A Motorcyclist’s Guide to the International Driver’s Permit

You’re ready for your exotic motorcycle trip through a foreign country. You’ve arrived at the airport, checked in to your hotel, and head over to the motorcycle rental to get your bike.

And then you find out they won’t release the bike to you because the country you’re in doesn’t recognize U.S. driver’s licenses.

Acquiring an International Driver’s Permit can avoid this nightmare scenario. This document allows you to legally ride and drive in most countries of the world.

But how do you get the permit? And what exactly does this slip of paper do?

Here’s everything a motorcyclist needs to know about the International Driver’s Permit.

What is the International Driver’s Permit?

The International Driver’s Permit (IDP) is an international travel document established by the United Nations that allows you to operate motor vehicles in foreign countries. It’s also often called the International Driver’s License, but the IDP is the official name.

This document contains a translation of your driver’s license information into 10 different languages and is recognized by 150 countries. Together with your official driver’s license, it allows foreign authorities to quickly verify the authenticity of your driving credentials in their own language.

And that is the main purpose of the IDP—to make your U.S. license understandable in foreign languages.

How Do I Get an International Driver’s Permit?

If you have a U.S. driver’s license, you can apply for an IDP with the AAA.

To apply for an IDP, you need:

• A filled-out IDP application downloaded and printed from the AAA IDP website.
• Two recent, original passport-sized photographs.
• Your U.S. driver’s license.
• $20 permit fee.

The simplest way to get the IDP is to take the above items to your nearest AAA Travel Office. Some of them offer passport photo services as well, so getting the IDP is fast and easy.

If you can’t visit an AAA office, you can also mail your application to the AAA. In this case, include a check for the $20 permit fee (plus applicable taxes) and a clear photocopy of both sides of your U.S. license. Never mail your original driver’s license to the AAA. You can also include money or a pre-paid envelope for expedited return mail.

When filling out the application form, remember to tick the box for a motorcycle permit. Missing this box makes your IDP ineligible for motorcycle travel.

Once you have your IDP, it will be valid for 365 days from the date of issuance. However, some countries have additional restrictions on how long you can ride on their roads even if you hold an IDP, so make sure to check local regulations before traveling.

Note that the AAA is the only organization in the U.S. authorized by the federal government to issue IDP documents. You may find websites offering expedited or cheaper IDP applications, but you should not trust them—they are frauds and their fake documents may get you into a world of trouble.

Do I Need an International Driver’s Permit to Ride Abroad?

You do not necessarily need an IDP to ride in a foreign country. Some governments allow U.S. tourists to ride with their American licenses under varying conditions.

Canada and Mexico are the only two countries in the world that fully recognize U.S. driver’s licenses. You can ride and drive north or south of the border without an IDP.

Some countries (Ecuador and Finland, for example) allow visiting tourists to drive with their foreign licenses for a limited time. Finally, since the IDP is primarily a translation document, some English-speaking countries especially in Europe may let a U.S. license pass as the authorities can understand it.

The conditions for accepting American licenses vary wildly, however. As such, you should verify the country-specific details before you travel.

Of course, it’s always a safe bet to have an IDP in the pocket of your riding jacket when abroad in any country—just in case.

Which Countries Require an International Driver’s Permit?

Out of the 150 countries that recognize the IDP, most require you to carry it together with your original license to be allowed to ride or drive legally on their roads.

The complete list of countries that require the IDP is too long for us to include here. For an up-to-date list of the countries that require and/or recognize the IDP, visit the AAA IDP info site.

The reasons why the IDP is required vary between countries. Many eastern and southern European countries, for instance, recognize American licenses if accompanied by an official translation into the local language. Others, such as Japan, don’t honor foreign licenses but recognize the IDP as a separate document.

In either case, the IDP satisfies the local legal requirements and allows you to ride. This is why we strongly recommend all motorcyclists to carry an IDP when out on an international trip.

Are There Any Countries that Don’t Recognize IDP?

It’s a common misconception that Brazil and Uruguay do not recognize the IDP and require you to acquire an Inter-American Driver’s Permit (IADP) instead. Despite this information being listed on U.S. government and AAA websites, it is not accurate.

The confusion stems from the fact that Brazil and Uruguay did not sign the original 1949 international agreement establishing the IDP. However, they did sign the 1968 follow-up convention and have not issued the IADP ever since.

Both the International Driving Permit and International Drivers Association website correctly state that Brazil and Uruguay accept the IDP.

Apart from these two countries, any that are not listed among the 150 IDP signatories will not recognize the document. If you plan to travel to these countries, research what you’re required to do to be allowed to ride a motorcycle.

Useful Tips and Information About the IDP

You now know everything you need to acquire an IDP. However, there are smaller details that may be significant for your international travel plans.

These include:

• You must be 18 years old to acquire an IDP.
• AAA will not issue an IDP more than six months in advance of the desired effective date.
• Remember to tick the “motorcycle” box when filling out the IDP application.
• The IDP does not come with insurance. Check with your motorcycle or travel insurance company whether you’re covered for international riding.
• The IDP does not give you any special privileges. You must obey all local traffic laws when riding abroad.
• If you plan to cross national borders, check the laws and regulations regarding motorcycling and the IDP for each country you plan to visit.
• The IDP is not an official international identification document and you will still need your passport to prove your identity.
• The IDP is not a separate driving record and is not a valid document for U.S. driver’s license holders on American roads.

That just about covers it. You’re now ready to head out on that international motorcycle tour you’ve always dreamed of.