# Buying an International driver's license online **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 20, 2002, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-an-international-drivers-license-online/143994 "2002-12-20T08:57:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dc4da7/32.png) [@Rider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rider)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-an-international-drivers-license-online/143994/1 "2002-12-20T08:57:23Z")
Has anyone here ever bought an International driver’s license online? ---
**Author:** ![Popup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@Popup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Popup)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-an-international-drivers-license-online/143994/2 "2002-12-20T09:03:41Z")
Not bought, but ordered. You have to realise that an ‘International drivers licence’ is not a drivers licence. Basically it’s a tranalation of your existing license, that some countries demand (In some cases, even if your license is written in the local language!). It’s not valid without your ‘real’ license to back it up. When I bought mine, I could pre-order it on the phone (nowadays you can do it on-line), but I had to go there to pick it up. (Basically for them to verify that I did have a proper license, and that the photo I had given them was mine…) You might also want to pay attention. There are two types of international driver’s licenses, one is valid for one year, and the other for three. Pricewise they’re about the same, but the three-year version is not valid in all countries. (Most notably the US.) ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-an-international-drivers-license-online/143994/3 "2002-12-20T14:38:24Z")
This has been discussed here in the past and IIRC the consensus is that it is pretty much a scam. I drive in several countries and never needed one. ---
**Author:** ![SwimmingRiddles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SwimmingRiddles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwimmingRiddles)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-an-international-drivers-license-online/143994/4 "2002-12-20T16:03:27Z")
What about the possible urban legend that claims that if you have an international driver’s licence, and get pulled over in the US, and present the Cop with the IDL instead of your local one, the points from the violation will not be accredited to your DL? ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-an-international-drivers-license-online/143994/5 "2002-12-20T16:27:08Z")
You can buy one from an auto club in person (which seems cheaper than the online companies). But they are not needed in English speaking countries, as long as you have a valid driver’s license. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-an-international-drivers-license-online/143994/6 "2002-12-20T16:27:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SwimmingRiddles \* > What about the possible urban legend that claims that if you have an international driver’s licence, and get pulled over in the US, and present the Cop with the IDL instead of your local one, the points from the violation will not be accredited to your DL? If you have a driver’s license issued in the USA, and use that DL to obtain an international DL _for when you travel overseas_ you will find the USA cop won’t buy your claim. **Your IDL is not valid inside the country it is obtained.** On the other hand, if a foreigner is stopped in the USA and produces an IDL, it is merely a courtesy card; they still must produce a DL from their own country. As previously stated an IDL isn’t a DL. It’s merely a courtesy card with little to no value. I’ve found no need to have an IDL when travelling overseas. Generally speaking, other countries will honor your USA DL with no problems, especially English-speaking ones. And, of course, if you do get stopped and taken into custody, how can you be sure it will have anything to do with your driving, notwithstanding a flagrant violation of the driving laws of that country? So with your USA DL, just be careful when travelling in Quebec. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-an-international-drivers-license-online/143994/7 "2002-12-20T16:32:53Z")
An international driver’s license can only be obtained through the AAA or NAC (National Automobile Club); anyone else is selling imitations or charging unecessary fees to get a license for you through one of these organizations. It won’t keep points off your driver’s license if you get a ticket. See: > **[International Driver's License](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/international-drivers-license/)** > > Can you establish a new identity or avoid fines with an International Driver's License?