International Driving Permit in the USA: How to Apply, Fees and Photo Requirements

Preview is 100% FREE.
Take an image with a smartphone against any background, upload it here and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport or ID.
Additional options
Take an image with a smartphone against any background, upload it here and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport or ID.
Upload photo & Continue

If you plan to drive overseas, an International Driving Permit (IDP) can help you meet local driving requirements and collect your rental car. You can apply for a U.S.-issued IDP with a valid U.S. driver's license, but you must carry both documents when driving abroad.

International Driving Permit in the USA

This guide explains who can apply, how AAA's branch, mail and online options work, what they cost, and how to prepare the required photos. It covers permits issued against U.S. licenses for use abroad, not driving permission for foreign visitors to the United States.

Table of contents

What is an International Driving Permit?

An IDP is a booklet that translates details from your driver's license into several languages. It includes your photograph, personal information and the vehicle categories you are licensed to drive. This helps police officers and rental companies understand a license issued in another country.

An IDP supplements your license; it does not replace it. You cannot use one to drive with an expired or suspended license, and it does not grant permission to drive a vehicle your license does not cover. It also does not include auto insurance.

You may see the phrase "international driver's license" in searches or advertisements. The document covered here is an International Driving Permit. A translation sold under a different name is not automatically a valid IDP.

Do you need an International Driving Permit to drive abroad?

Whether you need an IDP depends on the destination and your rental agreement. Some places accept a U.S. license for a short visit, others require an IDP or another authorized translation. A rental company can also ask for an IDP even where local law does not require one.

Before booking, check the driving rules for each country on your itinerary and the rental company's conditions for your pickup location. Confirm the minimum rental age, license requirements and insurance coverage as well. For a multi-country road trip, check every country you intend to drive through, not just the one where you collect the car.

Do not confuse recognition with a legal requirement: a country appearing on an IDP recognition list does not necessarily require every visiting driver to carry one. Equally, an IDP does not override local restrictions. If you move abroad, local rules may require you to obtain or exchange a driver's license rather than continue driving as a visitor.

Who can apply for an International Driving Permit in the USA?

The basic IDP requirements in the U.S. are that you are at least 18 and hold a valid U.S. state or territorial driver's license. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement, but you must meet the selected issuer's eligibility conditions. A foreign license by itself does not qualify for a U.S.-issued IDP.

Your license must remain valid when you use the permit. If it expires shortly, renew it before arranging the IDP, or confirm the issuing office's minimum remaining-validity requirement. Do not assume that an IDP will give you an extra year of driving after your domestic license expires.

Choose vehicle categories that match your license. For example, permission to drive a passenger car does not by itself qualify you to ride a motorcycle abroad. Destination-specific restrictions still apply.

Where can you get an International Driving Permit in the USA?

The U.S. State Department lists the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) as IDP sources in its guidance on driving abroad. This article focuses on AAA's application routes; another issuer's fees and procedures may differ.

You do not need AAA membership to apply. However, not every office offers the service, and clubs can have different payment, photography and processing arrangements. Contact the office you intend to use before traveling there.

Start an online application through the issuer's official website. Be cautious about a site that promises an instant digital "license" without checking your existing driving credentials. A legitimate IDP cannot create driving privileges you do not already have.

Documents required for an International Driving Permit

Have the following ready before starting your application:

AAA's current paper application asks for two identical recent 2x2-inch passport-style photos, each signed on the back. It also provides space for your contact information, foreign address if known, and the vehicle categories covered by your license.

Bring the original license for an in-person application. For a mailed application, the national form requests a copy of both sides, not your original license. Use the receiving office's current instructions for payment and delivery.

International Driving Permit photo requirements (USA)

For AAA's standard paper application, prepare two identical passport-style photographs measuring 2x2 inches. Online applications use a digital photograph instead, following the selected service's instructions.

Printed IDP Photo Size and Number of Copies

The 2x2-inch measurement refers to each individual photograph. It is not the size of the larger sheet on which several copies may be printed. Our 2x2 photo guide explains the format in more detail.

Use a separate portrait rather than cropping your face out of a scan of your license. A license scan is evidence of your driving credentials, not a suitable source for a new ID photograph.

IDP Photo Appearance and Quality

Choose a clear portrait taken straight on, with your head upright and your eyes visible. Keep a neutral expression and avoid a close-up camera angle that distorts your face. The head and shoulders should be clearly framed, with no other people or distracting objects in the finished image.

Check for blur, reflections, strong facial shadows and unnatural skin tones. Do not use beauty filters or change facial features. The finished photograph should make it easy to recognize you.

Digital Photos for an Online IDP Application

The digital portrait and the images of your driver's license are separate parts of the application. Follow the photo field's current capture or upload instructions; do not submit the whole license as your portrait.

Use the formats and file limits displayed by the service you choose. Printed dimensions alone do not establish a universal online pixel size or file-size limit. Some services guide you through taking a photograph, while others describe an upload step.

