The guaranteed, fastest way to get your International Driving Permit for renting with Advantage Rent A Car

An International Driving Permit (IDP) — sometimes referred to as an International Driver's License (IDL) — is an officially recognized document that translates the details of your valid driver's license into several languages. This permit gives you the legal ability to drive in many countries abroad and is often requested by rental providers such as Advantage Rent A Car. You may also see it described as an International Driving License or International Driver's Permit. No matter the name, all of these terms refer to the same document.

Advantage does not require an International Driving Permit (IDP) or International Driver's License (IDL) in every location. Still, in many destinations — particularly in parts of Europe, Asia, and South America — local driving laws make it mandatory to present an IDP together with your valid driver's license when renting a car. To avoid problems at the counter: Review the licensing requirements of the country you'll be visiting. Bring both your regular driver's license and an IDP/IDL when traveling abroad. Even where it isn't a legal requirement, carrying an IDP is smart — it acts as an official translation of your license, helping make the rental process and communication with local authorities much easier.

Driving rules are not the same everywhere. In some countries, your local driver's license will be enough to rent with Advantage, while in others, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is legally required. To help you prepare, we've built a helpful guide below: just select your home country and your travel destination, and you'll instantly see whether an IDP is necessary for your Advantage Rent A Car booking.

Advantage will not accept an expired International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL). To rent overseas, you must show both a valid driver's license from your home country and an IDP that is still current. If your permit has expired, you'll need to renew it before your trip. Otherwise, you may face delays at pickup or risk being refused a vehicle entirely.

If you arrive at a rental counter without your International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL), Advantage may still rent you a vehicle in countries where the permit is not legally required. However, in destinations where the law makes an IDP mandatory, Advantage must comply, and you may not be able to rent without it. In some locations, showing a digital copy of your IDP might be accepted as temporary proof, though this is not guaranteed. To stay on the safe side, always travel with your physical permit along with a backup digital version, so you're prepared wherever you go.

You can apply quickly using our Online International Driver's License Application. The process takes less than 5 minutes, can be completed 100% online, and you'll receive your International Driving Permit (IDP) without the need for in-person visits.

Pricing for an International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) starts at $35 for a 1-year validity. You can also choose a 2- or 3-year permit, select digital-only delivery, add urgent processing, or upgrade to different shipping options. For full details, please see our International Driver's License Pricing page.

With urgent processing, you can receive your digital International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) in as little as 15 minutes. For physical copies, expedited shipping is available, with 2-day delivery to most countries worldwide.

Yes. You can apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) even if your driver's license is not in English. The IDP translates your license into multiple languages, making it valid for driving and car rentals in over 175 countries. Just be sure your original license is valid and unexpired, as the IDP must always be used together with your home license.

This information varies - please refer to the pages below:

International Driving Permit for Enterprise Rent A Car

International Driving Permit for Avis

International Driving Permit for Hertz

International Driving Permit for Budget Car Rental

International Driving Permit for Alamo Rent A Car

International Driving Permit for National Car Rental

International Driving Permit for Europcar

International Driving Permit for Sixt Rent A Car

International Driving Permit for Thrifty Car Rental

International Driving Permit for Dollar Rent A Car

International Driving Permit for Fox Rent A Car

International Driving Permit for Payless Car Rental

International Driving Permit for Ace Rent A Car