Alabama - Apply for International Driver's Permit

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Procedure

American Automobile Association (AAA)

Applying in Person

1. To Apply for International Driver's Permit, the applicant has to approach American Automobile Association link

   Note: The applicant has to enter their Zip Code to find their nearby location to them.

2. The applicant has to download and complete the application form using the following link link
3. The applicant has to fill in all necessary details in the application form. (Incomplete application forms are not accepted)
4. Make sure the applicant has to attach all the required documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
5. The applicant has to attach the photocopies of required documents along with the application form.
6. Submit the application form and the necessary documents to the relevant officer.
7. The applicant has to pay the prescribed fee of $20.00 to the relevant officer.
8. The authorities will review the application, upon successful completion of application the authority will issue the permit within a month.

Applying Through the Mail

1. To Apply for International Driver's Permit, the applicant has to download and complete the application form using the following link link
2. The applicant has to fill in all necessary details in the application form. (Incomplete application forms are not accepted)
3. Make sure the applicant has attached all the required documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
4. The applicant has to attach the photocopies of the required documents along with the application form.
5. Submit the application form and the necessary documents to the relevant officer.
6. The applicant has to pay the prescribed fee of $20.00 via money order or by certified cheque.
7. Mail the completed application form and documents to American Automobile Association link

Note:

• The applicant has to enter their Zip Code to find their nearby location to them.
• The authorities will review the application, upon successful completion of application the authority will issue the permit within a month.
• If mailing application, a photocopy of BOTH SIDES of U.S. Driver’s License must accompany completed signed application, and check or money order only (NO CASH by mail)

Apply through EITA:
(There may be an additional cost involved with this process). Agent Disclaimer

1. Please use the following link to apply : Apply through EITA
2. You will be presented with plans that you can choose from.
3. Please select the appropriate plan that is suitable for you and click "Next" and follow the process to complete the application.
   
   

For Applicants Abroad

1. For those who are currently overseas, you can mail your completed application to the following office and address:
   AAA/IDP
   1000 AAA Drive
   Heathrow, FL 32746
   Attn: Mail Stop #28
2. It may take about 4 to 6 weeks before you receive your IDP unless you have included an additional postage for express mail service with your application.

Notes:

• Funds must be in U.S. dollars. Your payment may be in the form of a U.S. bank check or money order payable to AAA. You may also pay using major credit cards with expiration date like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card. Applicants name and mailing address must be printed on the check. Your IDP will not be mailed to you until the check has cleared.
• For those paying using their credit card, please include number, expiration date, and note authorizing AAA to charge $15.00. If you need your IDP to be mailed back to you using an expedited mail service [UPS, Fed-Ex] authorization for the additional charges will need to be included.

National Automobile Club

1. Print the International Driving Permit Application Form.
2. Complete and sign the form.
3. Send the form along with two (2) original color passport photos of you, a signed clear photocopy of the front and back of your U.S. driver's license, and your payment. Mail to:
   The National Automobile Club
   Attn: IDP
   373 Vintage Park Drive, Suite E
   Foster City, CA 94404
4. You may also apply in person by going to an NAC office.

Note: Incomplete or illegible applications, or insufficient payment, will result in significant processing delays.

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Required Documents

American Automobile Association (AAA):

• Completed Application Form
• Valid U.S. driver's license
• Two original passport-type photos (also available at AAA offices)

National Automobile Club

• Completed application form
• Two (2) original color passport photos
• Signed clear photocopy of the front and back of the U.S. driver's license

Office Locations & Contacts

American Automobile Association, Inc. (AAA)

1000 AAA Drive, MS 28
American Automobile Association
AAA/IDP
1000 AAA Drive
Heathrow, FL 32746
Attn: Mail Stop #28
AAA branch office link (Note: The applicant has to enter their Zip Code to find their nearby location to them)

