Search for "international driver's license" and you'll find a mess of terms: IDP, IDL, licence translation, international licence. Let's untangle it — because knowing the difference protects your money and your trip.
The real document: the IDP
The International Driving Permit (IDP) is the internationally recognized translation of your national driving licence, based on the UN road traffic conventions (1949 and 1968). It shows your details and licence categories in multiple languages, is recognized in 175+ countries, and is valid only together with your original licence.
What an IDP is not
It's not a licence. It doesn't grant driving rights on its own — your national licence does that.
It's not a qualification. There's no test; it's a certified translation of what you already hold.
It doesn't extend expired licences. If your licence is invalid, so is your IDP.
Why the confusion exists
"International driver's license" is simply the phrase most people search for. Legitimate services (like GetIDPermit) use it to be found, but deliver the correct document — a translation carried with your licence. The red flag is any site claiming you can drive without a national licence: that document would be worthless at any checkpoint.
What travellers actually need
For driving or renting a car in countries like Japan, Italy, Thailand or the UAE: your valid national licence plus an IDP-style translation. That combination satisfies rental desks, police and insurers in the vast majority of destinations — check your country on our destinations index.
Ready in minutes, delivered to your inbox: get your IDP here →
Get your IDP in minutes
Digital delivery to your inbox. Recognized in 175+ countries.
Get my IDP now →FAQ
Is there such a thing as an international driver's license?
No standalone 'international driver's license' exists. The real document is the International Driving Permit (IDP) — a translation of your national licence that's valid only alongside it.
Can an IDP replace my national licence?
No. An IDP is a translation, not a licence. You must always carry both documents together when driving abroad.
How do I spot a fake IDP offer?
Be wary of sites promising a 'license' that lets you drive without any national licence, or 'lifetime' documents that replace your licence. A legitimate IDP always references and accompanies your real licence.