What materials are needed to apply for an international driver's license?
2 Answers
To apply for an international driver's license, the required materials include: 1. A valid identity document such as a passport or travel permit, along with two copies; 2. A valid driver's license and two copies; 3. A completed driver's license application form, which can be downloaded and filled out from the official website; 4. Two recent one-inch passport photos with a plain background and no headwear or similar items; 5. An international driver's license application form. An international driver's license, or International Driving Permit (IDP), is issued by contracting parties to correspond with their national (or regional) driver's licenses, allowing the holder to legally drive in other contracting parties or regions that recognize the IDP. Since mainland China does not have an IDP issuing authority, tourists who wish to legally drive abroad can choose between two options: presenting their original valid Chinese driver's license along with a certified translation, or presenting their original valid Chinese driver's license along with a notarized driver's license certificate issued by a Chinese notary office.
As someone who frequently drives abroad, I'm quite familiar with applying for an International Driving Permit. You'll need to prepare your original valid domestic driver's license plus a copy, and your passport is also required including copies of the photo page and visa page. Remember to bring two 2-inch white background ID photos, as photo specifications may vary between countries so it's best to check. When filling out the application form, carefully verify all information to avoid mistakes - I once made a small error that almost required starting over. Finally, you'll need to pay the application fee, which is about $20 if processed through organizations like AAA. A reminder that this isn't a standalone license but just a translation document, which must be used together with your domestic license to be valid. Applying two months before departure is most reliable to avoid disrupting your travel plans.
