When traveling abroad, some folks like to rent a vehicle—nothing affords more freedom for your trip than being able to hop in the car and go wherever you choose!

International Driving Licence
International Drivers Licence Ireland
International Drivers Licence Northern Ireland

If you plan to rent a car while in a foreign country, you'll likely need an International Driving Permit.

What Are International Driving Permits?

You can use your Great Britain (GB) or Northern Ireland driving licence in all EU or European Economic Area (EEA) countries, and Switzerland, during stays of up to 12 months. An international drivers license in Ireland can also come in handy if you are stopped by police while driving on the roadways or if you happen to get into a fender-bender. The license eliminates language barriers in Ireland and any other location throughout Europe so you can get back on the road and enjoy your time in the country. Do you need an international Drivers Licence to drive in Ireland? Your full US, Canadian or EU driving licence allows you to drive in Ireland both North and South. There are some age and other restrictions on renting cars in Ireland, for more details on this please click here. Do you drive on the right side of the road? We drive on the left. International Driving Permits (1926, 1949) How to Get an International Driving Permit in Ireland? An International Driving Permit is a translation of your national driving license. The IDP allows motorists to drive vehicles in foreign countries. You must always have your IDP along with your national license at. Holders of Foreign Licences. You must first pass a driver theory test, apply for a learner permit, complete a course of Essential Driver Training (EDT) and pass your driving test in Ireland. If you pass your driving test, you can then apply for a full Irish driving licence.

The International Driving Permit (IDP), often (and incorrectly) referred to as International Driving License, is a document that, along with your valid home driver's license, allows you to legally drive a motor vehicle while abroad.

Understand that an IDP does NOT REPLACE your U.S.-issued driver's license; rather, it acts as a language translation of your driver's license and features your:

Full name.
Photograph.
Relevant driver information.

The following requirements and restrictions apply:

You must:
- Be at least 18 years old to apply.
- Carry BOTH your IDP and your valid driver's license when driving abroad.
- Obtain your IDP from the same country that issued your driver's license.
You may NOT use your IDP to drive within the country in which it was issued.
Your IDP is valid, with a valid U.S. driver's license, for up to 1 year from the date it's issued.
- You cannot renew your IDP, but you can apply for a new permit when necessary.

Apply for an International Driving Permit

For citizens of the United States, the U.S. government requires you apply for an International Driving Permit with either the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA).

Again, you must be 18 years old or older with a valid U.S. driver's license to apply for an IDP.

Both agencies thoroughly outline their application requirements on their forms, but basic application instructions include:

Completing the appropriate IDP application.
- AAA application.
- AATA application.
Presenting your valid U.S.-issued driver's license.
- If the agency allows you to apply by mail, you must send a photocopy of both sides of your driver's license.
Producing (or mailing) 2 photos of yourself.
- These photos must be passport-sized and signed on the back.
Making the applicable payment.
- Payments vary depending on the shipping method, destination, and processing time and are listed on the applications.
Correctly submitting your application.
- Generally, you can submit your application and other documents in person or via mail; inquire about online submission options with the specific agency.

Additionally, you might be able to apply while you're already abroad. Contact the agency for details.

Avoiding IDP Fraud

Unfortunately, numerous organizations sell fake International Driving Permits, and most of them charge much more than the regular fee; so, by falling prey to these scam companies, not only will you lose money, but also you'll end up with a fake document—something you don't want to show up with after traveling to your destination country.

Remember, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are the only organizations approved for issuing IDPs.

If you believe you've been sold a fake International Driving Permit, report the fraud using the FTC Complaint Assistant.

NOTE: Many couriers offer delivery services for authorized issuers of IDPs. If you choose to utilize these services, make sure the courier runs your application through AAA or AATA.

Learn the Rules of the Road

As a driver in a foreign country, it's crucial you understand the local rules of the road. Naturally, actions like drunk driving and distracted driving are dangerous anywhere in the world, but what about other specific laws?

Gathering such information from across the globe can seem intimidating, so your safest bet is to check with the country's embassy or consulates within the United States. You can find the appropriate embassy on the State Department's guide to Web Sites of Foreign Embassies in the U.S., and if these agencies can't provide you with driving regulations, they can point you in the direction of where to find them.

Foreign Drivers in the United States

You must have a valid driver license to drive in the United States—especially if you plan to rent a car, which is common among foreign visitors.

However, requirements for holding International Driving Permits and other official documents vary by state; some require them and some don't. Play it safe by contacting the motor vehicle agency for the state(s) in which you plan to drive. These agencies also can help you learn the rules of the road while you're here.

Of course, some IDP and other license requirements depend on how long you plan to stay in the U.S.—such as, for example, if you're a short-time visitor versus a non-citizen resident. We'll help you learn the differences on our guide to driving in the United States.

Related Tasks & Topics

- Appointments

- Change of Address

- Lost License

- New License

- REAL ID

- Renew License

- Take a Practice Test

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An International Driving Permit issued by the Republic of China (Taiwan)

An international driving permit (IDP), often (incorrectly) referred to as an international driving licence (IDL), is any valid, legal identity document that allows the holder to drive a private motor vehicle in any country or jurisdiction that recognises the document. To be valid, the IDP must be accompanied by a valid driving licence issued in the applicant's country of residence.^[1]

International driving permits issued by any party who does not have the authority to do so are considered invalid. An international driving permit is invalid if its format largely differs from that of the Vienna Conventions.^[2]^[3]^[4]

The IDP, whose A6 size (148 × 105 mm) is slightly larger than a passport, is a multi-language translation of the driver's licence from the issuing nation, complete with phot

International Drivers Licence Ireland