With travel back in full swing and motoring events resuming around the world, frequent travelers may be interested in driving in other countries. If you’ve ever traveled through scenic highways like the Great Ocean Road in Australia, Milford Road in New Zealand, or Amalfi Drive in Italy, and wished you were behind the wheel instead of being stuck as a passenger in a tour bus or public transport, then this guide’s for you.
The international driver’s license, also known as the international driving permit (IDP), is your key to embarking on amazing road trips in more than a hundred countries around the world aboard rental cars or big bikes.
Paired with your local driver’s license issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the IDP is an internationally recognized permit that allows drivers to legally drive and explore foreign lands. Under the regulations of the United Nations, the IDP is valid in the countries that are signatories to the 1949 and 1968 international motor traffic conventions.
Here’s what you need to know about securing a Philippine International Driving Permit or PIDP, with updated rates and guidelines as of October 2023.
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Where can you apply for IDP?
The IDP is officially issued by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP). They are the only organization in the country that can issue it.
AAP maintains its office at the AAP Tower, 683 Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City while extension offices are located in Alabang, Makati, Lipa, San Fernando, Pampanga, Cebu,and Davao. Specific addresses and contact numbers for each branch can be found here.
Aside from AAP branches, you can also apply at several AAP-accredited travel agencies. Take note that AAP is the only organization authorized to issue a PIDP and using a fake PIDP is a crime. Be wary of non-accredited people or organizations offering this permit at lower costs.
What are the requirements?
New applicants and those renewing their IDP will need to prepare the following basic requirements:
- Applicant’s original and photocopy of valid Philippine Driver’s License
- Two pieces 2”x 2” colored ID pictures with white background
In case you’re worried because you only have a temporary paper license because of the plastic shortage, according to AAP, both the paper-type/original receipt from LTO and card-type driver’s license are accepted.
Aside from the basic requirements, foreign nationals and dual citizens must also present their original passports and photocopies of pages from their passports showing the date of their last arrival in the Philippines.
Permanent residents also need to provide their original passport and Alien Certificate Registration ID.
In case you can’t make it to an AAP office yourself for some reason, the AAP also accepts applications through a representative in case you. Aside from the basic requirements, you will need to provide:
- A letter of authorization signed by the applicant
- Valid government ID of the representative
- In case you fail to present the original driver’s license, an LTO certification and the original Official Receipt must be presented
Do overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) get a discount?
Yes. OFWs can qualify for a 10% discount on AAP membership, by presenting the following documents:
- Valid OFW ID
- Official receipt from POEA indicating OWWA membership fee or valid Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)
How do you apply for an IDP?
Applying for an IDP is pretty straightforward. Just walk in at any AAP office and fill out an application form, line up, pay at the cashier, and wait for your permit to be processed. You can also complete the application form online by filling out details at the AAP Member’s Portal through their website.
- Go to the official AAP website.
- Under the “Services” tab, click “International Driving Permit.”
- Under the list of requirements for new applications and renewals, click the “Apply Now” button.
- You’ll be directed to the AAP Members’ Portal. If you don’t have an account yet, sign up. You can also log in using your Facebook or Apple account.
- Fill out the online application form.
- You’ll receive an email that confirms your submission and will be given payment details. You’ll be asked to provide a delivery address in case you want your permit delivered instead of picking it up.
How long does the processing take?
According to AAP, the main QC branch has the fastest processing time of about one hour. It typically takes two to three days to process at the Makati, Alabang, Pampanga, and Lipa. Those based in Cebu and Davao offices can expect to wait at least four to five days before getting their IDP.
How much does it cost?
The main deterrent for most people in getting an IDP is the prohibitive cost. As of October 2023, the processing fee for a regular IDP valid for one year costs P4,144 for both new applications and renewals. This is seven times the application fee for a local driver’s license (P585), which comes with a five or 10-year validity. The AAP can also issue an IDP with an extended validity for up to two or three years, but it will cost you extra.
- One-year validity: P4,144
- Two-year validity: P8,604
- Three-year validity: P9,184
What countries can you use the IDP in?
The IDP is valid in almost all the contracting countries of the 1949 and 1968 United Nations Conventions on Road Traffic, which are listed at the back of the permit for easy reference. You can enjoy driving in more than 150 countries around the world with this in your wallet.
Here are the countries where the PIDP is accepted:
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Estonia
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan**
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Korea (South)
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Pakistan
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Vietnam**
- Yemen
- Zimbabwe
**Japan: According to AAP, Japan doesn’t allow the continuous use of IDP for more than a year. When renewing an IDP to be used in Japan, the AAP member must be out of Japan for at least 3 months to be allowed to use the renewed permit.
**Vietnam: Club members and visitors have reported that while the 1949 IDP is accepted in practice in Vietnam, the local traffic law states that only the 1968 IDP is accepted. Vietnamese authorities require the list of contracting parties to be printed on the IDP and to include Vietnam.
Meanwhile, the following are countries where the IDP is accepted but with specific validity restrictions. You can only use the IDP for 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, or as specified even if the IDP is valid for longer.
What countries do not recognize the IDP?
Several countries like China, Cambodia, and Myanmar do not recognize IDP as they are not signatories to international treaties.
Others don’t accept IDPs due to various reasons such as cultural differences, legal restrictions, and safety concerns.
According to responses in online forums, island countries and territories like Bermuda, Cook Islands, Ethiopia, Montserrat, US Virgin Islands, and Solomon Islands require local licenses to drive.
In Cuba, most car rentals require drivers to hold both a valid local driving permit and vehicle insurance from the Cuban government.
Before you travel, make sure to check specific requirements regarding driving laws to ensure you won’t face any hurdles.
How long is the IDP valid?
Unless you shell out for the more expensive extended validity for two or three years, the regular IDP is valid for only one year after the permit is issued. However, if your license expires less than a year after you get your IDP, the IDP will expire at the same time as your license. Thus, it’s best to renew your local license first before applying for an IDP.
How do you use it?
The PIDP is a legal requirement for drivers in many countries abroad. You could face civil or criminal charges for driving without one. If you plan to drive abroad, you need to secure both a local license from your home country and the PIDP. Be sure to bring your valid driver’s license as well.
Why should you get a PIDP and is it worth it?
The cost of an international driver’s license is pretty expensive, so you should assess whether you really need it. If you plan to travel abroad several times in a year and want to rent a car to drive around there instead of taking public transport, then it’s worth getting a PIDP. If you’re still unsure of your travel plans, it might be better to wait to apply so you don’t waste the permit’s validity period. Since the processing time is pretty fast, it would be better to apply for an IDP right before the date you intend to travel to maximize the cost.
OFWs and those migrating abroad might want to consider getting this extra credential to make driving around other countries easier. However, those living abroad could also just apply for a driver’s license in the specific country they are moving or working in rather than having to renew the expensive international driver’s permit in the Philippines yearly.
Have you used an IDP to work and travel abroad? Let us know in the comments section.
