlikely to turn you away for lacking an IDP if your license is in English.

The IDP-at-booking question:

Most online booking platforms ask for your license country during booking, not whether you have an IDP. The IDP check happens at counter pickup. This means you can complete a booking without an IDP and only discover the requirement at the counter — when it is too late to solve the problem.

What to do:

Check your rental company’s IDP policy on their website before booking.
If the policy is unclear, email them directly and ask. Keep the response in your email.
If an IDP is required and you do not have one, some companies will allow you to sign an additional waiver, but this may affect your insurance coverage.

The safest approach is to have an IDP before you arrive. Trying to explain to a rental agent that you read on a forum that an IDP is not actually required in their country is not a conversation that typically ends with you getting a car.

Rental Company Policies by License Origin

Your License	Major Rental Companies	Local Agencies
EU license in EU country	IDP not required	IDP not required
EU license outside EU	IDP often required for non-Latin destinations	Varies; often accepted
US/Canadian/Australian in EU	IDP required or strongly recommended	Sometimes accepted without
US/Canadian/Australian in UAE/Thailand	IDP always required	IDP always required
License in Cyrillic script (Russian, Ukrainian, etc.)	IDP always required	IDP always required
License in Arabic/Chinese/Japanese script	IDP always required	IDP always required

Digital IDP Options

You may have seen websites and apps advertising “digital IDPs” or “e-IDPs” that you can obtain instantly online. We need to be direct about this: the vast majority of these are not legitimate IDPs recognized under international conventions.

A valid IDP is a physical booklet issued by an authorized automobile association in your country. The 1949 and 1968 conventions specify the format, and that format is a printed document with a photo, stamp, and signature. As of 2026, no international convention recognizes a purely digital IDP.

That said, there are developments worth noting:

FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) digital IDP pilot: The FIA has been piloting a digital IDP program through its member clubs. This is the closest thing to a legitimate digital IDP, as the FIA is the umbrella organization for the automobile associations that issue physical IDPs. However, acceptance by police and rental companies is still inconsistent. We would not rely solely on a digital IDP in any country that requires one.

Country-specific digital recognition: A small number of countries are beginning to accept digital driving credentials, but these are domestic programs (like digital driver’s licenses on smartphones) rather than international driving permits.

Our recommendation: Get the physical IDP. It costs less than a meal at an airport restaurant, and it is universally recognized. Keep a digital copy (photo of each page) on your phone as a backup, but carry the original document in your car.

Warning about scam sites: Several websites sell “international driving licenses” or “international driving permits” online for 50-150 dollars, promising instant delivery of a PDF. These are not recognized by any country, any rental company, or any police officer. They are decorative pieces of paper sold at a markup. The legitimate IDP costs 20 dollars from AAA. Do not pay more.

How to Spot a Scam IDP Website

Warning Sign	What It Means
Promises instant digital delivery	Real IDPs are physical booklets; digital versions are not internationally recognized
Price significantly higher than official source ($50-200)	Official IDPs cost $5-40 depending on country; markup suggests non-official source
Claims “approved by United Nations” or “recognized worldwide”	Vague authority claims; legitimate IDPs cite specific conventions (1949/1968 Geneva)
No mention of the automobile association issuing it	Real IDPs are issued by specific, named organizations (AAA, ADAC, RAC, etc.)
Based in a different country than your license	IDPs must be issued in your country of license residence; cross-border issuance is not valid

A Practical Summary

We have covered a lot of ground, so here is the distilled version:

Always get an IDP if:

Your destination legally requires one (see the table above)
Your driver’s license is not in the Latin alphabet
You are renting from a major international company
You want zero hassle at police checkpoints and rental counters

Consider getting an IDP even if not required if:

You are driving in a country where English is not widely spoken
You are planning to drive in multiple countries during one trip
Your license is in English but the format is unfamiliar to locals (some US state licenses are confusing even to other Americans)
You are on a long trip (4+ weeks) where the probability of any checkpoint encounter increases

You can probably skip the IDP if:

You hold an EU license and are driving in another EU country
You are driving in a country that explicitly accepts your specific license without translation
You are renting from a local agency that has confirmed they do not require one

The 10-Step IDP Checklist Before Your Trip

Identify all countries you plan to drive in
Check the IDP requirement table for each country
Note whether your rental company requires an IDP (check their website or call)
If required: identify your authorized issuing organization (AAA, Post Office, ADAC, etc.)
Book an in-person appointment or prepare mail application
Gather documents: current valid license + two passport-sized photos
Submit application and pay fee
Receive physical IDP booklet
Photograph each page of the IDP and email to yourself
Pack IDP with your travel documents; carry it in your car alongside your license

For country-specific IDP requirements, check the driving guide for your destination: Georgia, Turkey, Italy, UAE, South Korea, or any of the other 40+ countries we cover.

And for the broader picture of preparing for an international road trip, our road trip planning guide covers documents, budgeting, and logistics, while our car rental insurance guide ensures you are properly covered when you get behind the wheel.

The IDP is a small document that solves a small problem. But when you are standing at a checkpoint in a country where you do not speak the language, small problems have a way of becoming large ones very quickly. Twenty dollars and ten minutes. That is all it takes.