You May Need an International Driving Permit for Foreign Travel
Car travel is a fun travel option, but if you are traveling overseas you need to be prepared. Some countries do require an international permit.
While most countries will allow you to drive with your US license, Travel + Leisure notes that an international driving license is required in some regions. This is a $ 20 document that translates your license into ten languages, making your car rental easier. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles website , you must obtain a permit through AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance :
If you are planning to rent a car while in another country, you will most likely need an international driving license … For US citizens, the US government requires you to apply for an international driving license from the American Automobile Association (AAA) or American Automobile Tourist alliance (AATA).
The document is valid for about a year and the DMV suggests keeping both your international permit and your American license with you when driving abroad. So which countries require (or at least recommend) this? According to AAA, there are about 150 of them . Some of these include Italy, Germany and Spain. However, there are different conditions depending on the country.
It is best to check the requirements for your destination if you plan on driving and you can do so here.