Your flight finally lands and, after months of saving and planning,
your long-awaited road trip across Europe is about to begin. All that’s
left to do now is find the rental office and pick up a car. Then, just
before the agent hands over the keys, you hear these seven words: “Can I
see your international driving permit?”
If you're already on your
trip, you're likely out of luck when it comes to an international
driving permit—it's recommended or required for foreign drivers by more
than 150 countries, after all. But with a little per-planning, your road
trip can be seamless with the $20 permit tucked in your wallet. Read on
below for our recommendations for when and how to pick up an
international driving permit before your asphalt adventure.
What is an international driving permit?
First
things first, it's not technically a driver's license—you'll already
need one of those from your country or state of origin to accompany your
international driving permit. The permit, a small, passport-like
booklet issued by International Traffic Control Association , gives
visitors the right to drive a car in any of the countries that accept
it. The permit translates your American driver’s license into ten
languages, including Arabic and Portuguese. That means a lot less
back-and-forth on the back roads of Morocco when the officer has never
seen a Nevada driver’s license before.
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Check
the State Department’s site for specific license requirements for the
country you’re visiting. The most important thing is to check the
requirements long before you leave, so as not to be stranded when you
learn that you need a document that you don't have. These can't be
issued on the spot outside of the U.S.
An international driving permit isn't required where I'm going. Do I still need one?
If
you're traveling to a country that doesn't speak your language, you
should get one anyway for the peace of mind, according to Bryan
Shilling, AAA's managing director of travel products and services. “The
real value of it isn’t so much from a legal standpoint," says Shilling.
"It’s really in case something were to happen—you’re pulled over for a
driving infraction, or there’s an accident, or something goes awry. If
you don’t have an international driving permit, [the police] may not be able to communicate effectively with you."
What happens if I drive without one?
Let’s
say you’re pulled over and caught sans permit. Whether that’ll be a
vacation ender or not depends on the country you’re in and the local
laws. The penalties in Japan, for example, are severe: You could be
arrested or even deported if you don’t have the necessary paperwork.
How do I get an international driving permit?
Start
by filling out an application (print it here) and make sure you have
two passport-sized photos. Then, find your nearest AAA branch office
(the AATA only take applications by mail) and bring those materials,
along with your driver’s license and $20, to the most convenient
location. There's no need to make an appointment, and as long as your
documents are in good shape, you'll receive your international driving
permit within minutes on the spot.
If you're out of the country
indefinitely, you can also apply to the AAA by mail, like the AATA, but
expect it to take up to six weeks to process. Plus, you'll need to
include between $75 and $100 extra to cover shipping costs. Check each
organization's website if you're registering from abroad for more info.
How long is an international driving permit valid?
The permit is valid for just 12 months from the date of issue, so be sure to keep track of when yours is about to expire.
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