For branch applications, confirm whether the office accepts photographs you bring or uses its own photography procedure before ordering prints.

Example of a 2x2-inch passport-style photo for an International Driving Permit application in the USA

Get your International Driving Permit photos online with Visafoto!

Preparing your photographs at home lets you assemble a postal application or arrive at a branch with the photo requirement already taken care of. Visafoto turns a phone or camera portrait into a properly sized 2x2-inch photograph and a printable template, so you do not have to arrange a separate studio visit.

Take Your IDP Photo at Home

Ask someone to take your picture with a smartphone or camera, or use a timer with the device at eye level. Face the camera, keep your head straight and include your head, shoulders and some space around them. Take several shots so you can choose a sharp image with your eyes open.

You do not need a white wall or a finished studio setup. Visafoto can replace the background and improve less-than-ideal lighting. Leave enough room around your head and shoulders for the service to adjust the framing.

Example of the photo you can upload to Visafoto:

The original photo example

Upload the image to Visafoto and select the United States and the 2x2-inch passport-photo format for your printed application. The service automatically adjusts the dimensions, crop, background and head position within the frame. It can also improve brightness, contrast, resolution and overall image quality while preserving your facial features and identity.

Upload photo & Continue

Download Your IDP Photo and Printable Template

Visafoto supplies a digital photograph and a print-ready layout.

For an online IDP application that accepts a prepared image, use the digital file in accordance with that service's upload instructions. A digital photo does not replace a capture step if the selected service requires one.

The result after Visafoto editing:

Example photo for a U.S. International Driving Permit
Photos for a U.S. International Driving Permit for printing

Get Help With Your IDP Photograph

Visafoto's 24/7 support team can help with photo preparation and the files you receive. If an issuing authority rejects a photograph purchased from Visafoto, you can request a 100% refund of the photo-service payment. This guarantee covers your Visafoto purchase, not the permit fee, delivery charges or other application costs.

Upload photo & Continue

Print the prepared layout as a regular photographic print, then cut out two 2x2-inch copies. A pharmacy or photo lab can handle the printing; a full-service passport-photo session is a different product.

  1. Download your purchased printable template rather than a screenshot or the watermarked illustration below.
  2. Choose the exact paper size for that file. For a 4x6-inch layout, order a 4x6-inch print.
  3. Keep the complete layout in the preview. Do not enlarge one portrait to fill the whole sheet.
  4. Disable automatic cropping or resizing where those settings are available.
  5. After collection, measure each photograph before cutting. It should be 2 inches wide and 2 inches high.
  6. Cut out two identical photographs and sign their backs as instructed on your application.

See our guides to printing passport photos, CVS photo services and Walgreens photo services for practical printing instructions. Check the store's current print price and available service before ordering.

Illustrative print layout containing four 2x2-inch photographs on a 4x6-inch sheet

How to apply for an International Driving Permit through AAA

Choose the route that fits your travel date and the service available to you. A nearby branch is worth checking if you need the permit quickly; mail and online applications require delivery time.

Application route Photo submission How you receive the permit
In person Supplied photographs or the branch's local photography procedure Collect the physical permit at the branch
By mail Enclose the required printed photographs Return delivery
Online Follow the digital photo capture or upload steps A physical permit is mailed to you

Start with AAA's official IDP application guidance, which provides the application form, branch information and official online application link.

Apply for an IDP at a AAA Branch

  1. Confirm that the office issues IDPs and ask about appointments, photo arrangements and payment.
  2. Complete the application with your license details and requested effective date.
  3. Bring your valid driver's license, the requested photographs and payment.
  4. Before leaving, check your name, vehicle categories and the permit dates.

Apply for an IDP by Mail

  1. Complete and sign the paper form.
  2. Enclose two photographs, signed on the back, and copies of both sides of your license.
  3. Include the accepted payment and return-delivery arrangements.
  4. Send the package to the receiving office's specified address and keep a copy of what you submitted.

The national form specifies a U.S.-bank check or money order payable to AAA for postal applications. Do not mail cash. Confirm the full amount, including any local taxes or postage, before sending the package.

Apply for an IDP Online

  1. Open the application service from AAA's official website.
  2. Follow the ordering and application prompts, including delivery selection.
  3. Enter your details and provide the photograph and license images requested.
  4. Review the information, sign electronically and complete the required payment steps.
  5. Save the confirmation and monitor processing and shipping updates.

Applying online does not produce an instant electronic permit. You must receive the physical document before relying on it for driving.

How much does an International Driving Permit cost?

AAA's published base permit fee is $20, but that is not always the final amount you pay. Photo services, shipping, tax and local processing arrangements can add to the total.

For example, AAA Auto Club Group's current service page advertises online applications starting at $30 plus shipping. Its branch and postal arrangements have separate details. Those figures should not be treated as a universal quote for every AAA club or another issuer.

If you prepare photographs with Visafoto, the photo-service charge is $9. Printing is separate. Bringing photographs does not necessarily remove a local club's processing charge or an online service's bundled photo fee.

