ABC of Getting an International Driver Permit

An International Driver Permit, or IDP, is a license that allows you to drive a private vehicle in a foreign country. The IDP must be accompanied by the valid license of your country. The IDP is slightly larger than a passport and it has vital statistics and your photograph. It is important to have this license if you are a United States citizen because a U.S. driver license is only acceptable in Canada and western European countries. If you do not have an IDP, you will not get auto insurance in any foreign country. The first step in obtaining an international driver permit is to renew your license. This is because you must have a valid U.S. driver license to get an IDP and it means you have to fulfill all the requirements for driving in the United States. You should check the expiration date of your U.S. driver license to make sure it will be valid for the duration of your trip.

Next, get two passport-size photos. You should make sure they are the right dimensions because the issuer of the IDP will not accept photos that are not the right size. Apply with either of the two agencies authorized by the US Department of State to issue IDPs. You should be aware of scams - individuals or companies claiming that they can get you an IDP are just after your money. The only two agencies you can get an IDP from are the American Automobile Touring Alliance and the AAA or the American Automobile Association. Note that you can make the application online. Online applications are advantageous because of convenience since you do not have to leave your home or office and because you can apply whenever you want, anonymity since all communication and transactions are online, and cost benefits because you do not need to travel.

In the application, you will be required to give personal information and details of your travel such as the length of you stay. After you have applied, contact the agency for details on permit fees. After this, visit the local offices to make the payment and to collect the permit. The combination of a U.S. driver license and an IDP will allow you drive in 150 countries. You should research on whether the country you are visiting is among these 150 countries and if it is not, research on what the country requires you to drive there. You should note that in most countries, the age limit for having a driver license is 18 years. Since the age limit in the United States is 16, this means even if you fulfill all other requirements for getting an International Driver Permit and you are given the permit by the AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance, you may still not qualify to drive in the country.

However, even with an IDP, you should note that wherever you are, driving is a responsibility and a privilege. You should therefore study the traffic rules and regulations of the country you are visiting because some are very different from U.S. rules and regulations, such as driving on the left side of the road in some countries.