How long does an International Driving Permit take to get?
अपडेट किया गया 3 Jul 2026
सीधा उत्तर
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.
एक नज़र में
- 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
इस गाइड को एक स्पष्ट यात्रा योजना में बदलें
गाइड को संदर्भ के रूप में उपयोग करें, फिर कुछ भी खरीदने से पहले अपना सटीक लाइसेंस, गंतव्य, तिथियां, और वाहन की पुष्टि करें।
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.
क्या तैयार करें
- 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
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न
Can I get an IDP on the same day?
Can I get an IDP online instantly?
How early should I apply before my trip?
सरकारी और प्राधिकरण स्रोत
- AAA — International Driving Permit
- GOV.UK — get an IDP at the Post Office
- USAGov — international driving permits & authorised issuers
हमारा भी देखें अधिकृत जारीकर्ता मार्गदर्शन यह जानने के लिए कि जब आपकी यात्रा को इसकी आवश्यकता हो तो वास्तविक IDP कहां से प्राप्त करें।