How long does it take to get an International Driving Permit?

In-person applications can be the quickest option, but processing time and delivery time are different things. Check both before deciding whether a service fits your departure date.

Application route Timing to plan around
Participating AAA branch Same-day issuance may be available; confirm with the office
AAA's nationally advertised online route Allow five business days for processing, plus return shipping
Postal application Depends on the receiving office and delivery method; Auto Club Group advises allowing two to four weeks from receipt
Overseas postal return through AAA's national instructions Allow five to seven weeks for return mail

These are published estimates, not delivery guarantees. Incomplete applications, payment problems, weekends, holidays and shipping delays can leave less time than you expected. Confirm that the office has everything it needs before making plans that depend on receiving the permit.

Can You Get an International Driving Permit the Same Day?

A participating branch may issue an IDP during your visit. Call first to confirm service availability, the documents required and any cutoff time. If your flight is close, do not assume that expedited shipping removes the time needed to process an online or mailed application.

Can you apply for a U.S. International Driving Permit while abroad?

Yes. AAA publishes online and postal options for applicants who are already overseas and hold a qualifying U.S. license. Confirm delivery to your location and allow time to receive the physical booklet.

For the overseas postal route, AAA currently lists this receiving address:

AAA/IDP, Attn: Mail Stop #28, 1000 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746.

Use the current application instructions when assembling the package and confirm return postage before mailing it. Keep your original license with you; the mailed application calls for copies of both sides.

An organization in another country cannot issue a U.S.-license-based IDP simply because you are visiting that country. An order confirmation is not a substitute for the permit, so arrange other transportation while you wait if an IDP is required for your trip.

How long is a U.S. International Driving Permit valid?

A U.S.-issued IDP has a maximum validity of one year and must be used with a valid underlying license. Check the actual start and expiration dates on the booklet; do not calculate your driving entitlement from the date you ordered it online.

AAA's application requires the requested effective date to fall within six months of the application. Choose a date that fits your first planned use rather than assuming you can order a permit years ahead.

You can use the same valid permit for more than one trip where it is recognized and meets local requirements. You do not need a new permit merely because you cross another border. However, an IDP does not let you ignore local limits on how long a visitor or new resident can drive on a foreign license.

Can You Renew or Replace an IDP?

AAA describes IDPs as nonrenewable. When yours expires, apply for a new one. Its Auto Club Group guidance also says a lost or stolen permit cannot simply be duplicated: you must submit a new application and purchase a new permit.

Carry your original driver's license and physical IDP together when driving. Keeping separate scans can help you record the details if documents are lost, but scans are not replacements for the originals.

International Driving Permit FAQ

Can I Get an IDP Without Being a AAA Member?

Yes. AAA issues IDPs to eligible nonmembers as well as members. Membership may affect the price of photographs or other branch benefits, not the basic requirement to hold a qualifying license.

Can a Non-U.S. Citizen Get an International Driving Permit in the USA?

Yes, U.S. citizenship is not required. You need a qualifying U.S. state or territorial driver's license and must meet the issuer's other conditions. Holding a foreign passport or a U.S. visa alone is not sufficient.

Can I Apply With a Learner's Permit or Temporary License?

A learner's permit is not a substitute for the valid driver's license required for an IDP. If you have an interim paper license after renewal or replacement, ask the issuing office whether it can accept that document before applying. Do not assume a temporary document will also satisfy your rental company abroad.

Can Someone Submit or Collect My IDP for Me?

Ask the receiving office before sending another person. Do not assume that one branch's arrangements apply nationwide. Your application must contain your own accurate details and signature, and the office may need particular identification or authorization for a representative.

Can I Use the Photo Printed on My Driver's License?

No. Prepare a separate passport-style portrait. An enlarged crop from a license image may be blurred and contain security patterns, marks or an unsuitable background. Upload the license images only in the fields intended for them.

Does an IDP Allow Me to Rent a Motorcycle Abroad?

Only if your underlying license covers the appropriate motorcycle category and you also satisfy the destination's laws and rental conditions. An IDP based on a car-only license does not add motorcycle privileges.

What If My Name or Address Differs Between My Documents?

Enter your license details accurately and resolve any uncertainty with the issuer before paying. Distinguish the license-holder information from a mailing address. Do not alter an image of your license to make it match another document.

Is a Digital International Driving License Valid?

Do not confuse an online application with an electronic permit. AAA's online service sends a physical IDP. An unofficial PDF or phone image sold as an instant international license is not a substitute for that document and your valid domestic license.

Can a Foreign Visitor Get a U.S. IDP Using a Foreign License?

No. AAA does not issue an IDP against a license from another country. Obtain the appropriate permit through an authorized issuer for your home license. If you are visiting the United States, check the driving requirements of the states you will visit rather than applying for an IDP intended for U.S. license holders traveling abroad.

Last updated: October 21, 2026.