What is an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit (IDP), often referred to as an International Driver’s Licence (IDL), is a document that allows you to drive in over 150 countries around the world when accompanied by your valid national driver's licence.
It is recognised internationally and is typically issued in nine languages – English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, German, Arabic, Italian and Portuguese – to help local authorities interpret your national driver's licence, regardless of the language it is in.
In essence, it acts as a translation of your domestic driver’s licence issued in your country. It is usually valid for one year from the date of issue, or until your original driver’s licence expires. However, the validity period can vary by country.
The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) issues IDPs in Australia. It is a federation that consists of motoring clubs and associations from various Australian states and territories. These organizations provide a range of services to their members, including roadside assistance, vehicle insurance, travel services, and advocacy on issues related to road safety, transport infrastructure, and the environment.
Getting an International Driving Permit from the Australian Automobile Association is straightforward. You simply need to fill out an application form, provide some documentation like your current driver's licence, and pay the service fee.
You can apply online or in person through your state or territory motoring club, which processes the IDP on the AAA's behalf. The IDP, which is valid for one year, serves as an official translation of your driver's licence and is recognised in over 150 countries, making it an essential document for those planning to drive abroad.
Note: Australia only issues IDPs under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, so an Australian IDP is always valid for 12 months from the date of issue, or until your Australian licence expires if that comes first. A few countries, such as Vietname, only accept IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention, so check the rules for your destination before you travel.
How to get an international driving permit
When do I need an IDP?
An international driving permit can be used in the following cases:
When you are driving in a foreign country: The primary purpose of an IDP is to allow you to legally drive in a foreign country even if you do not have a driver’s licence from that country.
When your licence is in a different language: If your original driver's licence is not in the language of the country you are visiting, an IDP provides a translation in multiple languages, making it easier for local authorities to understand.
When renting a vehicle abroad: Many car rental companies across the globe require an IDP along with your national driver's licence to rent a vehicle, especially if your licence is in a language different from the country's official language.
When don’t I need an IDP
Without a valid domestic driver’s licence: An IDP is a supplement to, not a replacement for, your valid national driver's licence. It cannot be used by itself; you must carry your valid domestic driver's licence with you.
After becoming a resident: In many countries, once you establish residency, you are required to obtain a local driver's licence within a certain period because an IDP is generally intended for tourists or short-term visitors, not for residents.
In the issuing country: You cannot use an IDP in the country where it was issued. For example, if you obtained your IDP in Australia, you cannot use it as a driving document within Australia.
If it's expired: An IDP typically has a validity period of one year from the date of issue (though this can vary by issuing country). Once expired, it cannot legally be used as a supplement to your domestic licence for international driving. If the domestic driver's licence that your IDP supplements is expired, revoked, suspended, or becomes invalid in any way, your IDP is also considered invalid.
For identification: While an IDP does contain some personal information, it is primarily a translation of your driver's licence, not an official ID card. It may not be accepted as a form of identification by some authorities or institutions.
How to get an International Driving Permit in Australia
Applying for an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Australia is a simple process. Here's how you can apply for an IDP in Australia:
Check if you are eligible for an IDP
To get an IDP in Australia, you must meet the following criteria:
You must be at least 18 years old.
You must not be a learner.
You must hold a valid provisional or full Australian driver's licence. Interim driver’s licences are not acceptable.
You must have no restrictions on your Australian driver’s licence like, alcohol ignition, court orders, etc.
Prepare the required documents
For your application, you will need:
Scans or photos of both sides of your valid Australian driver’s licence.
A recent passport-sized photograph (5MB max in JPEG, JPG or PNG. Must be 45–50 mm in height and 35–40 mm in width).
The IDP fee, which is about AUD 53 (GST free), plus postage if you have it mailed. The exact amount varies slightly between motoring clubs, so check your club’s website. You can pay by Visa or Mastercard. A fee of
Choose an issuing body
The International Driver Licence can be issued by the following motoring clubs associated with the AAA, depending on your state or territory:
Complete the application process
There are three ways to apply for an Australian International Driving Permit:
Apply in-person
Visit your local automobile club's office.
Bring your valid Australian driver's licence and your passport-sized photo.
Fill out the application form provided at the office.
Pay the application fee.
Apply online
Visit the website of the automobile club in your state or territory.
Complete the online application form.
Upload scans or photos of both sides of your Australian driver's licence and a passport-sized photo.
Apply by mail
Download and complete the IDP application form from your state or territory automobile club's website.
Include a certified copy of your Australian driver's licence and a passport-sized photo with your application.
