how to get the international driving license in usa

How do I get an international driving permit? The penalties in Japan, for example, are severe: You could be arrested or even deported if you don’t have the necessary paperwork. Whether that’ll be a vacation ender or not depends on the country you’re in and the local laws. Let’s say you’re pulled over and caught sans permit. If you don’t have an international driving permit, may not be able to communicate effectively with you.' What happens if I drive without one? 'It’s really in case something were to happen-you’re pulled over for a driving infraction, or there’s an accident, or something goes awry. “The real value of it isn’t so much from a legal standpoint,' says Shilling. If you're traveling to a country that doesn't speak your language, you should get one anyway for the peace of mind, according to Bryan Shilling, AAA's managing director of travel products and services. An international driving permit isn't required where I'm going. These can't be issued on the spot outside of the U.S. The most important thing is to check the requirements long before you leave, so as not to be stranded when you learn that you need a document that you don't have. That means a lot less back-and-forth on the back roads of Morocco when the officer has never seen a Nevada driver’s license before.Ĭheck the State Department’s site for specific license requirements for the country you’re visiting. The permit translates your American driver’s license into ten languages, including Arabic and Portuguese.

The permit, a small, passport-like booklet issued by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance, gives visitors the right to drive a car in any of the countries that accept it. What is an international driving permit?įirst things first, it's not technically a driver's license-you'll already need one of those from your country or state of origin to accompany your international driving permit. Read on below for our recommendations for when and how to pick up an international driving permit before your asphalt adventure. But with a little pre-planning, your road trip can be seamless with the $20 permit tucked in your wallet. If you're already on your trip, you're likely out of luck when it comes to an international driving permit-it's recommended or required for foreign drivers by more than 150 countries, after all. Then, just before the agent hands over the keys, you hear these seven words: “Can I see your international driving permit?” All that’s left to do now is find the rental office and pick up a car.

Your flight finally lands and, after months of saving and planning, your long-awaited road trip across Europe is about to begin.

How to get the international driving license in usa