A Guide to International Drivers' Permits From the Auto Club
15 July 1999
Myth vs. Fact: A Guide to International Drivers' Permits From the Auto Club; AAA Clubs Offer Officially Recognized Documents
LOS ANGELES--July 14, 1999--International travelers should familiarize themselves with the driving requirements of their destination countries before they depart, and be wary of Internet sites claiming to sell international drivers' permits, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.A passport and a valid American driver's license are sometimes sufficient proof of identification for motorists abroad, particularly in English-speaking countries. But when an international driver's permit (IDP) is recommended or required, a tourist should obtain it before leaving the United States, say travel experts at the Auto Club.
"In the hustle and bustle of getting ready to leave the country, travelers may forget this important document," said Tim Irwin, managing director of travel-related services for the Auto Club. "We want people to know that it usually only takes a few moments at a local Auto Club office to obtain an international driver's permit, and it only costs $10."
Irwin said it's especially important for consumers to know that AAA is one of only two organizations in the United States authorized to provide international driver's permits. Several recently established Internet sites claim to offer the permits, sometimes charging as much as $200 for them. But the documents they sell are not internationally recognized and could actually result in problems with foreign law enforcement. The only other association authorized to issue the permits is the American Automobile Touring Alliance.
The permit is accepted in more than 200 countries outside the United States and serves as a legal identification document that translates U.S. driver's license information into 11 foreign languages.
Many popular travel destinations -- Greece and Japan, for example -- do not recognize the U.S. driver's license, but accept the international driver's permit. Other countries -- such as Spain and Italy -- recognize the U.S. driver's license, but only in conjunction with an official translation such as the international permit provides.
The Auto Club recommends that tourists obtain an international permit as added protection when overseas, even if they are not planning to drive. It serves as a useful document in communicating with non-English speaking authorities.
The Auto Club and other AAA clubs provide the international permits for $10 to both AAA members and non-members who are at least 18 years of age and already possess a valid U.S. driver's license. Those obtaining the permits should have their valid U.S. driver's license handy, and provide two recent passport-sized (2-inches by 2-inches) head-and-shoulders photographs.
Auto Club offices have cameras available to take the photographs for an $8 fee for members, and $15 for non-members. The document is produced immediately, so there is usually no need to wait for it to arrive in the mail.
International driver's permits are about the size of a passport and are good for one year from the date of issue. Some Internet sites claim they have permits available that are good for up to four years, but no valid international permit lasts for longer than one year.
Also, if a traveler's U.S. driver's license is set to expire within a year, the international permit is only valid for as long as the U.S. driver's license is valid.
When traveling in a foreign country, tourists always should carry their passports, U.S. driver's licenses, and international driver's permits.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by the organization's emergency road service, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs and legislative advocacy.
Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.
