How is the IDP validity period determined and when does it expire?

Validity Period of an International Permit
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is issued for a fixed period of time chosen by you (such as 1, 3, 5, 10, or 20 years). This allows travelers to select the most convenient format for planning their long-term trips. However, when determining the legitimacy of the document, the key factor is not only the date printed on the booklet itself, but also the status of your domestic documents.

Total Legal Dependency on the Domestic License
There is a strict international rule established by UN conventions: the IDP is not a standalone document, but functions exclusively as an official certified supplement to your domestic driving license. This means that if your domestic license expires, is canceled, suspended, or revoked by local authorities, your IDP instantly and automatically loses its legal force worldwide. Even if the IDP booklet was issued for 10 years, if the national license expires in a month, the international status is invalidated along with it.

Rules for Presenting Documents Abroad
During roadside checks by traffic police or when renting a vehicle abroad, you must always present both documents simultaneously — the original domestic driving license and the international permit. Operating a vehicle abroad using only an IDP (without holding the physical original of your domestic license) is a direct violation of the law and results in heavy fines, and in some jurisdictions, vehicle impoundment. The IDP serves as a translation and verification but does not replace the driving privileges granted by your home country.

Early Replacement and Renewal
If you renew your domestic driving license (for instance, due to a name change, adding a new vehicle category, or early replacement), you will need to reorder your IDP based on the new updated data. There are no fines, penalties, or restrictions for early replacement of an IDP. The reordering process is identical to the primary application: simply fill out a quick online form on our website, upload a recent photo, and a scan of your new domestic driving license.