Updated 12/14/2023
Today, the car is the most progressive type of transport in the United States. It’s used for a variety of purposes, including simple road trips around the city, business and leisure needs. In this regard, many Americans who travel outside the country are also accustomed to traveling by car. Fortunately, you need quite a bit for this – obtain AAA international driving permit the same day and get a car for a rental at the desired destination.
Table of contents:
What is AAA IDP and what its main features?
It is a special document allowing the person to drive his personal vehicle or rent a car in the territory of another country, subject to the rules and regulations established by local law. This document is valid on the basis of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. IDP (international driving permit) is adopted as a driver’s identification form in 175 countries around the world. It has a translation in 10 different languages, contains a photo, a name, and information about driving qualifications, so it takes away all the problems when traveling outside the USA.
If you are an American citizen, then you can get this precious document through AAA, which is the American Automobile Association. Nowadays, AAA is the world’s largest automotive club, although, in fact, it serves automobile clubs in the USA and Canada only. The association is a non-profit community created to protect the interests of motorists in North America.
Therefore, this organization is authorized to distribute international driving permit AAA certificate. The cost of this service is $20. All you need to do is fill out a given form, attach the necessary documents and send it by mail. The estimated triple AAA IDP processing time is 10-15 business days, which means you will receive it in about 2 weeks.
IDP has certain features:
- It can be used for 1 year after issue;
- It doesn’t work for driving on the territory of the USA;
- It needs to be effective within 6 months of application date.
International Driving Permit Locations
The association has many offices in the United States and Canada. More than 54 million people are its members, and this is not surprising since America is considered to be one of the most motorized countries in the world. So many people like renting American automobile!
Regarding the number of branches, the association has 57 AAA International Driving Permit locations in the USA, which makes it possible to obtain this permit at the most convenient location. No matter whether you are renting a car in New York, Minneapolis, St Louis, Phoenix, Austin, and Los Angeles: each office serves its own area, so before contacting AAA you can find the nearest branch in advance.
Keep in mind that the driving permit (IDP) through this association is available only to US citizens, and can’t be issued to foreign country people traveling to America. As a result, the international driving permit from AAA only works together with a domestic driver’s license.
What are the requirements to receive an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
As a private organization, the Automobile Association has its own requirements for obtaining the permit. First of all, you should read the privacy policy and make sure you satisfy the following requirements:
- The minimum age is 18+ years old;
- Hold a non-expired USA-issued driver’s license.
The next task is to download and fill out a special form that will contain your personal data. Then prepare 2 standard American-sized passport photos and your current U.S. driving document. Now you can take it all and head to the closest AAA subsidiary to apply for an IDP. Already on site you have to pay $20 of IDP cost for the service.
However, what if you don’t have the opportunity to visit their office in person? No worries. There’s a way to get this permit via mail.
In order to do this, you should send the already completed paper form, 2 signed passport photos, a copy of both sides of the driving license to the neighboring branch. Also, you will need to contact the office in advance to clarify the method of payment.
As mentioned above, after these actions, the accomplishment of your order will last a maximum of 15 business days, and after about 2 days you will receive all the documents back in your hands.
Guides on how to get an International Driving Permit online
Another convenient way to receive an IDP is a perfect option for those who are used to taking benefits from online services because now you can significantly simplify the entire procedure for obtaining this document.
By following the simple steps, you can get the necessary AAA international driving license faster avoiding extra paperwork:
- Go to the official website or AAA IDP application, where you will find a special license form.
- Fill out the AAA international driving permit form, specifying your personal data, information about your U.S. driver’s license, the type of car you are going to drive with your IDP, as well as address information.
- Attach 2 standard-sized photos, signed on the back, and a payment receipt.
As you can see, IDP is the key to a trouble-free trip abroad. Moreover, you don’t need to pass any additional driving exams. Just choose one of the most convenient ways, spend a little time and you will get the desired document that will give you real freedom of movement in more than 175 different countries.
However, don’t forget that the IDP itself is valid for only 1 year, and if you are an avid road traveler, then take care of this issue in advance.
Also, you must be aware of the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) which has been assisting for all those travelers wishing to drive private passenger cars, and other motor vehicles while traveling abroad. So, American Automobile Touring is a good choice whether you are on vacation, going to visit a family or have some business purposes.
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