Ads for International Drivers'
Licenses or Permits Could Be a Dead End
Too
many points on your driver's license?
License been suspended or revoked?
Can't get a state-issued driver's license?
Want a license that can never be suspended or revoked?
If you're tempted by ads claiming
that you can use an international driver's license (IDL)
or an international driving permit (IDP) in place of
your state-issued driver's license, it's a dead end.
Although an IDP (sometimes incorrectly called an international
driving license) is a real document when issued by the
proper authorities, it is not a legal alternative to
your state-issued license. If you are stopped by a law
enforcement officer and present an IDL or an IDP as
proof of your identity and authorization to drive, you
could be arrested.
What's an
IDP?
The United States is a party to a United Nations treaty
that gives residents of one country the right to drive
in other countries using the driver's license issued
by the government where they live. This treaty created
the international driving permit to make this arrangement
easier. An IDP translates your state-issued driver's
license into 10 languages so you can show it to officials
in foreign countries to help them interpret your driver's
license. If you're a U.S. resident, an IDP is useless
within the U.S. IDPs are not intended to replace state-issued
driver's licenses and should be used only as a supplement
to a valid license when traveling in a foreign country.
In addition, IDPs are not proof of identity.
The U.S. Department of State has authorized
only two organizations to issue IDPs to U.S. residents.
The organizations, the American Automobile Association
(AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA),
are permitted to sell IDPs only to people who are at
least 18 years old and only to those who have a valid
driver's license issued by a U.S. state or territory.
The AAA and the AATA charge $10 for each IDP.
How Does
an IDP Differ from a State-issued Driver's License?
A driver's license is a card that lets you drive a motor
vehicle legally. It is issued by the state where you
live, but allows you to drive anywhere in the U.S. and
Canada. A driver's license also serves as valid proof
of your identity to law enforcement officials. States
require that you pass a series of exams to get your
first license: a written exam on the "rules of
the road," an eye test, and a road test. States
also require that you provide proof of your identity,
such as a passport, a valid driver's license from another
state, or a birth certificate. The fee for a license
varies by state.
How the IDP
Scam Works
Ads and offers for fake IDLs and IDPs are showing up
on websites and as spam email. They also are sold "on
the street" and through storefront operations.
The price for one of these fake documents can range
from $65 to $350. Many local operations target non-native
speakers through ads in foreign-language newspapers
that direct consumers to websites or local storefronts.
The marketers falsely claim that their documents:
- authorize consumers to drive legally in the U.S.,
even if they don't have state-issued licenses or if
their state-issued licenses have been suspended or
revoked;
- can be used to avoid points or fines affecting state-issued
drivers' licenses; and
- can be used as photo ID in the U.S.
FTC officials say all these claims
are false. In fact, if you're a U.S. resident, and you're
caught using an IDP in place of your state-issued driver's
license, the consequences can be severe. You could be
charged with driving without a license or driving with
a suspended or revoked license. If you can't produce
proof of your identity (for example, a valid driver's
license, a state-issued identification card, valid immigration
documents, or a passport), the officer can assume that
you're trying to withhold your identity and arrest you.
For More
Information
To learn about driver's license requirements in your
state, contact your local department of motor vehicles.
Check the Blue Pages of your telephone directory for
the number, or visit the American Association of Motor
Vehicle Administrators at www.aamva.org.
If you plan to drive overseas, contact
your local AAA office or the AATA for more information
about acquiring a legitimate IDP.
AAA - Check the White
Pages of your telephone directory or visit www.aaa.com
AATA - Call: 650-294-7000 (M-F, 8:30-5:00 Pacific Time);
fax: 650-294-7040; email: contact@nationalautoclub.com;
or visit www.nationalautoclub.com
If you've been scammed by a seller
of bogus IDLs or IDPs, report it to the FTC.
January 2003
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