It can be obtained only by those who already have a valid national license and carry both documents on their trip.The permit is accepted as a valid driving license in as many as 150 countries all over the world, with only a handful of countries requiring drivers to get local licenses when traveling as tourists.
Which countries accept the permit?
One of many international permit benefits is in how widely accepted the permit is. It started as an international treaty in 1949 and it grew from there to include almost every major country in the world. At this point, it's easier to list the countries that won't accept the permit as a valid document.
China is the one major exception since it was never part of the initial treaty and never joined it afterward. If you plan to travel to China, you'll need to get a local license made for short-term stays in the country.
A multilingual document
An international driving permit is issued in ten languages and that covers the official and common languages in most of the world. This is an especially important feature if you plan to go on a trip across many international borders and aren't sure the officials will speak English at your destination.This makes crossing the border and providing the proper documents to the authorities effortless since all of the necessary information can be found on the permit itself and in the language that authorities in most countries recognize as official and speak.The permit is translated to English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, German, Arabic, Italian, Swedish, and Portuguese
The permit will cover your stay
An international driving permit is valid for a year and after that, it can be renewed online. This is enough to cover your trip even when it includes crossing multiple borders and taking your time when it comes to visiting all the sites you've planned to visit.
It's important to note that if your national permit expires, the international one becomes invalid as well. The license usually lasts longer than an IDP, for the most part, it's about five years before you need to renew it, but it can't be done online.
Having peace of mind
Traveling abroad is very rewarding but it can also be highly stressful especially when there are documents and authorities involved. Having an international driving permit allows you to travel without worrying about getting a fine and it makes sure that the authorities will recognize your right to drive. In a way, it buys you peace of mind during your trip and that's something you can't put a price on. It also means you can focus on your trip and the experience itself rather than worrying about administrative issues. That way you'll be more alert and safe on the road and your trip will be more enjoyable as well.