Post the completed form, documentation, and payment to the address the club provides.
Note: Online application is now the main route to apply for an International Driving Permit in Australia, and most clubs treat it as the default. You can also apply in person at a club branch if you need your IDP quickly. You cannot apply for an Australian International Driving Permit more than 3 months before your planned departure.
Receive your Australian International Driving Permit
If you apply for your IDP in person, you can expect to receive it the same day. If you apply online, the IDP is usually mailed within 3 to 8 working days, depending on your club and the postage option you choose. Some clubs, such as AANT, also let you apply online and collect your IDP in store.
How to exchange your overseas driver’s licence for an Australian licence
An International Driving Permit cannot be converted into an Australian licence. It is only a translation of your licence, so it is your overseas driver’s licence that gets exchanged.
The process can be different depending on the state or territory in Australia where you intend to live and drive. Generally, the process ensures all drivers on Australian roads meet local driving standards for safety.
Here’s how you can exchange your overseas driver’s licence for an Australian licence:
Check your eligibility
As always, it is important to check if you are eligible for a domestic driver’s licence. To be eligible, you must have the following:
Understand state-specific requirements
Australia has different rules in each state and territory for exchanging an overseas licence. You should check with the local transport authority where you live, such as:
Prepare the paperwork
You'll need the following documents for your application:
Note that each document should be accompanied by a translation, done by a certified translation service if it's not in English.
Pass the driving tests
Depending on the state or territory and the country that issued your licence, you might need to:
Pass a Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) based on the rules of the road.
Complete a practical driving test.
If your licence is from a country on the Austroads list of recognised countries, such as the UK, the USA, New Zealand, or Canada, these tests are waived as long as your licence is current or expired within the last five years.
Note: The Experienced Driver Recognition scheme, which let drivers aged 25 and over from some other countries skip the tests, has ended. So drivers from these countries must now pass both tests.
Apply in person
To apply for the licence conversion, you need to appear in person at a local branch of your state's transport authority. Here, you'll fill out an application form, submit your documents, take any required tests, and pay the application fees. Fees vary by state and usually include test and appointment fees, driver license issuance fees, and photo identification card fees, among others.
Receive your Australian driving licence
Once you've met all requirements and passed the necessary tests, you'll be issued an Australian driving licence, which may come with certain conditions based on your driving experience and the outcome of your tests.
Driving in Australia with a U.S. license
If you're visiting Australia as a tourist with a valid U.S. driver’s license, you can drive legally without an International Driving Permit (IDP).
The rules differ by state and territory. In New South Wales, for example, tourists and temporary visitors can drive on a valid overseas licence for up to six months, while the three-month limit applies to Australian citizens and permanent residents. Check the rules of the state or territory you will be driving in.
However, to drive legally, your U.S. license must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation if it's not. It must also be current, valid, and include all necessary endorsements.
If you plan to stay in Australia long term, such as for study, work, or relocation, you’ll need to exchange your U.S. license for an Australian one.
Each state or territory has its own rules for how long you can drive on your foreign license and specific requirements for exchanging it. Because the USA is a recognised country, you can convert your U.S. licence to an Australian one without a knowledge or driving test, as long as your license is current or expired within the last five years.
How can Translayte help?
The IDP is issued to holders of an Australian driver’s licence, so no translation is needed for the IDP application itself. If any documents for your licence exchange or visa application are not in English, Translayte can provide accurate and certified translations.
With a wide range of languages covered, we can translate your documents into English.
When you exchange an overseas licence for an Australian one, the transport authority will usually ask for a NAATI Certified Translation of any non-English documents. A certified translation assures the authority that it accurately represents the original document.
Additionally, Translayte offers Driver’s licence translations that can be used for driving internationally. At Translayte, our process for translating driver's licences is meticulous and tailored to meet legal standards.
We assign your document to a professional translator who is fluent in both the source and target languages and has expertise in legal and technical translations. The translator ensures that every detail from your original licence is accurately translated and formatted appropriately for the target country.
We understand that obtaining an IDP can be time-sensitive, especially if you're planning to travel soon, so we designed an easy, smooth process to get your certified translation quickly. It’s really simple.
Select “Certified Translation” from the options provided, then choose the target language and any specific requirements for the translation.
Afterward, securely upload a clear scan or photo of your driver's licence and our professional translators will work on your document, ensuring accuracy and compliance with all requirements. You will receive your translated driver's licence via email or post, ready for use. Our team is available at any time for any queries or assistance you might need.
To get started, upload your document to request a free quote.
