Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car abroad? In most countries, yes — major rental networks (Hertz, Enterprise, Sixt, Avis, Europcar) ask for an IDP at the counter whenever your licence was issued outside the region, and many countries require one by law for foreign drivers. The answer is: it depends on your home country, the U.S. state you’re visiting, and the language on your driver’s license. In this guide, we’ll break it all down for you—plus show you how to apply for an IDP translation quickly and easily. The United States doesn’t issue International Driving Permits to non-residents, so you’ll need to apply for it in your home country before you travel. Remember, this is a supporting document for a valid driver’s license and can’t be used in place of an actual license or as a form of identification. If your license is not in English, you'll typically need an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in your home country to accompany it. Rental car companies almost always require an IDP for non-English licenses. Can I drive in USA with a foreign driving license, is one of the most important practical questions for any international visitor planning a road trip through America — and the answer is yes, in most circumstances, with some conditions that vary by state and by car rental company. Depending on the U.S. states you will visit, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) as well as a driver's license from your country. An IDP is a form of identification that many countries around the world recognize. It allows you to drive legally in a different country. Quick answer Yes — in many cases you can rent without an IDP, as long as your driver’s license is valid and printed in the local language or the Latin/Roman alphabet (English, French, German, Spanish, etc.) and the country accepts it. If so, you’ve probably asked yourself: do I actually need an International Driving Permit to hire a car in the US? The answer depends on a few things: where you're from, the language on your driving licence, and the specific rules of the hire company. In many cases, international travelers can rent a car in the U.S. using a valid driver’s license from their home country. However, whether you need an IDP often depends on several factors. If your license is written in English, many rental companies may accept it without requiring an IDP. The IDP is NOT a stand-alone license — it must always be carried together with your original valid driver's license. It exists to help police officers and rental car companies in foreign countries read your license, regardless of the language or script of the original.