An IDP, or international driver’s license is an essential document for anyone who intends to drive in other countries. It has legal acknowledgment for one to drive in other countries and in addition is a translated equivalent of the local driver’s license, for easy understanding by authorities in the foreign country. This article will provide you with all the information you need to obtain one.
What is an IDP or International Driving Permit?
An IDP is an internationally accepted document that interprets a national driver’s license to other languages easily understood by foreign authorities. It is recognized in more than 150 countries and is generally obligatory for car hire and driving on foreign streets. The IDP is valid for one year and should be produced hand in hand with your original driver’s license when driving in a foreign country.
Why is the International Driving Permit Important?
The IDP is not simply desirable, it is often mandatory to have one. Some of the countries which allow only IDP are Austria, Italy, and Japan. In countries where it is not mandatory, most car rental companies demand for it before they can allow tourists hire their cars. Besides, some of the policies may only allow you to be compensated in case of an accident if you possess an IDP and thus it is wise to possess one for safety purposes.
How to Get an International Driving Permit
Know Your Requirements:
To get an IDP, you must be 18 years and above and have a valid driver’s license from your home country. Your local driver’s license must have a remaining validity of at least six months, otherwise the IDP will not be issued.
Select an authorized issuer:
The procedure of getting an IDP differs with countries. For example, in USA only AAA and AATA are allowed to print and distribute IDPs. There are bogus services that can claim to provide international driver’s licenses but they are not legitimate.
Gather the Required Documents:
The necessary documents to apply for an IDP typically include:
- An application form which can be downloaded from the internet and also which is available in any of the authorized offices.
- A clear photocopy of your current valid driver’s license.
- Two passport-sized photos.
- The processing fee which differs from one country to another and is normally between $20 to $30.
How to Apply
You can get an IDP either by applying in person or by sending in an application. For example in the United States, one can go to any of the AAA offices, or mail in the documents to the AATA. When applying in person, it normally takes approximately fifteen minutes and one is issued with the IDP immediately. If applying by mail the processing time should be about two weeks.
Use Your IDP
Once you have been issued with an IDP it will only be valid for one year from the date of issue. While driving in a foreign country, it is required that you have your IDP and your original driver’s license with you. Remember that the IDP is actually a translation of your license and it is not a national driver’s license.
Common Misconceptions
However, it is crucial to understand that an IDP is not the same as an international driver’s license that in fact does not exist. There are some fake organizations who offer ‘International driver’s licenses’ for sale on the internet and such licenses are fake. Ensure that you apply for the real IDP through the right organization that is either the AAA or the AATA.
Additional Considerations
It is good to study the codes of conduct of the country before one decides to drive in the country of his/her or her or that of the other since the rules could be very different from what he/she is used to. Each country has some or other norms and codes which are understood but foreign drivers may not be well aware of such aspects as insurance, tolls or signals.
An IDP is usually for a year, but if your home country’s driver’s license expires before that time then the IDP is also invalid. The owners of the national driver’s license and IDP must always make sure that the licenses are valid before they travel in order to avoid legal issues.
Final Thoughts
For instance, it is also very simple to get an International Driving Permit and has lots of benefits for people who are going to travel to different countries. No only does it help to guarantee that local driving laws are adhered to, but it also makes car rentals and any contacts with the police abroad much easier. Holding a valid IDP, you can drive in more than 150 countries with the reassurance that your license is going to be recognized.
The following actions should be followed for your international driving to be as smooth as possible and legal too. And whether you are going for a cross country in Europe in your car or walking around the streets of Japan, it is advisable to have your IDP properly secured a few weeks to your trip at most. Safe travels!
