California

How to get an International Driving Permit in California

In short

Yes, in any country that requires an IDP for foreign drivers — your California license alone is not enough there. The IDP is a translation of your California license, carried together with it. California issues more driver's licenses than any other state, and every one of them works with our online IDP booklet.

From Los Angeles and San Diego to San Francisco and Sacramento, Californians fly to exactly the places that ask for an IDP: Japan, Thailand, and Mexico all require one alongside a US license. AAA branch coverage in California varies widely by region and walk-in availability has been shrinking, so most applicants now skip the office entirely and get the booklet issued online against their California license. The IDP itself is the multilingual translation of your existing license, issued in the official UN-convention format and carried alongside it.

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Last reviewed June 2026

California drivers — common questions

Do California license holders need an International Driving Permit?

Can I get an IDP in California without going to AAA?

Yes — the whole application is online. Enter your California license details, pay, and your digital IDP booklet is emailed to you in as fast as 8 minutes. No appointment and no branch visit.

Which convention covers California licenses abroad?

California licenses are issued in the United States, which is party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic — so your IDP is issued in the 1949 format recognized in most countries worldwide.

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