How Fast Can I Get an International Driving Permit?

The quickest option is a digital IDP. Once you submit a valid national licence and a compliant photo, an online application can be reviewed and the digital permit issued within minutes in straightforward cases. This is ideal if you are travelling soon or booking a rental at short notice.

Keep in mind that acceptance of a purely digital IDP can vary by country and by the individual official, so most travellers treat the digital copy as the fast head start and still order the physical permit to carry.

A physical IDP is a printed booklet, so the timeline includes production plus shipping. Standard post can take several days to a couple of weeks depending on your location, while expedited or courier options shorten that considerably for an extra fee.

If you need the physical permit for a specific trip, count back from your departure date and apply with a comfortable buffer. Ordering at the last minute usually means paying for faster shipping rather than waiting on standard delivery.

The most common cause of delay is an application that needs correcting. A blurry or non-compliant photo, a licence image that is hard to read, mismatched names or an expired licence can all trigger a request for resubmission, which adds time.

Getting the basics right the first time keeps things fast: a clear scan of a currently valid national licence, a photo that meets the stated requirements, and details typed exactly as they appear on your licence.

Apply before you leave home rather than after you arrive, and have your valid licence and a compliant photo ready before you start. Double-check every field against your licence so there is nothing to correct.

If your departure is imminent, choose the digital IDP for immediate use and add an expedited shipping option for the physical copy so both arrive in time. Always verify that your destination recognises an IDP and whether it expects the physical booklet.