Hawaii
HawaiiHow to get an International Driving Permit in Hawaii
In short
Yes, in any country that requires an IDP for foreign drivers — your Hawaii license alone is not enough there. The IDP is a translation of your Hawaii license, carried together with it. Hawaii license holders carry the IDP alongside the Hawaii license — the pairing is what foreign authorities recognize.
Japan and Thailand are practically commuter routes from Honolulu, and both require an IDP for US license holders. For drivers in Honolulu, Hilo, and Kailua-Kona, reaching a AAA office can mean an inter-island trip — coverage varies island to island and has been shrinking. Your Hawaii license works with our online IDP booklet, so the whole thing happens from home. The IDP itself is the multilingual translation of your existing license, issued in the official UN-convention format and carried alongside it.
Last reviewed June 2026
Hawaii drivers — common questions
01
Do Hawaii license holders need an International Driving Permit?
Yes, in any country that requires an IDP for foreign drivers — your Hawaii license alone is not enough there. The IDP is a translation of your Hawaii license, carried together with it. Hawaii license holders carry the IDP alongside the Hawaii license — the pairing is what foreign authorities recognize.
02
Can I get an IDP in Hawaii without going to AAA?
Yes — the whole application is online. Enter your Hawaii license details, pay, and your digital IDP booklet is emailed to you in as fast as 8 minutes. No appointment and no branch visit.
03
Which convention covers Hawaii licenses abroad?
Hawaii 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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