Quick Summary:
- Expect an IDP fee of about US$20, plus any service charges.
- Apply before arriving, Florida DMVs do not issue International Driving Permits.
- Carry your home licence with the IDP, it is only a translation.
- For car hire, check your rental firm’s IDP policy in advance.
If you are planning a trip to Florida and you will be driving, the question usually comes up early, how much does an International Driving Permit (IDP) cost, and do you actually need one? The short pricing answer is that an IDP is generally inexpensive, typically around US$20 for the permit itself, but the practical answer depends on where you apply, whether you pay postage, and how quickly you need it.
An IDP is not a driving licence on its own. It is an officially recognised translation of your existing licence into multiple languages, designed to help police officers, insurers, and rental counters understand what you are entitled to drive. In Florida, visitors commonly use an IDP to smooth the car hire process, especially when the home licence is not in English or uses a different format.
This guide explains what you are likely to pay, what is included, where to apply, and how to avoid common pitfalls that can add unnecessary cost or stress before you pick up a hire car.
Typical International Driving Permit cost for Florida visitors
For most travellers, the core IDP fee is about US$20. That figure is widely used by authorised issuers in the United States, and it is also a useful benchmark globally because many countries’ authorised motoring organisations charge a similar amount when converted to dollars.
However, your total cost can be higher depending on:
Postage and delivery. If you apply by post, you may pay mailing fees both ways. If you need express delivery, the courier charge can exceed the permit fee itself.
Photos. Many issuers require passport-style photos. If you do not already have them, factor in a small extra cost.
Processing options. Some authorised issuers offer faster processing for an added fee, while others process in a fixed timeframe.
Local currency differences. If you apply in the UK or elsewhere, the amount will be in local currency and can vary slightly by issuer.
The key point for Florida planning is that the IDP is normally one of the cheaper pre-trip documents you can obtain, especially compared with insurance, accommodation, and car hire.
Where you can and cannot get an IDP for Florida
A crucial cost-related detail is that Florida does not issue International Driving Permits to visitors. Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (and local DMV offices) do not provide IDPs. If you arrive without one and then decide you want it, you cannot simply pop into a Florida office and buy it.
Instead, you must obtain the IDP from an authorised issuer in the same country that issued your driving licence. This is also where many travellers accidentally overspend, they use unofficial websites that market “international licences” at inflated prices.
To keep the cost close to the typical US$20 range:
Use only the authorised issuer for your licence country. Authorised issuers are usually national motoring organisations.
Avoid third-party sites that charge large “processing” fees and may provide a document that is not accepted.
Apply early to avoid paying for express shipping.
Is an IDP required to drive in Florida?
Florida rules can be confusing because different sources summarise them differently, and enforcement practices vary. Many visitors can legally drive in Florida with a valid foreign licence, particularly if it is in English. That said, an IDP can still be useful in practice, and sometimes effectively required by a rental company’s internal policy.
In real-world situations, an IDP helps when:
Your licence is not in English. The IDP provides an English translation that can reduce delays at a roadside stop or at the rental desk.
Your licence format is unfamiliar. Even an English-language licence can be hard to interpret if categories, issue dates, or address fields are laid out differently.
You are dealing with insurance or an accident report. Clear documentation matters when multiple parties need to understand what you are licensed to drive.
For car hire, the safest approach is to check the rental provider’s requirements for drivers from your country, and then decide whether to obtain the IDP for peace of mind. It is often a small added cost that reduces the chance of a trip-starting hassle.
How IDP costs interact with car hire in Florida
When people ask about IDP cost, they often really mean, “Will this affect my car hire price or my ability to collect the vehicle?” The IDP itself does not change your daily rental rate, but it can affect whether the rental counter accepts your documents without delay.
Here are common cost-related scenarios:
No IDP, licence not in English. You may spend time resolving it at the counter, or in the worst case, you may be unable to collect, leading to last-minute transport costs.
IDP obtained late with express delivery. The permit is still cheap, but courier fees can be surprisingly high.
IDP obtained early via authorised issuer. Typically the most cost-effective option, and usually the least stressful.
If you are comparing broader US car hire options while planning your trip, it can help to see how documentation requirements and policies vary by location and brand. For example, Hola Car Rentals provides useful local pages such as Avis car rental in Miami Beach, which can be a helpful starting point when reviewing what to bring to the counter and how to plan your pick-up.