State Headquarters Office
AAA Alabama
State Headquarters Office
2400 Acton Road
Birmingham, AL 35243
Phone: 1-205-978-7000
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Decatur Branch
1605 Beltline Road SW
Decatur, AL 35603
Phone: 1-256-353-4924
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Dothan Branch
3850 W Main Street
Dothan, AL 36305
Phone: 1-334-793-6080
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Florence Branch
102 S Pine Street
Florence, AL 35630
Phone: 1-256-764-9173
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Fultondale Branch
3345 Lowery Parkway, Suite 115
Fultondale, AL 35068
Phone: 1-205-841-2374
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Huntsville Branch
2625 Memorial Parkway SW
Huntsville, AL 35801
Phone: 1-256-539-7493
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Mobile Branch
720 Schillinger Road S, Suite 5
Mobile, AL 36695
Phone: 1-251-639-3510
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Montgomery Branch
6901 Vaughn Road
Montgomery, AL

Eligibility

Issuance of International Driving Permits are restricted to persons 18 years and older.

You do not have to be a member of the AAA or NAC, or a U.S. citizen to apply for an IDP as long as you have a valid U.S. driver's license.

Your U.S. driver's license must be valid for at least 6 months past the issuance of the IDP.

Fees

American Automobile Association (AAA)

International Driving Permit: $15.00 USD

Notes:

• Funds must be in U.S. dollars. Your payment may be in the form of a U.S. bank check or money order payable to AAA. You may also pay using major credit cards with expiration date like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card. Applicants name and mailing address must be printed on the check. Your IDP will not be mailed to you until the check has cleared.
• For those paying using their credit card, please include number, expiration date, and note authorizing AAA to charge $15.00. If you need your IDP to be mailed back to you using an expedited mail service [UPS, Fed-Ex] authorization for the additional charges will need to be included.

National Automobile Club

Permit Fee: $15.00 USD + Shipping & Handling Fee

Detailed fee schedule can be found on the application form along with corresponding processing time.

Notes:

• Payment for the IDP (as well as applicable shipping & handling fees) must be received along with the completed application and required supporting documents. Payment may be in the form of a check, money order, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover).
• Please refer to the application and instructions to know more about shipping and handling.

Validity

International Driving Permits are not valid in an individuals country of residence.

It has a validity of 1 year from the date it was issued, provided that the state license is still valid throughout that period. You must remember that your IDP is not intended to replace your valid U.S. state licenses and should only be used as a supplement to your driver's license.

A new IDP must be applied for each year.

Note: International Driving Permits may not be issued more than six (6) months in advance of desired effective date.

Documents to Use

• AAA IDP Application Form
• National Automobile Club IDP Application Form

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents which would help other people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Processing Time

National Automobile Club

Normal processing time: 10 to 15 business days (excluding the shipping time to and from the National Automobile Club located in Foster City, California).

Expedited: depends on your selected 'Priority or Express/Courier' shipping and handling method.

Notes:

• Processing times do not take into account the significant delay caused by submitting incorrect and/or incomplete documents.
• Domestic express and international courier shipping options are the only options that include a signature upon delivery, with tracking. Domestic and international priority mail includes tracking only. Domestic and international 1st class mail does not have tracking (or signature). NAC will not be responsible for items lost in the mail.

Instructions

American Automobile Association (AAA)

The Department of State has designated the American Automobile Association (AAA) as an authorized distributor of IDPs.

You can obtain an IDP by contacting your local AAA office.

AAA (American Automobile Association, Inc.)

1000 AAA Drive, MS 28

Heathrow, FL 32746-5063

National Automobile Club

Only applications received by mail (or in person at 373 Vintage Park Drive, Suite E, Foster City, CA 94404) will be accepted. You may not apply for an IDP online.

Required Information

• Complete name
• Address
• U.S. Drivers License Number, Expiration Date, Issuing State
• Date and Place of Birth
• Foreign Travel Departure Date
• Destination (Country)

Need for the Document

An International Driver's Permit (IDP) is a document recognized in many countries which allows the holder to drive a private motor vehicle in that country. To be valid the IDP must be accompanied by a valid license from the home country. The document is slightly larger than a standard passport and is essentially a multiple language translation of the holder's normal driver's license, complete with photograph and vital statistics. In most countries however, short term visitors don't need to possess an IDP since the license of the home country is recognized and permits one to drive in the host country.

The State Department names two authorized issuers of the IDP:

• American Automobile Association (AAA)
• National Automobile Club

Following are procedures on how you can apply for an International Driver's Permit.