Renew or replace
Renewing an international driving permit
The short version: there is no such thing as renewal. Here is what to do instead.
An International Driving Permit cannot be renewed. No issuing body offers renewal anywhere in the world: when a permit expires it is replaced by a new one, applied for exactly as the first was. If you have lost yours and ordered from us, the digital copy can be downloaded again from your account at no cost.
Which situation is yours
- Yours has expired
- There is no renewal process anywhere in the world. A permit is issued for a fixed term against the licence you held at the time, and when it runs out the only route is a new one. The application is the same as the first — we do not charge differently for it, and there is nothing to transfer across.
- You lost it abroad
- If you bought from us, sign in and download the digital copy again; it is on your account and costs nothing. Many rental desks and police forces accept the digital version, though not all — so if you are mid-trip, order a replacement booklet as well and have it shipped to your hotel.
- Your licence details changed
- A new name, a new licence number or a new country of issue all mean the permit no longer matches the document it is supposed to translate — which is the one thing it has to do. Order a new permit against the new licence. Do not travel on one that disagrees with your licence.
- It is still valid but you cannot find it
- Sign in and download the digital copy. If you ordered a printed booklet and it has genuinely gone, a replacement booklet can be shipped without redoing the application.
Order a new one
The same four-minute application as the first time. If you have ordered from us before, sign in first and your details are already there — and check what your destination expects, since requirements change between trips.
Questions about expiry and replacement
How do I renew my international driving permit?
You cannot renew one — no issuing body anywhere offers renewal. An International Driving Permit is issued for a fixed term and, when it expires, is replaced by a completely new permit applied for in the same way as the first. Any service advertising a cheaper 'renewal' is selling you a new permit under a different word.
What happens if I drive on an expired international driving permit?
It is treated as having no permit at all. Where a country requires one, an expired document exposes you to the same consequences as never having had one: the rental company can refuse the car, an insurer can decline a claim, and police can fine you. Check the expiry date before you travel, not at the desk.
I lost my international driving permit — what now?
If you ordered from us, the digital copy is permanently on your account: sign in and download it again at no cost. If you need the physical booklet, order a replacement and we will ship it. If you bought elsewhere, you will need to apply again from scratch, as most issuers do not keep a retrievable copy.
Can I extend my international driving permit?
No. The term is fixed at issue and cannot be extended, shortened or transferred. If you need longer than your current permit covers, order a new one with a longer term — we issue one, two and three year permits, and the longer terms work out considerably cheaper per year.