Are online International Driving Permits real?
Some are useful and honest; some are scams. The difference isn't whether the document arrives by email — it's what the seller claims it is. Here's what a legitimate online document is, how to check one, and when you need something else.
What a legitimate online document is
A legitimate online service issues a certified translation of your licence — a multi-language document carried with your national licence so that officers and rental desks can read it. It is not the convention booklet issued by the authorised body in your home country (in the US, AAA and AATA), and an honest seller says so plainly.
What ours says about itself
Our document states on its cover that it is not a government-issued document and not a replacement for a national driving licence, and that acceptance depends on local laws, rental agencies and authorities. It carries a QR code that opens a verification page on our site, so whoever is checking can confirm it was issued by us. You can see a full sample before you buy.
Red flags of a scam
- It promises you can drive without a national licence, or with a suspended one.
- It calls itself a "government" or "official" licence.
- It guarantees acceptance "in every country". China recognises no IDP of any kind.
- It shows no sample and offers no way to verify a document.
- The price is far above the market, justified by any of the claims above.
When you need the home-issued booklet
A translation is what many rental desks and officers are asking to read, but some destinations name the convention booklet specifically. Japan, for instance, accepts only the 1949 Geneva booklet, and drivers from some countries need an authorised Japanese translation instead. If your destination's country page says the convention booklet is required, get it from the authorised issuer where your licence was issued.
How to buy safely
- Read how the seller describes the document. "Translation" or "companion to your licence" is honest; "licence" is not.
- Look at a sample before you pay.
- Check there's a way to verify an issued document.
- Check your destination's rule on its country page.
Then apply — you'll review every field before the document is generated.
Frequently asked questions
Will police accept a digital IDP?
Acceptance varies by country and by officer. Carry it with your national licence and passport, and keep a printed copy as a backup.
How do I verify an online IDP is genuine?
Check that the seller describes it as a translation that accompanies your licence, shows a real sample, and provides a way to verify an issued document — ours carries a QR code for that.
Is an online IDP the same as the AAA booklet?
No. The AAA and AATA booklet is the convention document issued in the US. An online service issues a certified translation of your licence.
Get your International Driving Permit online
Apply on your phone — same-day digital delivery, with an optional posted booklet.
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Reviewed 1 November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Driving rules and IDP acceptance change and vary by country, region and nationality — always confirm current requirements with the official transport authority or embassy before you travel.