While planning a road trip through the Irish countryside, I was delighted to learn that as a U.S. driver, I didn’t need to file any extra paperwork to rent a car in Ireland. I simply showed up at the rental location, presented my U.S. driver’s license, picked up my car, and was good to go. But this isn’t the case in every country. In fact, many nations require — or at least recommend — extra documentation for U.S. license holders before they can hit the highway. Here are the countries that require a little extra planning before renting a car.

The Power of an International Driving Permit

Many countries around the world will not allow you to get behind the wheel with a U.S. driver’s license on its own, due to differences in legal systems, driving conventions, and languages. However, the good news is that an International Driving Permit (IDP) can be used alongside a valid U.S. driver’s license in more than 150 countries worldwide, including most popular tourist destinations. (In addition to your license and IDP, you’ll need a valid passport while driving abroad.)

An IDP is a form of identification that translates your information into 10 languages. In the U.S., they can be purchased from the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) for about $25 plus shipping. Anyone with a valid driver’s license can apply for one. Of note, because they are issued by authorized organizations in your home country, you’ll need to obtain one before your trip.

This document must be carried alongside your driver’s license in countries that require or recommend it. If you don’t have it when required, you may face fines under local laws. 

Where Is an IDP Required?

A U.S. driver’s license is accepted when paired with an IDP in approximately 150 countries, though enforcement varies. In Europe, for instance, several countries legally require U.S. drivers to carry an IDP when renting a car or operating a vehicle. Popular destinations that enforce these laws include Spain, Italy, Austria, and Poland.

Note that some European countries — such as France, Germany, Greece, Switzerland, Portugal, and the Netherlands — do not legally require an IDP for short-term U.S. travelers. However, some rental agencies require one anyway, and it’s often recommended because it can simplify interactions with local authorities.

Elsewhere, IDP enforcement varies based on local laws and rental car regulations. In Asia, countries such as Japan and South Korea require U.S. tourists to carry an IDP and their driver’s license. In Singapore, U.S. drivers may use their American license for up to 12 months without an IDP, though one is still recommended, especially when renting a car.

In other popular tourist destinations, such as South Africa, New Zealand, and Costa Rica, a U.S. driver’s license is the only documentation required during short stays, though an IDP is always suggested when there is a language barrier. As for Australia, each state or territory has different rules about foreign driver’s licenses and IDPs, so be sure to do a little extra research before heading Down Under.

Notably, Canada and Mexico do not require IDPs for American drivers, due to long-standing travel agreements and similar licensing systems. Likewise, the U.K. and Ireland do not require IDPs, though this privilege is limited to visits of up to 12 months.

You may have also heard of the Inter-American Driving Permit (IADP), issued by AAA and originally designed for use across the Americas. While it is still technically valid in some countries, it is rarely required in practice. Most destinations in North, Central, and South America accept either a U.S. driver’s license alone or a license with a standard IDP. 

Where a U.S. License and IDP Are Not Accepted

While obtaining an IDP will cover your bases in the vast majority of countries, a handful of destinations either require travelers to obtain a local license or prohibit independent driving altogether.

China

It is usually best to book with a tour group if you’re planning to explore off the beaten path in China, as visitors are not allowed to drive with a U.S. driver’s license or an IDP. If you’d like to rent a car, you can apply for a China Provisional Driving Permit, which effectively converts your domestic driver’s license into a temporary Chinese license. Tourists will need a valid U.S. passport with a short-term China visa (90 days or less), a U.S. driver’s license, and a Registration Form of Temporary Residence, which is mandatory for all foreign travelers to China.

Bermuda

Leave the driving to the locals on this tropical island. In Bermuda, nonresidents are not allowed to own, rent, or drive four-wheeled vehicles. Instead, taxis, private drivers, and public transportation are the primary ways to get around. Two-seater electric scooters are available for tourists to rent with a valid U.S. driver’s license, but roads around the island can be challenging — drivers must stay on the left, and many roads are extremely narrow, overgrown, or bordered by stone walls.

Vietnam

Americans cannot drive in Vietnam because it recognizes the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic — which the U.S. has not ratified — so American-issued IDPs are not valid. Unfortunately, short-stay tourists cannot obtain a local driver’s license in Vietnam, as a minimum three-month stay is required, along with an exam. Travelers who attempt to drive without proper documentation risk fines or legal penalties, so most opt for hired drivers or guided transportation to explore Vietnam’s stunning countryside and coast. 

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