How to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you’re already traveling outside the US

International Driving Permits (IDPs) are often a necessity if you want to drive while traveling outside the US since many countries require an IDP in addition to a US driver’s license to drive or rent a car. It’s important to understand that AAA (the American Automobile Association) is the only organization authorized by the US government to issue International Driving Permits, so all IDP options must go through AAA, either directly or through an expediter like Fast IDP. 

Here are your two options for getting an IDP if you're already outside the US:

1. By mail with AAA 

If you have several weeks before you need to drive, you can submit your application to AAA by mail.  This option has the major downside of being very slow, taking 5-7 weeks after your documents are received for AAA to send you your IDP. Also, if your IDP application is denied, you won’t hear back until a rejection letter arrives in the mail up to 7 weeks after submitting your documents.  However, it’s the most inexpensive option.

Steps to get an IDP by mail from AAA:

1. Complete and print the IDP application form on the AAA website.

2. Obtain 2 copies of a recent high-quality passport photo of you, either taken professionally or taken at home and printed in on glossy photo paper.

3. Print copies of the front and back of your driver’s license.

4. Include $20 – the AAA website does not specify the forms of payment accepted, but cash and check have worked for applicants in the past

5. Mail all documents all your documents to:

6. Wait 5-7 weeks to receive your IDP in the mail

2. Online through an expediter like Fast IDP

Using Fast IDP to expedite your IDP allows you to get an IDP in as few as 2-5 days and eliminates the need to print passport photos or go to a foreign post office to mail your application. With a service like ours, all you need to do is fill out your AAA IDP application and upload your passport photo and license online. After that, the Fast IDP team will handle the submission to AAA for you. Fast IDP is currently the only business in the US we know of offering this service.

Steps to obtain an IDP using Fast IDP:

1. Complete and upload your IDP application from AAA.

2. Take photos of the front and back of your driver’s license and upload them on Fast IDP’s secure portal.

3. Take your passport photos (at home or somewhere with a passport photo service) and upload them on Fast IDP’s secure portal.

4. Submit your application and payment, which varies depending on your location and desired processing speed.

5. The Fast IDP team will review your documents for completeness and reach out to you if they see anything you need to adjust in your application.

6. A Fast IDP team member will go to AAA on your behalf to submit your documents and then will mail your IDP to you.

7. You receive your IDP in 4-10 days after you submitted your application, depending on the processing speed selected.

If you have questions, visit www.fastidp.com or contact us - we're happy to help.

Don’t get scammed

Whatever you do, don’t get scammed by a website claiming to offer an IDP instantly online or without involving AAA. Though a company like Fast IDP can legally expedite International Driving Permits through AAA, AAA is the only organization authorized to issue IDPs to US drivers. There is no “instant” or “online only” way to get a legitimate IDP – your documents must be physically handled by AAA in order for them to issue an IDP. If you buy a fake IDP from any other company, you put yourself at the same risk as if you were driving with a fake license or using a fake ID when traveling abroad.

Whether you opt for getting an IDP directly from AAA or expedited through us or another business, we wish you safe driving abroad!