If you are looking to embark to an international location the drivers permit is a perfect match for your passport. The permit is a valid form of Identification in 150 countries and is valid for 1 year after the date of issue. When we flew to Europe we knew the public transport was really good but wanted options to drive if we wanted to do a scenic drive on the Amalfi Coast. 

We also had plans for more travel to more international locations this year. Our trip to French Polynesia was next and we knew we would be renting a car for our 2-month visit there. Leading us to have to get a AAA International Driver License before leaving for Europe.  

You can also watch the video on Tiktok or Instagram!

How do you get a AAA International Driver License

Look for the AAA office nearby and confirm they issue this type of permit before heading into a location. You’ll just google “AAA offices near me” and you’ll see a few pop up. We were told you don’t need an appointment, so we just showed up the day we were ready to get ours.

Are you qualified to receive a AAA International Drivers Permit? 

• Must be 18 years old 
• Must hold and have a USA state or territory (ex Guam) drivers license. 

Things to take with you to the office:

• Current and active drivers license from your state 
• 2 recent passport style photos printed and in hand 
• $20 dollar permit fee 

The IDP (International Driving Permit) must be issued in the country where your driver’s license is valid. If you arrive in Europe without it, you can submit an application online, but the delivery time is 5-7 weeks. This wait time is really not ideal for a shorter vacation, so keep that in mind. 

Restrictions of the IDP

• The permit is Valid for One Year
• It’s only Valid with a current driver’s license on your person
• You must carry your U.S.A. Or Territorial License With your IDP at All Times
• Not valid for driving in the United States
• Does not give driving privileges

The IDP has restrictions for a passport and other types of identification. I’m going to explain the last three bullet points because they may be foreign and difficult to understand. 

You Must Carry Your U.S.A. or Territorial License with your IDP at all Times

The IDP translates your current driving license from one language to many languages. When speaking multiple languages, it’s clear that things don’t always translate perfectly. From English to Spanish for example, things can be misunderstood and the same goes for any language translations for that matter.

The USA license states that you have passed the driving school and the requirement to operate a vehicle of a certain weight and ability. The IDP translates that verbiage to 10 different languages so the rental car agent or police officer can understand the version in the language they can read. Some countries will not issue rental cars or motorbikes without this permit. 

To operate a vehicle legally you must have the IDP and the license together. The IDP translates the USA drivers license from English to Spanish to meet the “I am operating within the correct law of a foreign country requirement” for you to operate an automobile. 

Not Valid For Driving In The United States

The permit serves as a translation for a foreign language and won’t hold any value in the USA. 

Does Not Give Driving Privileges

As the permit is a translation it does not automatically give you the privilege to drive. The state or territory license gives you the privilege to drive a vehicle because the state license is issued by a government body and is regulated by that body. 

The IDP Has One Caveat

The regular IDP does not work in Brazil and Uruguay. You will need to purchase the Inter-American driving permit (IADP) for these two countries. The form, fee and all other requirements are the same for this specific permit. 

Final Thoughts

Before departing from the USA or your home country, it’s crucial to ensure your International Driving Permit is recently renewed and readily available, simplifying driving procedures abroad. For a small fee of $20 it gave us the opportunity to drive even though we didn’t feel like we needed it. We did not need our IDP in Canada or Mexico while holding a usa drivers license, but if you don’t want hiccups then grab a permit before leaving your home country.