How long is an International Driving Permit valid?

A 1949 Geneva IDP is valid for one year from issue and cannot be renewed. A 1968 Vienna IDP can last up to three years, but never beyond the expiry date of your home driving licence.

International Driving Permit by Country [Free Tool]

International Driving Permit Requirements by Country

Check whether you need an International Driving Permit to drive abroad, which treaty convention applies, how long it lasts, and what to carry with it.

directions_car Your licence and destination

Where your driving licence was issued

Country you want to drive in

Your route

Destination	IDP status	Convention	IDP validity	Documents to carry

What an International Driving Permit actually is

An International Driving Permit, or IDP, is not a licence. It is an official translation of your existing driving licence into several languages, and it is only valid when carried alongside that original licence. It does not let you drive in your own country, and it does not replace the need to hold a full licence at home. Think of it as a booklet that lets foreign police and rental desks read your credentials, which is exactly why some countries require one and others do not.

The two conventions that decide everything

Whether your IDP is accepted abroad comes down to two United Nations treaties. The 1949 Geneva Convention produces an IDP valid for one year. The 1968 Vienna Convention produces one valid for up to three years, or until your home licence expires, whichever comes first. A country only recognises the IDP of a convention it has signed, so the permit you can obtain depends on where your licence was issued, and whether it is accepted depends on your destination. The United States, for example, issues 1949 Geneva permits, which is why a US IDP lasts one year.

Where to get a genuine IDP, and the scam warning

Only a small number of bodies are authorised to issue IDPs in each country. In the United States that is strictly the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), and the US government openly warns that other websites selling international licences are often fraudulent. Elsewhere it is usually the national automobile association or a government office. If a site promises an instant digital international licence for a large fee, treat it as a scam. A real IDP is inexpensive and issued by an authorised organisation in the country that issued your licence.

Countries where an IDP is required or strongly advised

A genuine legal requirement is less common than the sellers suggest, but it is real in places. Japan requires a 1949 Geneva IDP and recognises no other, with a handful of countries needing an official Japanese translation instead. Thailand and much of the Gulf expect tourists to carry an IDP with their home licence. Many European countries exempt EU and EEA licences entirely but advise non-EU visitors to carry one. And a few countries, most notably mainland China, do not recognise the IDP at all and require a temporary local licence. The checker above shows the status for your exact combination.

What to carry when you drive abroad

Your original home driving licence, always, since the IDP is not valid without it.
Your IDP, where the destination requires or recommends one.
Your passport and, for rentals, a credit card in the driver’s name.
A certified translation where a specific country asks for one instead of an IDP.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on where your licence was issued and where you want to drive. Some countries require an IDP, some only recommend it, some exempt certain licences, and a few do not recognise it at all. Use the checker above to see the status for your exact route, and always carry your home licence with the IDP.

They are two United Nations treaties that govern the IDP. A 1949 Geneva permit is valid for one year, while a 1968 Vienna permit is valid for up to three years or until your home licence expires. A country recognises only the convention it has signed, so the right permit depends on your licence and your destination.

A 1949 Geneva IDP is valid for one year from issue and cannot be renewed, so you apply again when it lapses. A 1968 Vienna IDP can last up to three years, but never beyond the expiry date of your home driving licence.

From an authorised body in the country that issued your licence. In the United States that is only AAA or the AATA. Elsewhere it is usually the national automobile association or a government office. Avoid websites selling instant international licences, as many are scams.

No. An IDP is only a translation of your existing licence and is never valid on its own. You must carry your original home driving licence with it at all times, and it does not let you drive in the country that issued it.

The main one is mainland China, which does not recognise the International Driving Permit and requires visitors to obtain a temporary Chinese licence. Most other countries accept an IDP under one or both conventions, though EU and EEA licences are often exempt within Europe.

About this tool. This free Boarding Gate checker summarises International Driving Permit rules using published guidance from sources such as the US State Department, national automobile associations, and the UN road traffic conventions. Rules change and vary by licence type and length of stay, and the figures can be adjusted. This is a planning guide, not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the destination’s authority and obtain your IDP only from an authorised issuer.