Getting an International Driving Permit


Getting an International Driving Permit


As an expat, you will need to get around and public transportation may not be accessible. You may need to drive in your foreign country and be a licensed driver. As every country’s laws are different, you will need to comply with each country’s unique rules. In general, if you are staying somewhere less than a year, you likely won’t need to obtain a driver’s license for that country.

While many countries have arrangements that allow people to drive with their license from their home country, having an international driving permit is the best way to make driving from country to country as smooth as possible.





International Driving Permit


It’s easy to get confused between an international license and a permit. You will need a permit, not a license. If you search the Internet, you’ll come across “International Driver’s Licenses.” These are not official documents, and do not extend driving privileges to foreign countries. They’re simply a translation of a driver’s license. They might be helpful when renting a car, but they are not valid forms of Identification.

What you want is an International Driving Permit (IDP). These are documents recognized by countries that translate your driver’s license to various languages. The IDP and your valid driver’s license — which you also have to have on you when driving in a foreign country — allow the holder to drive in more than 100 countries, including many where a foreign driver’s license alone won’t be accepted.

In the U.S., individuals at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license from a U.S. state or territory, can purchase an official IDP. To get an IDP, you need to have a valid driver’s license from any U.S. State, fill out the application and pay the fee. No test, either written or practical, is required to obtain the permit.

International Driver’s Permit is a gray booklet, about the size of a passport, with “United States of America” printed on the cover, along with the seal of the International Traffic Control Association  (ITCA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) in the middle of the cover.

ITCA organizations that are authorized by the U.S. State Department to issue an IDP. According to the Federal Trade Commission, both organizations charge less than $20 for an IDP. If you’re asked to pay more, the FTC says it’s a “rip-off.” Furthermore, the website warns that purchasing a fake IDP could lead to legal problems or travel delays if you use it for driving purposes. Anyone who thinks they have purchased a fake IDP, should report it to the Federal Trade Commission.




How to Change Your License in Europe


International Driver’s Permits are valid for a year. If you stay in a country for more than a year, you likely will need to get a driver’s license for that country. Again, the process of getting a license will vary from country to country.

In France, for example, driving with a foreign driver’s license is allowed, and the country recognizes licenses from many countries for up to a year, as long as it’s accompanied by an International Driving Permit. Drivers with a license from a European Union nation can drive for an unlimited period of time with that license, as long as the license is valid, they are at least 18 years old, and are in compliance with medical requirements, such as eyeglasses.




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