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How to apply for an IDP and
an IADP
Requirements
To apply for an International Driving
Permit or an Inter-American Driving Permit, you must be at least age 18,
and you will need to present two passport-size photographs signed on the
back and your valid U.S. State driver's license which is not under
revocation or suspension and which is valid at the time the permit is
issued, regardless of expiration. The cost of an international driving
permit for U.S. license holders is currently $15.
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)
How will I benefit by carrying an
International Driving Permit on my next overseas trip?
The International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that provides
important information from your driver’s license in eleven different
languages, including English. This document came into existence by
virtue of a treaty signed in 1949 by the United Nations and other
foreign countries. As an official document, the IDP is recognized in
over 150 countries today. Carried in conjunction with a valid U.S.
driver’s license, the IDP can help break down language barriers when
traveling in non-English speaking countries. In addition, the IDP
provides an additional source of identification. The $15 charge for an
IDP is a small price to pay for such peace of mind.
I am traveling to South America,
so which permit should I request?
The International Driving Permit is valid for South America, EXCEPT
Brazil and Uruguay. The Inter-American Driving Permit (IADP) must be
issued for those two countries.
Am I required to have an IDP in
foreign countries?
There are some countries that do not recognize a driver’s license
from the United States, but officially recognize an IDP (e.g. Hungary).
There are other countries that honor a valid United States driver’s
license, but require a local language translation (e.g. Spain). The IDP
can satisfy these types of situations. Keep in mind, however, that
while a certain country’s government may not require an IDP, car rental
companies located in that country, such as Hertz, may require an IDP to
rent a car. Purchasing an IDP prior to departure can save a lot of
potential hassles, and it may be helpful as identification.
What happens if I am stopped and
given a citation against my IDP?
The IDP does not hold any powers of its own apart from your valid
U.S. driver’s license, and therefore, you do not have a separate driving
permit with an IDP. The IDP is valid only when carried in
conjunction with and acts as a translation of a valid U.S. driver’s
license. If you are traveling in a foreign country and were to be
stopped by a law enforcement officer, your U.S. driver’s license and IDP
should be presented to the officer. If a citation is issued to you, it
will be reflected on the driving record that is with your driver’s
license.
What if the country I’m visiting
is not listed on the back of the application?
There are some countries that are not on the list because they did
not ratify the treaty that brought the IDP into existence; however, they
may require and/or honor an IDP. China is the country asked about most
frequently. For this reason, the IDP includes a Chinese translation.
Since Hong Kong was transferred
from Great Britain to China, do I still need an IDP to drive there?
The United Nations recently provided official notification to the
U.S. State Department indicating that the treaty which applies to Hong
Kong at present will continue to apply to the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region, the name given to the territory by China. Such
notification should not be misconstrued to mean that China now
recognizes IDPs, as the People's Republic of China has never become a
party to the treaty.
Can I use a scanned/digital
photograph?
Scanned photographs are still not acceptable, however digital
photographs are acceptable. They must be of a certain quality. Please
read http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/digital_photography.html
for guidelines. Polaroid type photographs are still acceptable.
Photographs can be either color or black and white. Photocopies are not
acceptable.
If someone visits the United
States from a foreign country and discovers that they need an IDP, can
they purchase one from AAA?
An IDP must be issued in the same country that issued the driver’s
license of the traveler. Therefore, if someone from the United Kingdom
has a U.K. drivers license, their IDP must also be issued in the United
Kingdom.
I have a U.S. driver’s license,
but I am a citizen of another country. Where should I obtain an IDP?
The IDP must be issued in the same country that issued the driver’s
license. In the case of a driver’s license being issued in the United
States, the IDP must also be issued in the United States. Contact your
nearest AAA office to obtain an IDP.
If someone has a driver’s license
from a U.S. territory such as Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin
Islands, how would an IDP work for them?
Since their driver’s license was issued by a U.S. possession, their
IDP would also be issued in the United States. Contact a AAA office in
the United States, and the IDP can be issued and mailed.
What do I need to obtain an IDP?
You need to complete a brief application form (available through
this Internet web site, or your nearest AAA office), provide 2
passport-sized photographs** (2"x2") with your signature on the back of
them, a photocopy of both sides of your valid U.S. issued drivers
license, and a check or money order for $15 in U.S. funds. If
transacting by mail, these items would need to be mailed to a AAA office
in the United States. Otherwise, everything can be handled in a single
office visit.
Can I use the IDP as a primary
form of identification?
No. There have been instances of travelers being denied aircraft
boarding when the IDP was the only form of identification offered.
What languages are used in the
IDP?
Information in the IDP is covered in 11 languages: English, French,
Italian, Swedish, German, Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, Japanese,
Russian and Portuguese.
What do I need to do next?
Download application and bring it with your passport photos
and payment to your nearest AAA Club office. If applying from overseas
or outside a club territory,
click here to download application.
If you prefer to secure your
International Driving Permit through the mail, enclose your completed
application form, two ORIGINAL passport-type photos each signed on the
back, a $15USD*
permit fee and a photocopy of both sides of your driver's license and
mail them to the AAA office nearest you. Include additional U.S. funds
for expedited return mail service, if desired. (See USPS.com or DHL.com
for rates.)
NOTE: If you are currently overseas you can mail your completed
application to the following office and address:
AAA/IDP
1000 AAA Drive
Heathrow, FL 32746
Attn: Mailstop #28
*Funds must be in U.S. dollars.
Acceptable forms of payment are U.S. bank check or money order payable
to AAA and these major credit cards with expiration date- Visa,
MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card.
**Digital photographs are
acceptable; however, they must be of a certain quality. Please read
http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/digital_photography.html
for guidelines.
WARNING--
International Driving Permits Issued by unauthorized persons: The
Department of State is aware that IDPs are being sold over the Internet
and in person by persons not authorized by the Department of State
pursuant to the requirements of the U.N. Convention of 1949. Moreover,
many of these IDPs are being sold for large sums of money, far greater
than the sum charged by entities authorized by the Department of State.
Consumers experiencing problems should report problems to their local
office of the U.S. Postal Inspector, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the
Better Business Bureau, or their state or local Attorney General’s
Office.
If you need additional information,
please contact
AAA International Relations.
If you are a AAA member, click here. |
