International Drivers Should Bring a Driving Permit (IDP) to USA

What You Should Bring as a Visitor in the United States?

If you are visiting the United States and want to drive, you must bring a driver’s license issued by your home country.

You cannot get a US driver’s license in any state as a temporary visitor on a non-immigrant visa (or a visa waiver program) to enter the United States temporarily for business, pleasure, or medical treatment.

You can drive in all states if your foreign driver’s license is valid and you have a legitimate visa on paper or in your passport. In some states, your visit cannot exceed 12 months.

Visitors who plan to visit the United States for a more extended period and a different purpose, including students, temporary workers, crew members, or journalists, must apply for another visa category.

In addition to your foreign driver’s license, you should also bring an International Driving Permit (IDP). This is especially true if your driver’s license is not easily translated into English.

What is an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

An IDP is a valid identification in more than 150 countries worldwide, including the United States.

This document has your name, photo, and driver information in 10 languages, which makes it understandable to local officials and authorities.

Motoring organizations or motoring authorities in your home country can only issue permits.

As a visitor in the United States, you cannot get the International Driving Permit when you have entered the States, and you must obtain this document before you travel.

In the same manner, U.S. residents should get the permit from their home state before they travel abroad .

Please note that you should bring both your license and the IDP. An IDP does not serve as a replacement for your license.

Is the International Driving Permit (IDP) Mandatory?

If you were visiting the United States and stopped by law enforcement, you would most likely be asked to show both documents unless your license is in English or can be understood by the officer.

The IDP is not a required document in any state, but if your license isn’t in English and not from Mexico, Western Europe, or Canada, it may be a good idea to bring one. It can save you both time and hassle if the police stop you.

If you want to rent a car, the rental company may ask for your license and an IDP, depending on your home country.

If You Plan to Live in the United States

If you are going to live in the U.S. (become a resident), you must get a U.S. driver’s license once you are in the U.S. You apply for a license in the state where you live (not from the federal government). If you want to drive, you may be required to get the license within a month or less, depending on the state.

Remember, each state has its own rules for getting a driver’s license. They also have their own driving rules and regulations.

The residency requirement for obtaining a U.S. driver’s license varies with each state. Check with your state’s motor vehicles department to find out how to apply. They can also give you more information about the road rules in their state.

Once you receive your U.S. driver’s license, you can drive in all other U.S. states. But again, the laws in each state vary a bit, and what is true in one state may not be accurate in the neighboring state.

You are responsible for knowing and obeying the driving laws in each state you visit.

Things to Remember when Driving in United States

  Right turn on red.

In most places, you may turn right on a red light after a complete stop and if the way is clear. If a turn against red is not allowed, a “No Turn on Red” sign will be posted.

In New York City, you may never turn against a red signal.

  Stop for stopped school buses.

You must always stop if you, from any direction, approach a stopped school bus with flashing red lights .

In general, you may only proceed without stopping if you go in the opposite direction on a highway divided by a barrier or an unpaved strip.

There are severe penalties for breaking this law.

  Stop for flashing red signals.

A traffic light with a flashing red light has the same meaning as a stop sign . You must stop, yield, and go only when it is safe.

  Use care when going against a flashing yellow signal.

A traffic light with a flashing yellow light serves as a warning and tells you to slow down and use care when entering the intersection .

If the way is clear, you should not stop because other drivers will not expect you to.

  A flashing yellow arrow allows you to make a left turn.

You will often see traffic lights with arrows.

The green arrow lets you make a protected turn (a red light stops oncoming traffic).

The flashing yellow arrow allows you to make an unprotected turn (oncoming traffic has a green signal). You must yield to oncoming traffic before turning.

The red arrow usually means that you must stop and remain stopped, but some states allow a turn after stopping and yielding. A rule of thumb is to stay stopped unless you are sure a turn against the red arrow is permitted in your visiting state.

  Move over when you see stopped vehicles on the shoulder.

If you see any emergency or maintenance vehicles stopped on a shoulder, you must move into a lane that is not next to the stopped vehicle. You must slow down to a reasonable speed if you can’t move over.

This is known as the “Move Over Law” .

Most American drivers apply these rules when they see any vehicle stopped beside the road.

  If you drive with small children, use appropriate child safety seats, and do not smoke!

You must always use child safety seats when you have small children in the car, and rear-facing seats must always be fastened in the back seat. Rules can be complicated, but if your child fits in a child seat, use one appropriate for age, weight, and height.

Seat belt laws vary across the United States, and the best way to ensure you follow the law is to ask everyone in the car to buckle up.

Some states, like California, also have strict rules about smoking when a minor is in the car.

  Know what to do if you are pulled over.

If a police officer pulls you over, stop on a shoulder or side road. Remain in your car with your hands on the steering wheel. Don’t make any movements, like looking for driver’s licenses and rental agreements, until asked to do so by the officer.

If you are issued a ticket, you may be asked to sign it. Your signature on the ticket is not an admission of guilt. It is just a promise to appear in court when needed.

IDP Information for Americans

  Your International Driving Permit speaks the language – even if you don’t! – AAA