Before a trip to the United States, many travellers and immigrants ask themselves the same question: do you need an international driving permit to drive a car, and can you drive in America on your own national licence?
The answer depends on the state, on your status, on how long you are staying and on the requirements of the rental company. There is no single rule in the United States that applies to every driver in every state in the same way. So before you travel it is important to check the requirements of the particular state where you plan to drive.
What an international driving permit is
An international driving permit, or IDP, is a document used together with a valid national driving licence.
An IDP is not a driving licence in its own right and does not replace your national licence. What it actually does is present the information from your national licence in a standardised format, including in several languages. So remember: holding only an IDP, without a valid national driving licence, is not enough.
Can you drive in the United States on a foreign licence
In many cases a foreign driving licence is recognised for driving temporarily, particularly if the person is in the United States as a tourist.
The specific rules, though, are set by each state. The period for which you may use a foreign licence, and any additional requirements, can differ.
For a short trip, for example, a valid national licence may be enough, while in another situation an IDP or an official translation of the document may be needed. So before you travel it is better to check the rules of the particular state.
Does a tourist need an IDP
For a tourist an international driving permit can be useful even where the state does not directly require one. This is especially so if the national licence is issued in a language that American officials or rental company staff find hard to read.
An IDP can make it easier to:
- rent a car;
- deal with police officers;
- confirm the information on your national licence;
- use your driving licence in another jurisdiction.
An IDP should be seen as an additional document, though, not as a replacement for your national licence. What to do when renting a carRental companies can set their own document requirements. So having the right to drive under state law and being able to collect a car from a particular company are not always the same thing.
When booking a car it is advisable to check in advance:
- whether foreign driving licences are accepted;
- whether an IDP is needed;
- whether a translation is required;
- the minimum age for a driver;
- which bank cards are accepted for the deposit;
- what documents are needed when collecting the car.
It is worth checking the requirements particularly carefully if the licence is not issued in English.
Who issues international driving permits
In the United States the term International Driving Permit is used for the international driving permit that American drivers have to obtain through authorised organisations.
In the United States such documents are issued by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) in accordance with the applicable international agreements. (travel.state.gov [→ null])
If you obtain an IDP in your own country for a trip to the United States, the procedure depends on the law of the country that issued your national driving licence.
What documents are needed for an IDP
The requirements depend on the issuing country. An international permit normally requires a valid national driving licence and whatever documents the organisation entitled to issue IDPs asks for.
The following are often needed:
- your national driving licence;
- a photograph;
- an application;
- proof of identity;
- a government or organisational fee.
It is important to go only to an organisation officially authorised to issue international driving permits. There are plenty of websites offering an "international licence" without any checks at all. Not every such document has legal force.
How long an international permit is valid
How long an IDP is valid depends on the type of international permit and on the international convention that applies. Even a valid IDP, though, does not give you the right to drive for longer than the law of the particular state allows.
So there are two things to take into account at once: the validity of the IDP + the validity of your national driving licence.
If the national licence has expired, an international permit does not make it valid again.
Can you get an American licence
If you are moving to the United States not as a tourist but to live there permanently, in most cases it is worth looking at getting a driving licence from the state where you live.
An American driving licence can be considerably more convenient in everyday life. It serves both as proof of identity and as permission to drive.
To obtain a licence you normally have to go to the state driving authority — the DMV or a similar body.
The requirements can include:
- proof of identity;
- proof of address;
- documents showing immigration status;
- an eyesight test;
- a written test;
- a road test;
- payment of the relevant fees.
The exact requirements depend on the state.
International permits for immigrants
If you have moved to the United States for the long term, do not count on an IDP as a permanent substitute for an American driving licence.
If you are living there permanently, it is more important to understand the rules of your state and to obtain a local licence in good time.
This matters especially if you:
- have received a Green Card;
- have moved on a work visa;
- have come through family immigration;
- have begun living permanently in a particular state;
- plan to buy a car.
Some states give new residents a set period within which they must obtain a local licence.
What to do if your licence is not in English
If your national licence is in another language, a translation may be needed. In some situations an IDP is enough, since it contains standardised information. In others an official or certified translation may be required.
So before you travel it is better to have:
- the original of your national driving licence;
- an IDP, if it is needed or recommended;
- a translation, if the particular organisation requires one.
This is especially useful when renting a car.
Can you drive on an international permit alone
No. This is one of the commonest mistakes. An IDP is meant to be used together with a valid national driving licence. If you have no valid national licence, the international document does not by itself give you a full right to drive.
So if you are using an IDP, it is advisable always to carry both documents with you on your trip. What happens if the police stop youIf a police officer stops you, you have to produce the documents required by state law.
If you are using a foreign licence, having an IDP can make checking the information easier, particularly if the national licence is in another language. All the documents must be valid and must match your situation. Do not assume that having an international permit will automatically settle any question with the police.
Insurance and international permits
Car insurance deserves separate attention. Even if you are lawfully able to drive on a foreign licence, an insurance company or a rental company may impose additional conditions.
When renting a car it is advisable to make sure in advance that the insurance you have chosen covers a driver with a foreign licence and meets the requirements of the particular state. That will save you unpleasant situations in the event of an accident.
Common mistakes
Preparing for a trip to the United States, drivers often make a few typical mistakes.
Mistake 1 — treating an IDP as a licence in its own right. An international permit is used together with a national licence. Mistake 2 — not checking the state's rules. The law can differ from one state to another. Mistake 3 — going only by the rental company's requirements. The terms of a car hire and the requirements of the law are different things. Mistake 4 — buying an IDP from a random website. Go only to officially authorised organisations. Mistake 5 — forgetting about insurance.
The right to drive does not mean that the terms of your insurance automatically suit the trip.
What to take with you on the trip
If you plan to drive in the United States on a tourist trip, it makes sense to carry a set of documents that matches your situation.
Usually that means:
- a valid national driving licence;
- an IDP, if it is needed or recommended;
- your passport;
- the papers for the rental car;
- proof of insurance.
If you are moving to the United States permanently, read up in advance on how to obtain a driving licence in your state.
An international driving permit can make using a foreign licence in the United States considerably easier, especially on a tourist trip and when renting a car. But an IDP does not replace a national driving licence and does not override the requirements of a particular state's law.
Before you travel, check the state's rules, the rental company's requirements and the terms of your car insurance. If you are moving to the United States for the long term, it is better to sort out a local driving licence in good time.
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