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Consumer protection guide

How to avoid International Driving Permit scams

Short answer

In the United States, only AAA and AATA issue official government-recognized IDPs, for about $20. No document — including ours — is a driver's licence or lets you drive without one. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission warns against any seller claiming otherwise.

Written by Daniel MercerUpdated June 2026

What the FTC says

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has prosecuted sellers of fake International Driving Permits and "international driver's licenses" for years. Its core consumer guidance is simple: an IDP is only a translation of a valid driver's licence. It cannot replace a licence, cannot restore a suspended licence, and cannot make an unlicensed person legal to drive — anywhere. In the U.S., the Department of State authorizes exactly two issuers of official IDPs: AAA and AATA. Read the FTC's guidance directly at consumer.ftc.gov.

Red flags of an IDP scam

"This is a driver's licence" — no IDP or translation is a licence. Anyone selling a stand-alone "international driver's license" is selling a worthless or fraudulent document.
"Drive even if your licence is suspended" — impossible. Driving on a suspended licence is illegal regardless of any document you carry.
Unverifiable claims of official status — claims of government certification, exclusive recognition, or affiliation with AAA that you cannot independently verify with the named organization.
No transparency — no physical address, no clear refund policy, no statement of what the document legally is and isn't.
Pressure tactics — countdown timers and claims your "licence expires" for international use.

Where we stand

International Driver Licence is an independent private company. We are not AAA, not AATA, and not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by AAA, AATA, the United Nations, or any government or licensing body. What we sell is an IDP-style multilingual translation of your existing valid driving licence in the 1949 Geneva / 1968 Vienna Convention booklet format — delivered digitally in minutes, useful where a readable translation of your licence is what's needed. It is not a licence, grants no driving privileges, and is not a substitute where an official government-issued IDP is legally required. See what this document is and isn't and our full legal disclaimer.

If you want the official U.S. IDP, get it from AAA— it costs about $20 plus photos and requires a valid U.S. licence. If you want speed, digital delivery, and a convention-format translation backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, that's what we do.

Frequently asked

IDP scam questions

Who issues official International Driving Permits in the United States?

Only two organizations are authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue official IDPs: AAA (the American Automobile Association) and AATA. Any other company claiming to issue an official U.S. government-recognized IDP is misrepresenting its product.

Is an 'international driver's license' a real document?

No. There is no such thing as an international driver's license that replaces your national licence. An International Driving Permit is only a translation that accompanies your valid licence — it never grants driving privileges on its own. The FTC warns that any seller claiming its document lets you drive legally without a valid licence is running a scam.

What does the FTC say about IDP scams?

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has repeatedly taken action against sellers of fake IDPs. Its guidance: official U.S. IDPs come only from AAA or AATA, cost around $20, and require a valid U.S. licence. Be suspicious of sites claiming their document can serve as a driver's licence, help you avoid traffic tickets, or restore driving privileges after a suspension.

Is the document sold on this website an official IDP?

No — and we say so plainly. We sell an IDP-style multilingual translation of your existing valid licence, prepared in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention booklet format. We are an independent private company, not affiliated with AAA, AATA, or any government. If your destination legally requires an official government-issued IDP, ours is not a substitute.

What are the warning signs of an IDP scam?

Claims that the document is a licence or replaces one; claims it can erase points, beat suspensions, or let unlicensed people drive; claims of government authority or official recognition that can't be verified; very high prices for what is legally a ~$20 document from AAA; and no physical address, refund policy, or human support.

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