WA state travelers: Roadtripping abroad this holiday season? Remember your IDP!
If you are a Seattle or broader WA resident who is planning to drive abroad, please be aware that you may need an International Driving Permit. This is one of the easiest pieces to overlook in planning, and also the most frustrating to fix at the last minute! The most common way to get one is usually to go in-person to a AAA branch, but AAA closed down all physical branches in Washington in May 2025.
What is an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
An International Driving Permit is a document that translates and standardizes your driver’s license into an internationally recognized format with. Its primary purpose is to enable foreign authorities and rental agencies to confirm you are legally allowed to drive in their country. It was created by an international treaty called the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and is accepted in 150+ different countries and territories.
It’s important to check if you need one in your destination country because enforcement varies widely from country to country. Without it, you could be fined $500+, denied a rental car, your insurance could void your coverage in case of an accident, or in extreme cases, you could even face legal consequences. If you have questions about the necessity of an IDP for your destination country, get in touch with us and we’ll tell you everything we know about the law and about other travelers’ experiences!
I live in Washington. What are my options for getting an IDP now that all physical AAA branches closed?
1. The closest AAA branch to Seattle is in Portland, Oregon.
The only way to get an IDP on the same day is by driving to Portland, which is about a 6 hour round-trip drive from Seattle. If that’s not possible for you, contact us. We will talk you through the fastest options for your unique situation.
2. The fastest and most convenient option is to apply through PriorityIDP’s website.
After you apply, we will obtain an IDP on your behalf from our AAA partner branch in Minnesota and express ship it to you anywhere in the world. Our fastest delivery options are next-day for domestic addresses and 2 business days for most major international cities.
3. If you have at least two weeks before your trip, you can still apply with an authorized issuer directly online.
AAA Washington recommends applying at least two weeks before your trip to allow sufficient time for processing and shipping.
No matter which option you choose, be careful about IDP scammers! There are many websites that claim to deliver a digital IDP without involving US State Department authorized issuers (i.e. AAA or AATA). Read about how to avoid fakes here.
Have more questions? Check out our FAQs page for more information about International Driving Permits (IDPs). We are happy to help you learn about the process whether you apply through our site or not!
Our favorite winter destinations (make sure you have an IDP!)
Need some inspiration for where to go? We’ve outlined our favorite destinations for the winter holidays and the IDP requirements for each place.
Turn Seattle rain into perfect powder:
Japan (Hokkaido) – one of the strictest countries for IDPs; you won’t even be able to do the Mario Kart experience without one!
France (Chamonix) – IDP is recommended, though enforcement is somewhat lax
Switzerland (Zermatt) – IDP not legally required
Canada (Whistler) – IDP not legally required
Escape the PNW’s gray skies:
South Korea (Jeju) – IDP strictly required
Thailand (Phuket) – IDP required; commonly enforced
Spain (Barcelona) – IDP required; may get fined
Portugal (Azores) – IDP not legally required
Italy (Amalfi Coast) – IDP legally required; many rental agencies will require one and police will fine if you are pulled over and can’t produce an IDP. Read our other blog for how to avoid ZTL fines.
Have more questions? Check out our FAQs page for more questions about International Driving Permits (IDPs). We are also happy to help you learn about the process whether you go with us or AAA directly!