What you need to apply, and what might add to the cost
While requirements differ slightly by country, most authorised issuers ask for:
A completed application with your personal details.
Your valid driving licence details, and sometimes a photocopy.
Passport-style photographs.
Payment for the permit fee and any postage.
The common add-ons that can increase the total price are photo booth costs, postage, and optional expedited service. If you are applying from the UK, also check whether you need an IDP in a particular format, as some countries recognise different “conventions”. Your authorised issuer will advise which version is appropriate for your destination, and getting the right type first time avoids paying twice.
How long an IDP is valid, and why that matters for price
An International Driving Permit is typically valid for a limited period, often one year from the issue date (this can vary depending on the issuing authority and the permit format). Validity length matters because it determines whether you will need to pay again for a future trip.
If you travel to the US frequently, the best value is usually to time your application so the IDP covers as many trips as possible within its validity window. If your travel is a one-off holiday, you can simply apply close enough to departure to avoid any risk of it expiring early, while still leaving time for standard processing and postage.
How to avoid overpriced or invalid “international licences”
One of the biggest cost traps is paying for an unofficial document marketed as an “international driving licence”. These websites often appear in search results and can charge many times the authorised fee. Some will send a card or booklet that looks legitimate but is not an IDP recognised under the international conventions used by many countries.
To keep your Florida driving plans on track:
Only buy an IDP from the authorised issuer in the country where your licence was issued.
Be wary of high prices, especially if the fee is far above the typical US$20 baseline.
Check what you receive. An IDP is usually a paper booklet format, not merely a plastic card or digital-only document.
The cost of an invalid document is not just the purchase price, it can lead to disruption at pick-up, extra transport costs, or the need to rearrange travel plans.
Planning tips for Florida drivers using car hire
Once the IDP question is settled, focus on the rest of your document pack for car hire. In most cases you should expect to show:
Your passport.
Your home driving licence, which must be current and valid.
Your IDP, if you have one, carried together with your home licence.
A payment card in the driver’s name, depending on the rental policy.
If you are putting together a broader US itinerary, it can be useful to compare procedures in different cities and airports. Hola Car Rentals has location pages that help you understand what to expect at major pick-up points, such as car hire at Chicago O’Hare Airport and car rental at Boston Logan. Policies can differ by operator even when the legal driving rules are similar.
If your Florida trip includes group travel, you might also be considering larger vehicles. Seeing how providers present requirements for specialist vehicles can be useful when planning documentation, deposits, and driver eligibility. For instance, minivan hire in Nevada pages often highlight practical considerations that also apply elsewhere, like additional driver paperwork and age rules.
So, what should you budget overall?
For most travellers heading to Florida, a sensible budget for an IDP is:
US$20 for the permit fee, plus a modest amount for photos and standard postage, if applicable.
If you leave it late and need express shipping, your total outlay can rise quickly. That is why the most cost-effective approach is usually to apply through the authorised issuer well before you fly, even if you are still finalising your car hire details.
Finally, remember the IDP does not replace your licence. The best “value” comes from using it as intended, as a recognised translation carried alongside your home licence, making driving and car hire in Florida smoother and more predictable.
If you are comparing rental brands as part of your planning, you may find it helpful to review how major companies present pick-up requirements and policies in other US markets, such as Hertz car hire in Boston. Even small differences in document expectations can influence whether an IDP feels essential for your situation.
FAQ
How much does an International Driving Permit cost for a Florida trip? Most travellers should expect about US$20 for the IDP itself, then add any photo and postage costs charged by the authorised issuer.
Can I get an International Driving Permit after I arrive in Florida? Not usually. Florida DMV offices do not issue IDPs, so you generally need to obtain it from the authorised issuer in the country that issued your licence.
Do I need an IDP to hire a car in Florida? Often it depends on your licence and the rental company’s policy. If your licence is not in English, an IDP is commonly requested to translate your entitlements.
Does an IDP replace my driving licence in Florida? No. An IDP is a translation document and must be carried with your valid home driving licence when you drive or collect a hire car.
How can I avoid paying too much for an IDP? Apply only through the authorised issuer for your licence country, and apply early enough to avoid expensive express shipping or courier fees.
