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Do you need an international driving permit in the USA?

If you’re renting a car in the USA, you may need an international driving permit (IDP) depending on what state you plan to visit. Most US states do not require visitors to carry an international driving permit, however some do and you need to know before you arrive as you cannot arrange one on arrival, it has to be done in the country where your domestic license was issued.

international driving permit USA by state idp

What US States need international driving permit?

State
IDP Required - YES/NO
 Alabama
Yes
 Alaska
Yes
 Arizona
No
 Arkansas
Yes
 California
No (unless in State for more than 90 Days)
 Colorado
No (unless in State for more than 90 Days)
 Connecticut
Yes
 Delaware
Yes
 Florida
No
 Georgia
Yes
 Hawaii
No
 Idaho
Yes
 Illinois
No
 Indiana
No (unless license is not in English)
 Iowa
No
 Kansas
No
 Kentucky
No
 Louisiana
No
 Maine
No
 Maryland
No
 Massachusetts
No
 Michigan
No (unless license is not in English)
 Minnesota
No
 Mississippi
Yes
 Missouri
No
 Montana
Yes
 Nebraska
No
 Nevada
No
 New Hampshire
No
 New Jersey
No (unless license is not in English)
 New Mexico
No
 New York
No
 North Carolina
No
 North Dakota
No
 Ohio
No (unless license is not in English)
 Oklahoma
No
 Oregon
No
 Pennsylvania
No
 Rhode Island
No (unless license is not in English)
 South Carolina
No (unless license is not in English)
 South Dakota
No
 Tennessee
No
 Texas
No
 Utah
No
 Vermont
Yes
 Virginia
Yes
 Washington
Yes
 West Virginia
No
 Wisconsin
No (unless license is not in English)
 Wyoming
No

Travelling between states – do I need an IDP?

Yes, no matter where you start of finish your journey or collect and return your rental car, if you drive on the roads of any state you are bound by its laws, much like speed limits in the USA vary by state, so do its requirement for an international driving permit. For example, If you arrive into Orlando in Florida where an IDP is not required, but plan to head north to Georgia, even if just for a day, you’ll need an IDP as Georgia is one of the 12 states in the USA where an international driving permit is required.

What international driving permit do you need to drive in the USA?

If you are driving in any of the states where an international driving permit is required, you’ll need IDP 1949. There are 3 different international driving permits available, depending on what you country you visit. Officially called the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic has been ratified in 96 countries (including the US) and is valid for 12 months with a 6 month grace period, however we recommend that your permit is valid for the duration of your planned stay in the USA.

What is the 90 day rule?

In some states, whilst an international driving permit is not generally required, if you plan to stay for more than 90 days, an international driving permit is required. This is the case for California and Colorado.

What if I don’t have an IDP when driving in the USA?

If you are renting a car in the USA, in a state that requires an international driving permit your rental agent may request sight of your IDP at collection. Failure to present may lead to the rental agent refusing to release the car. If you travel into a state where an IDP is required and you don’t have one and are requested to present it by a traffic officer and fail to present, you will likely be issued with fine and could have the vehicle seized for failing to provide a valid driving license.

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Phil Partridge
Posted: October 07, 2019 by Phil Partridge
About the Author -

Travel writer, car rental guru, Phil has rented cars all over the world and shares his knowledge and experience on the Rhinocarhire.com Blog. Favourite country to visit: France.

Last updated: Sunday, February 4, 2024
Comments
Michael Muhler
According to the Georgia Department of Driver Services you do NOT need an IDP.
Most car rental companies, e.g. Hertz, RECOMMEND an IDP if the driver's license is not in English, but they do not require one. I could not find a single state or car rental company which requires an IDP. Please provide a reference for this requirement.
7/5/2022 1:53:25 PM

Salpheap Mao
I have IDP but i'm not renting a car, can i drive my sister car in Georgia?
3/23/2022 4:50:47 PM

Rith Heal
i'm not renting a car, i can drive my aunty car and i need to drive in seattle washtington state,

do i need an IDP ? i have australian driver license

thanks
11/17/2021 6:19:37 AM