International Driver's License for Foreign Visitors

If you are a foreign visitor to the U.S. and do not have a state issued driver's license, you may still be able to rent a car and drive legally using an international driving permit (IDP). Also called an international driver's license, it must be issued by your home country - not the United States. Your home country must be a party to the UN Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 1949) that allows residents of one country with a valid driver's license to drive a motor vehicle in another country who also participates in the Convention.

Warning: if you have a U.S. driver's license, do NOT use your international driving permit as proof of your ID or license to drive. An IDP is NOT a replacement for your state-issued driver's license. Very important! Also be very careful with scam websites selling fake IDP's which can get you in serious trouble in the U.S.

Keep in mind that most states have restrictions on how long you may use an international driver's license, usually no more than a year. So once you become eligible, you are encouraged to apply for a driver's license with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the state you reside in. Different states have different residency requirements, so check with your state's DMV for details.

A state-issued driver's license allows you to drive legally in all U.S. states. It is also proof of personal identification. However, as a non-immigrant visitor on temporary visas, you may be required to carry other types of ID or proof of your legal immigration status. Although most local authorities do not ask for immigration paperwork if you carry a valid driver's license, it is still a good idea to bring with you at least a copy of your most recent I-797, for example, just in case.

If you are driving with an international driver's license, however, you must carry a valid passport or other form of legal identification. As mentioned before, an IDP doesn't prove your ID.

Lastly, the U.S. has very strict laws on the use of seat belts and child safety seats, and they vary from state to state. It is important to understand the regulations of the state you plan to visit. For your own safety, though, always buckle up, use a child seat whenever possible, and obey the speed limit.

Have a safe trip!

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