Help Centre
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about International Driving Permits — answered clearly and completely.
📋 What is an IDP?
What is an International Driving Permit (IDP)? ▾
An IDP is an official document issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention and 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. It translates your national driving license into 12 languages — Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Scandinavian — allowing law enforcement officers worldwide to read your credentials without a shared language. It is NOT a standalone driving license — it must always be carried alongside your original national license.
Is an IDP a replacement for my driver's license? ▾
No. An IDP is a supplementary document only. It has no legal standing on its own. You must always carry both your valid national or state driving license AND your IDP when driving abroad. Presenting just the IDP without the original license will result in the IDP being rejected.
How many countries recognize the IDP? ▾
The IDP is recognized in over 150 countries and territories that are signatories to either the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic or the 1968 Vienna Convention. Our countries database lists the exact status for each destination, including whether IDP is legally required or simply recommended.
Are there different types of IDP? ▾
Yes. There are two conventions under which IDPs are issued: the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention. Different countries recognize one or both. Japan, for example, only accepts IDPs issued under the 1949 convention. Permio issues permits that satisfy both conventions and are accepted across all 150+ participating countries.
🌍 Do I Need One?
How do I know if I need an IDP for my destination? ▾
If you're renting a car abroad, the answer is almost certainly yes. Most rental companies require one at the counter, even in countries where it's not legally mandated. Use our free Country Checker tool on the homepage, or browse our full Countries database. As a general rule: major car rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar) commonly require an IDP as a condition of rental — don't risk being turned away at the counter.
I'm driving in Europe — do I need an IDP? ▾
EU/EEA license holders driving within the EU/EEA do NOT need an IDP. Drivers from outside the EU (including the US, Canada, Australia, UK post-Brexit, etc.) are strongly recommended to carry an IDP when driving in EU countries, as rental companies will typically require it and police in some countries may request it.
Do I need an IDP to rent a car at an airport? ▾
In most cases, yes. International car rental companies at airports routinely request an IDP for non-local license holders. Even in countries where government law does not technically mandate it, the rental company's own policy will almost always require one. Getting turned away at the counter with bags in hand is an extremely common situation — don't let it happen to you.
My trip is only 3 days. Is it worth getting an IDP? ▾
Even a short trip deserves peace of mind. Trip length is irrelevant to legal requirements — whether you're driving for 3 days or 3 months, you're equally obligated to carry an IDP if the destination or rental company requires one. The application process takes under 5 minutes and digital delivery takes 24 hours, so for the cost of a coffee, you're fully covered.
⚙️ Application Process
What documents do I need to apply? ▾
Getting started is easier than you'd expect — no trips to government offices, no paper forms, no mailing documents. You need three things: (1) a valid national or state driving license — upload a clear photo of the front; (2) a passport-style photo — white or light background, face clearly visible; (3) a valid passport or government-issued photo ID. All can be uploaded digitally from your phone or computer.
How long does the application take? ▾
The online form takes approximately 3–5 minutes to complete. Document upload takes 1–2 minutes. Processing and verification by our compliance team takes up to 24 hours for digital delivery, and 3–5 business days for physical copy by post (Priority orders receive express dispatch within 1–2 business days).
Can I apply on behalf of someone else? ▾
Yes, with their consent and their documents. The application must reflect the actual driver's details. You can complete the form using another person's information and documents, but the IDP is a personal legal document — falsifying any information is illegal and would invalidate the permit.
I'm traveling in two weeks. Is that enough time? ▾
Comfortably. With our Priority plan, your digital IDP is delivered within 24 hours and can be used immediately for car rental and driving. The physical copy follows by express post. We recommend applying at least 5–7 days before departure to receive both digital and physical copies.
💳 Plans & Payment
What's the difference between Standard and Priority plans? ▾
The Standard plan ($39) delivers a physical IDP by regular post in 3–5 business days — valid for 1 year. The Priority plan ($59) delivers a certified digital IDP by email within 24 hours AND sends the physical copy by express post. For anyone traveling within a week, or wanting peace of mind of a digital backup, Priority is strongly recommended. The 3-Year Pass ($89) offers the same Priority delivery with 3-year validity — best value for frequent travelers.
Can I use the digital PDF at a car rental counter? ▾
Yes. The certified digital PDF carries the same legal standing as the physical booklet. It is accepted at rental counters and border crossings in all IDP-participating countries. We recommend having both digital (on your phone) and physical copies — especially for countries like Japan where the permit booklet is frequently inspected in full.
What payment methods do you accept? ▾
We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. All payments are processed through Stripe, which is PCI-DSS Level 1 certified — the highest level of payment security available. We do not store any card details.
What is your refund policy? ▾
If we cannot issue your IDP for any reason on our end (document quality issues that cannot be resolved, eligibility issues, etc.), you receive a 100% refund automatically. If you wish to cancel before your IDP is issued, we offer a full refund. Once an IDP has been issued and delivered, it is a certified legal document and refunds cannot be processed.
🚗 Using Your IDP
Do I need to carry both my IDP and my original license when driving? ▾
Yes, always. The IDP is legally invalid without the accompanying original national driving license. Always carry both together. Many travelers photograph both documents and store digital copies in their email as a backup.
What happens if I'm stopped by police abroad without an IDP? ▾
Consequences vary by country. In Japan, you may be fined and the vehicle impounded. In Thailand, driving without an IDP is an offense that can result in fines, license seizure, and being barred from renting vehicles. In UAE, it can result in vehicle impoundment and a significant fine. The risk is simply not worth taking — an IDP costs $39–89 and takes 5 minutes to apply for.
Can I drive any type of vehicle with my IDP? ▾
Your IDP permits you to drive the same category of vehicle that your original national license covers. If your home license covers only standard passenger cars (Category B), your IDP only covers that category. Motorcycles, trucks, and buses each require the appropriate category on your original license.
My IDP is expiring during my trip. What should I do? ▾
Apply for a renewal before your trip. Permio can process a renewal application with the same 24-hour digital delivery turnaround. If your IDP expires while abroad, your original license may still be valid depending on the country — but you will technically be driving without a valid IDP. Contact our support team and we will expedite a replacement as quickly as possible.
👤 Your Account & Renewals
How do I renew my IDP? ▾
Renewing is even faster than your first application. Visit our renewal page, verify your details, and you're done in under 2 minutes. As a returning customer, you'll automatically receive a 10% loyalty discount at checkout.
Can I manage my IDP from a dashboard? ▾
Yes. After creating your account, you can log in to your dashboard to download your digital IDP, track physical delivery status, view your IDP expiry date, and start a renewal when the time comes. Everything you need is in one place.
What happens when my IDP expires? ▾
Once expired, your IDP is no longer legally valid for driving abroad. If you're stopped by police or attempt to rent a car, an expired IDP will be treated the same as not having one at all — which can mean fines, refused rentals, or voided insurance. The good news: renewal takes just 2 minutes and your new IDP is delivered digitally within 24 hours.
Can I delete my account and data? ▾
Absolutely. You can request full account deletion from your dashboard or by contacting our support team. We provide a 14-day grace period during which your data is recoverable in case you change your mind. After 14 days, all personal data is permanently and irreversibly deleted in compliance with GDPR and international data protection regulations.
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