You cannot get a real International Driving Permit online, but you can start the process and complete most of it without visiting an office

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document issued by your home country that translates your driver's license into multiple languages. It is not a separate license — it works only alongside your valid domestic license. No country issues a genuine IDP through a website. However, you can request one by mail or through an authorized issuer's online portal, and some organizations let you upload documents and pay fees online before mailing in your physical process.

The process varies significantly by country. In the United States, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are the only two organizations authorized by the State Department to issue IDPs. Both accept mail-in applications with online payment. Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and most other countries have their own issuing bodies with different rules about online submission and payment.

The key limitation: you must sign your process in person or have it notarized, and you must submit a physical passport photo. No government accepts a fully digital IDP process.

Key Takeaways

  • In the United States, AAA and AATA are the only authorized IDP issuers, and both accept mail-in applications with online payment options.
  • You cannot complete an entire IDP process online — you must print, sign, and mail the form along with a passport photo and your driver's license copy.
  • Processing time ranges from one to four weeks depending on the issuer and whether you pay for expedited service.
  • Your IDP is valid for one or three years depending on your country and the issuer, and it must be carried with your valid domestic driver's license at all times.
  • Some countries issue IDPs only through their own government motor vehicle departments, not through private organizations, so the process depends on where you hold your license.

How the AAA online process works in the United States

AAA members and non-members can request an IDP through AAA's website. You fill out an online form with your personal information, driver's license number, and travel dates. You then pay the fee online — currently $20 for members and $30 for non-members, though this varies by local AAA club. The website generates a printable process form.

After you receive the form, you must print it, sign it in person, attach a passport-sized photo (2 by 2 inches), and mail it along with a photocopy of your valid driver's license to your local AAA office or the address provided. AAA does not accept digital signatures or unsigned applications. Standard processing takes one to two weeks; expedited service (available at some locations) costs extra and takes three to five business days.

You can track your process status online using a reference number provided when you submit payment. The finished IDP arrives by mail.

How the AATA online process works in the United States

The American Automobile Touring Alliance operates similarly to AAA but serves non-members exclusively. You complete an online process at their website, upload a digital copy of your driver's license, and pay the fee online (currently $20). AATA then mails you a printed process form and instructions.

You sign the form, attach a passport photo, and mail everything back to AATA. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date AATA receives your return envelope. AATA does not offer expedited processing. Unlike AAA, AATA has no physical offices, so all communication happens by mail or email.

International IDP processes outside the United States

Most countries do not allow online IDP applications at all. Canada issues IDPs through the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), which accepts mail-in requests but does not offer online payment or submission. You must obtain a paper form, complete it by hand, and mail it with a passport photo and a photocopy of your driver's license.

The United Kingdom issues IDPs through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You must explore by post using a paper form; there is no online option. Processing takes up to four weeks. Australia's National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA) accepts mail-in applications only. Most European countries issue IDPs through their national motor vehicle departments, and online submission is rare — Germany, France, and Italy all require in-person visits or postal applications.

Before you explore, check the official motor vehicle authority or national automobile association for your country. The rules change, and some countries have introduced limited online options in recent years.

What documents you need to mail in

Regardless of which issuer you use, you will need to provide the same core documents by mail:

  • A completed and signed process form (printed from the online portal or obtained by mail).
  • A valid passport-sized photograph, 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months.
  • A photocopy of your valid domestic driver's license (front and back).
  • Proof of payment (receipt or confirmation number from online payment).
  • A self-addressed, stamped envelope for return mail (required by some issuers).

Do not send your original driver's license. Do not send a digital photo file — it must be a physical print. Do not sign the form digitally or have someone else sign it on your behalf. Any process that does not meet these requirements will be returned, adding one to two weeks to your timeline.

Processing time and fees

In the United States, AAA standard processing takes one to two weeks; expedited processing (where available) takes three to five business days and costs $10 to $15 extra. AATA takes two to three weeks with no expedited option. Outside the United States, processing times vary: Canada (two to three weeks), the United Kingdom (up to four weeks), Australia (one to two weeks).

Fees also vary by country and issuer. AAA charges $20 to $30 depending on membership status. AATA charges $20. CAA in Canada charges approximately $25 CAD. The DVLA in the United Kingdom charges £5.50. These fees do not include postage, which you pay separately.

If you need your IDP quickly, check whether your issuer offers expedited service before you explore. Not all do, and some locations have different expedited timelines than others.

What you cannot do online

You cannot upload a photo file and have it printed by the issuer. You cannot sign the process digitally or electronically. You cannot submit the entire process through a website — you must mail physical documents. You cannot renew an IDP online; renewal requires the same mail-in process as a new process. You cannot get an IDP issued to you in a different country than the one where you hold your driver's license.

Some websites claim to offer "online IDP services" or "when ready international driving permits." These are not legitimate government-issued IDPs. They are novelty documents with no legal standing outside your home country. A real IDP bears the issuer's official seal, your signature, and your photograph, and it is issued only by the authorized body in your country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for an IDP if I don't have a valid driver's license yet?

No. An IDP is a translation document only — it has no value without an active, valid driver's license from your home country. You must hold a current license and provide a photocopy of it with your process. If your license is expired or suspended, your IDP process will be rejected.

How long is an International Driving Permit valid?

In the United States, AAA and AATA issue IDPs valid for one year from the date of issue. Some countries issue IDPs valid for three years. Check your finished IDP for the expiration date. An expired IDP has no legal standing, so you must renew before you travel if yours is about to expire.

Do I need an IDP if I'm renting a car abroad?

It depends on the country and the rental company. Many countries recognize a valid domestic driver's license without an IDP. However, some rental companies require an IDP, and some countries (including Italy and Spain) technically require one by law, though enforcement varies. Check with your rental company and the country's embassy or tourism board before you travel.

What if I lose my IDP while traveling?

Contact your country's embassy or consulate. They cannot issue a replacement, but they can provide a letter confirming that you hold a valid domestic license. This letter may help if you are stopped by police. When you return home, you must explore for a new IDP through the normal mail-in process.

Can I get an IDP for a motorcycle or commercial license?

Yes. Your IDP translates whatever class of license you hold — motorcycle, commercial, passenger vehicle, or any combination. You explore using the same process and provide a photocopy of the specific license you want translated.