How long does it take to get an International Driving Permit?

Bijgewerkt 3 Sept 2026

Direct antwoord

In person, it takes minutes: an International Driving Permit is typically issued the same day at AAA branches in the US, participating CAA stores in Canada, and PayPoint shops in the UK. By mail, allow roughly 10–15 business days with AATA in the US, plus postage each way. No authorised issuer delivers a legitimate 'instant digital IDP' — the permit is a physical document.

In één oogopslag

AAA (US), in person: Same day at a participating branch
AATA (US), by mail: ≈10–15 business days processing
UK PayPoint shops: 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

Reisbeslissingspad

Maak van deze gids een helder reisplan

Gebruik de gids als context, bevestig vervolgens uw exacte rijbewijs, bestemming, datums en voertuig voordat u iets koopt.

3 autoriteitsbronnen

1 · Verifieer de regel

Kies het land van uw rijbewijs, bestemming, datums en voertuigtype.

2 · Gebruik een erkende IDP-route

Als de checker zegt dat een IDP vereist is, haal deze dan bij de erkende uitgever van het land van uw rijbewijs. Wij verkopen geen IDP's.

3 · Voeg een vertaalbegeleider toe

Gebruik het vertaalpakket wanneer verhuurbalies, verzekeraars of controleposten uw rijbewijs moeten kunnen lezen. Het is geen vergunning.

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 shop with PayPoint (the Post Office stopped issuing IDPs in 2024) 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.

Wat voor te bereiden

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

Controleer uw exacte route

Land van rijbewijs × bestemming × voertuig — gratis, 1 minuut.

Uw rijbewijs laten vertalen?

Duidelijk gelabelde vertaalbegeleider — nooit een nepvergunning.

Veelgestelde vragen

Can I get an IDP on the same day?

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

How long to get an international driving permit by mail?

Budget two to four weeks door to door: AATA quotes roughly 10–15 business days of processing, and you add postage both ways (more for expedited return). Start the application as soon as your trip is booked; a 1949 permit can be dated to start up to six months after you apply, so applying early costs you no validity.

How long does it take to get an international driving licence in the UK?

Minutes. UK photocard licence holders buy the IDP over the counter at shops that offer PayPoint for £5.50 with a passport photo — there is no postal or online route from GOV.UK. Check GOV.UK's country table first: many destinations, including Italy and Spain, do not require UK visitors to hold one.

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.

Overheids- en autoriteitsbronnen

Zie ook onze begeleiding erkende uitgever voor waar u een echte IDP kunt krijgen wanneer uw reis er een vereist.

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.