Do I need an international driving permit for USA?

Last Updated on December 8, 2023 by asoulwindow

Why is international driver’s license for exploring USA important?

Here is a full guide to Driving in the U.S. if you are not a citizen. In this comprehensive guide, you can educate yourself about the IDPs and how to get one before you visit the United States of America.

Can foreigners legally drive in the US?

Can a non-resident get a driver license in the USA? Yes, of course, You are required to carry an International Driver’s Permit or IDP along-with a driver’s license issued in your home country. It is important to remember that you should be able to obtain the IDP in your home country before you catch the flight to United States of America.

Who requires international driver’s license for USA?

Can I get a driver’s permit if I’m not a US resident? Depending on which state of U.S.A you are planning to explore, you will be required to hold an IDP or International Driving Permit along-with a driving permit from your home country.

However, if you are a citizen of a country other than U.S.A. but you are living permanently in the U.S., it is possible for you to secure a regular state driver’s license after completing certain formalities.

Why You Should Have an International Driving Permit in USA?

Why carry an IDP? Having travelled across the world since the year 2008, I feel the best way to see explore the destinations is via a road trip. Some of my most scenic road trip experiences across the globe include my epic road trip across West Tibet via Nepal for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra or road trip in Kazakhstan, Jordan, Sri Lanka, Sikkim and North East India. I learnt so much more about these exciting places only because I explored these in a private car.

Nomenclature

What is the international driving license called? The International Driving License is also officially called as the International Driving Permit or simply the IDP.

Who authorises the International Driving License?

The International Driving License is authorised by the United Nations.

The International Driving License is valid in how many nations?

Which countries allow international driver’s licence apart from United States of America? It really depends on which country is issuing the international driver’s license. For example, an International Driving Licence issued by Indian authorities is valid in as many as 150 countries across the globe. Some of these nations include places such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, France, Australia, Malaysia, Germany, South Africa, Sweden and Canada etc.

I know some friends who explored South East Nations such as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and it was one of their best decisions ever. Even I rode a bike in the picturesque Myanmar near the border of Mizoram to see the famous Rih-Dil lake. This is whyit is very useful and necessary to have an International Driving Licence.

Is International Driving Licence valid everywhere?

Yes, the International Driving Licence you issued from you home country is also valid pretty much elsewhere.

What are the main advantages of International Driving Licence?

What are the main benefits of having an International Driver’s License? No prizes for guessing, the main benefit of having an International Driving Licence isthe freedom it brings with it.While I have driven in nations like Bhutan and Nepal, many of my friends havedriven a car in several nations of Europe, United States of America, Mexico, Turkey, Oman and so on.

Self-driven cars, in my opinion is the best way to do immersive travel in a new place. I feel Iceland is the best place for a self-drive car. There are so many amazing tourist attractions en route the circuit road around the entire nation, that one needs to stop every few minutes. This is possible only if you have an International Driving Licence. This is why I highly recommend going for an International Driving Licence.

How useful and necessary is an International Driving Licence?

If you are a large group of friends and family or even a solo traveller, it makes total sense to explore a new country via a self-driven car. Therefore, it becomes necessary to apply for an International Driving Licence so that you are not left disappointed when you are denied a rented car or motorbike.

What is the benefit of an international driver’s license in USA?

Why Get an IDP for USA? An IDP helps you to self-drive and therefore explore USA at a lower cost than hiring a private cab or taxi.

Do I need International Driving Licence for USA?

The International Driving Licence helped when I went on an epic road trip in Australia. The Great Ocean Road trip is one of the most scenic adventures I have done so far. Stopping at the iconic 12 Apostles was the most exciting part of the journey but the road trip also gave me freedom to stop at several scenic spots en route.

What I mean to say is that if you explore a new place on a bus or train, there are very slim chances of stopping at your whims and fancies. And let’s not even talk about flights! You can’t see much except the fields and clouds. This is why I love road trips so much!

What’s more? You can even cross countries in a car if you have valid permissions and International Driving Licence.

Can you drive in the States with an international license?

International Driving Licence also helps you in driving across a country for official places. For example, recently, one of my friends visited the eastern and western parts of United States of America from India for a month on an official tour. It is common knowledge that taxis are very expensive in USA and public transport system in America is one of the weakest in the world.

Needless to say, securing a valid IDP is the best possible way to be licensed to drive across the United States of America. Thus, it made sense for my friend Jeetendra to just hire a car and drive across USA.

Having said that, let me remind you that you must have your IDP issued in your home country before you reach U.S.A. because the authorities in United States do not issue international driver’s license to non-residents.

How Long Can You Drive with a Foreign License in the U.S.?

You are welcome to explore the length and breadth of United States of America in a self-driven car as long as it is valid.

International driving license validity in USA

What do I do when my International Driver’s Permit expires? Not many people know that an   international drivers’ license is issued for only a year in most nations. However, worry not, you can easily renew your international drivers license.

Did you know that the international drivers license is issued based on the old one. However, you are required to provide a new photograph. The fee is almost same as the last time. Even the formalities you did last time and the forms you filled are same as when you applied for the license for the international driver’s license for the first time.

Conclusion: Why I need International Driving Licence in USA?

It is not everyday that we explore a new country. So why not do it in style? I know many friends who have explored the length and breadth of United States of America on a self-driven car. USA being a big (and expensive!) country is best enjoyed and appreciated via a road trip. So, what are you waiting for? Just apply for an IDP or International Driving Licence and go on epic road adventures across the US of A.