Do you need an international driving permit?

An International Driving Permit is not a standalone license. It is an official multilingual translation of your existing home country license, valid only when carried together with that license, and it exists so police and rental agencies abroad can read your credentials. Whether you need one varies by country: some require it by law, some do not require it but rental companies ask for it anyway, and some accept a US license alone for short visits. Driving without one where it is required can mean fines, a refused rental, or complications with insurance after an accident.

In the United States, only two organizations are authorized to issue IDPs, AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance, and any website selling an international drivers license for a quick fee is at best selling a worthless novelty document and at worst running a scam. Getting a legitimate one is straightforward: apply in person or by mail with your valid license, passport photos, and a modest fee, and it is typically valid for one year. Check the State Department's country-specific pages and the destination's official guidance before you travel, and confirm what your rental company requires, since their policy can be stricter than the law. Also confirm insurance, your US auto policy and credit card rental coverage often exclude foreign countries or specific vehicle types.