Frequently Asked Questions

An International Driver's Permit (IDP) is an official translation document that converts your domestic driving license into multiple languages. It is governed by two international treaties: the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (ratified by 102 countries) and the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (ratified by 86 countries). The IDP allows foreign authorities and car rental agencies to easily verify your driving credentials. It must always be carried alongside your valid domestic license.

While the terms are often used interchangeably, 'International Driver's Permit' is the correct official term. An IDP is not a license itself - it is a translation document that accompanies your valid domestic driver's license. You cannot legally drive with an IDP alone; your original domestic license is always required.

An IDP is recommended for anyone planning to drive in a foreign country. It is particularly important when traveling to countries where your domestic license may not be recognized, where the local language uses a different script, or where local laws specifically require an IDP. Countries like Japan, Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria, and Thailand require IDPs for foreign drivers. Many car rental companies worldwide also require an IDP as part of their rental agreement.

We offer IDPs with validity periods of 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years from the date of issue. Under the 1949 Geneva Convention, IDPs are valid for one year. The 1968 Vienna Convention allows validity up to three years. Important: Your IDP is only valid as long as your underlying domestic license remains valid - if your domestic license expires, your IDP becomes invalid regardless of its printed expiry date.

IDPs are established under two main United Nations conventions: The 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (entered into force March 26, 1952) and the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (entered into force May 21, 1977). Together, these conventions cover the vast majority of countries worldwide and establish standardized formats for IDPs to be recognized internationally.

To apply for an IDP, you need: 1) A valid driver's license from your home country, 2) A passport-style photograph with white background, 3) Clear images of the front and back of your driver's license. You will also need to provide your personal details including full name, date of birth, address, and the vehicle categories you are licensed to drive.

The online application process takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. After payment is processed, your digital IDP is delivered within minutes via email. Physical IDP cards are printed and shipped within 24 hours of order completion.

We recommend renewing your domestic license before applying for an IDP if it expires soon. Your IDP cannot extend beyond the validity of your domestic license. If your license expires in 6 months, your IDP will also become invalid at that time, even if the IDP shows a longer validity period.

No driving test is required. The IDP is a translation document based on your existing valid driver's license. As long as you hold a valid domestic license, you can apply for an IDP. The IDP reflects the driving privileges already granted to you by your home country.

Yes, you can complete the application for another person. You will need their valid driver's license information, a passport-style photo of them, their personal details, and their consent. The IDP will be issued in their name with their information.

Depending on your chosen plan: Digital IDP - Delivered within minutes via email as a PDF document that you can print or store on your mobile device. Physical IDP - A high-quality printed card mailed to your address. The Digital + Physical plan includes both options for maximum flexibility.

Physical IDPs are shipped within 24 hours of order completion. Typical delivery times: United States - 3-5 business days, Europe - 5-7 business days, Asia/Pacific - 7-10 business days, Rest of World - 7-14 business days. Actual delivery times may vary based on local postal services and customs processing.

Digital or printed versions of the IDP are accepted by many countries and car rental agencies. However, some countries and authorities may specifically require the original physical document. We recommend carrying a physical copy when possible, especially in countries with stricter documentation requirements or where digital documents are less commonly accepted.

If your physical IDP is lost or damaged, contact our support team. We can issue a replacement card for a nominal fee. Your digital copy remains accessible and can be reprinted at any time. We recommend keeping both digital and physical copies when traveling.

Countries that require IDPs for foreign drivers include: Japan, Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain, Greece, Poland, Thailand, Australia, and many others. Some countries like Brazil and Uruguay require an Inter-American Driving Permit instead. China requires both an IDP and a temporary Chinese driving permit. Visit our Countries page for specific requirements for each destination.

If you hold a license from outside the EU/EEA, an IDP is highly recommended and often required in European countries. Countries like Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, Greece, Poland, and Slovenia specifically require IDPs for non-EU license holders. Even where not legally mandatory, an IDP helps avoid complications with car rentals and local authorities.

The United States accepts most foreign driver's licenses for visitors, typically for up to 3 months depending on the state. While not legally required in most states, an IDP is recommended as it provides an English translation of your license, making interactions with rental agencies and law enforcement easier. Some states may have specific requirements.

No. According to international conventions, an IDP is only valid for use in foreign countries - it cannot be used in the country that issued your domestic license or in your country of residence. You must always use your valid domestic license when driving in your home country.

Your domestic license alone is typically sufficient in: Canada and Mexico (for US license holders), EU/EEA countries (for EU license holders), and ASEAN member countries (for ASEAN license holders). However, requirements can change, so we recommend checking current regulations before traveling.

Yes, absolutely. This is a legal requirement under both UN conventions. The IDP has no legal validity on its own - it is only a translation of your domestic license. You must always carry both your valid domestic driver's license AND your IDP when driving abroad. Authorities will typically ask to see both documents.

No. Car rental companies require both your valid domestic driver's license AND your IDP. The IDP alone is not sufficient. Additionally, you will typically need a valid passport for identification and a credit card for the rental deposit.

Your IDP permits you to drive only the same categories of vehicles that your domestic license allows. Common categories include: A (Motorcycles), B (Cars), C (Trucks), D (Buses), E (Trailers). During application, you specify which categories are on your domestic license, and only those will appear on your IDP.

Driving without an IDP in countries that require it can result in fines, your rental car insurance being voided, or in some cases, detention by authorities. If stopped by police, you may be unable to prove your driving credentials. Always check requirements before traveling and obtain an IDP if there is any doubt.

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), debit cards, and various regional payment methods. All transactions are processed securely with industry-standard encryption to protect your financial information.

Yes, we offer a satisfaction guarantee. If there is an error in your IDP document or you are not satisfied with our service, contact us within 30 days of purchase for a resolution. We are committed to ensuring you receive a correctly issued IDP.

No hidden fees. The price displayed includes the IDP document and digital delivery. For physical IDPs, standard shipping is included in the displayed price. Express or expedited shipping options, if available, will show any additional charges clearly before checkout.

If you request a refund before your IDP has been generated and delivered, we can process a full refund. Once your digital IDP has been delivered or your physical card has been shipped, refunds are available only under our satisfaction guarantee terms. Contact our support team for assistance.

First, check your spam or junk folder as automated emails sometimes get filtered. Verify that you entered the correct email address during application. If you still cannot find it, contact our support team with your order details and we will resend your IDP immediately.

Once an IDP is issued, the information cannot be changed as it must exactly match your domestic license. If you notice an error, contact our support team immediately. If your domestic license information changes (such as a name change), you will need to apply for a new IDP with the updated information.

Each IDP includes a unique validation number. You can verify authenticity through our online verification system at the Verify IDP page. Enter your validation number along with your date of birth to confirm the document is genuine and view its status.

Our customer support team is available via email at support@idp.expert. We typically respond within 24 hours during business days. For urgent matters, include 'URGENT' in your email subject line. You can also reach us through the contact form on our Contact Us page.