How long does an International Driving Permit take to get?

Päivitetty 3 Jul 2026

Suora vastaus

In person, an International Driving Permit is typically issued the same day — AAA branches in the US, participating CAA stores in Canada, and UK Post Office counters issue on the spot. By mail, allow roughly 10–15 business days with AATA in the US, and longer for international shipping. No authorised issuer delivers a legitimate 'instant digital IDP' — the permit is a physical document.

Yhdellä silmäyksellä

AAA (US), in person: Same day at a participating branch
AATA (US), by mail: ≈10–15 business days processing
UK Post Office: Over the counter, issued on the spot (£5.50)
CAA (Canada): Same day in participating stores; mail takes longer
'Instant online IDP': Does not exist — a scam signal

Matkan päätöspolku

Muuta tämä opas selkeäksi matkasuunnitelmaksi

Käytä opasta taustatietona, vahvista sitten tarkka ajokorttisi, kohde, päivämäärät ja ajoneuvo ennen kuin ostat mitään.

3 viranomaislähdettä

1 · Vahvista sääntö

Valitse ajokorttimaasi, kohde, päivämäärät ja ajoneuvotyyppi.

2 · Käytä valtuutettua IDP-reittiä

Jos tarkistus sanoo, että IDP vaaditaan, hanki se ajokorttimaasi valtuutetulta myöntäjältä. Emme myy IDP:itä.

3 · Lisää käännöksen oheismateriaali

Käytä käännöspakettia, kun vuokrauspisteiden, vakuuttajien tai tarkastuspisteiden on luettava ajokorttisi. Se ei ole lupa.

In person is almost always same-day

Authorised issuers designed the IDP to be quick: it's a standardised booklet transcribed from your existing licence, not a new credential requiring vetting. Walk into a participating AAA branch in the US, a CAA store in Canada, or a UK Post Office that offers the IDP service with your licence, photos and the fee, and you typically leave with the permit the same day. Availability varies by branch, so check the issuer's locator page before you go.

Mail routes: budget two to several weeks

If you can't reach a branch, mail applications work but are the slow path. AATA (the other authorised US issuer) processes mail applications in roughly 10–15 business days plus shipping each way, and expedited handling costs extra. Canadian and Australian clubs offering postal or online-application-with-mail-delivery routes have their own turnaround times — always check the current estimate on the issuer's official page rather than assuming.

When to start before a trip

If a branch is nearby, a few days' buffer is plenty; if you're relying on mail, start three to four weeks before departure to absorb processing and postal delays. Remember a 1949-convention IDP is only valid for one year from issue, so there's no benefit in applying many months early. Use our free checker to confirm whether your destination needs the IDP at all — some accept your licence directly or with a translation.

Why 'instant online IDP' is a scam signal

No authorised issuer sells an instant, purely digital IDP — the permit is a physical multi-page booklet, and government consumer agencies have repeatedly warned about websites selling 'international driver's licenses' online. If a site promises a downloadable IDP in minutes, it is not issuing an official permit. What such sites actually deliver is at best a translation — which is exactly what we sell, except we say so honestly: a certified translation companion, instant and digital, that never claims to be an IDP.

Mitä valmistella

Check if your destination actually requires an IDP first
Prefer an in-person branch visit for same-day issue
Applying by mail? Start 3–4 weeks before departure
Bring your valid licence, passport photos and the fee
Skip any site promising an 'instant digital IDP' — it's not official

Tarkista tarkka reittisi

Ajokorttimaa × kohde × ajoneuvo — ilmainen, 1 minuutti.

Tarvitsetko ajokorttisi käännettynä?

Selkeästi merkitty käännöksen oheismateriaali — ei koskaan väärennetty lupa.

Usein kysytyt kysymykset

Can I get an IDP on the same day?

Yes — in person. Participating AAA branches (US), CAA stores (Canada) and UK Post Office counters issue IDPs on the spot when you bring your valid licence, photos and the fee. Mail applications take days to weeks.

Can I get an IDP online instantly?

No. Authorised issuers do not sell instant digital IDPs — the permit is a physical booklet. Websites promising one in minutes are private sellers; consumer regulators have flagged many as scams. If you need instant and digital, what's legitimately available is a certified translation of your licence, clearly labelled as such.

How early should I apply before my trip?

In-person: a few days' buffer is enough. By mail: start three to four weeks out to cover processing (≈10–15 business days at AATA) plus postage both ways. Don't apply many months early — a 1949-convention IDP only lasts one year from issue.

Valtion ja viranomaisten lähteet

Katso myös valtuutetun myöntäjän ohjeet saadaksesi selville, mistä saat todellisen IDP:n, kun matkasi sitä vaatii.

Requirements vary by country. Carry your translation together with your original driving licence and passport; some countries require an official IDP issued by an authorised body in your country of licence. Information provided is general guidance. Always check local regulations for your destination.