How much does an International Driving Permit cost?

An IDP is an inexpensive document. What you actually pay depends on the route you take, whether you want a physical copy, and how quickly you need it — plus a few costs that never appear on the price tag.

From the authorised issuer at home

In the United States, AAA and AATA charge around $20 for the convention booklet. On top of that you'll pay for two passport photos and, if you apply by post, postage both ways. Other countries set their own fee — check your government's driving-licence pages.

Online

Online certified translations are sold at a flat price per order. At International DL, plans start at $39.00, and the price changes with three choices you make when you apply:

• Digital only, or digital plus a posted booklet. The booklet adds printing and postage.
• Express delivery for the booklet, if you need it posted faster.
• Validity — extra years add to the price.

You see the full price, including any coupon, before you pay. Start an application to see it for your options.

The costs people forget

• Photos. Two printed passport photos for a postal application.
• Postage and time. A postal application can take one to three weeks; rushing it costs extra, and so does a branch visit in working hours.
• Getting it wrong. A misspelt name means a new document. Check every field before you confirm.
• Not having one. A rental desk that refuses the car leaves you paying for taxis, a new booking or a non-refundable deposit — far more than the permit.

Price signals that mean a scam

A legitimate translation is cheap. Be wary of prices far above the market attached to claims of a "government licence", a document that lets you drive "without your national licence", or acceptance "guaranteed in every country". Those claims are false whatever the price. See how to tell a legitimate online IDP.