Renew your license. To apply for an International Drivers Permit, you must have a valid US driver's license. Check the expiration date on your license to be sure it will be valid for your entire trip.
Get photographed. The application for an International Drivers Permit requires two passport photos. Check your local phone book for a convenient place to get passport photos. Some photography studios take them without an appointment, and some drugstores also produce passport photos. Ask anywhere you get photographs developed.
Complete an application. There are two agencies authorized by the US Department of State to issue International Drivers Permits - the American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance. The application for an International Drivers Permit is available online at either one of these agencies' websites. After completing the application, contact the agency to find out the current permit fee and locate their nearest office.
Study the rules of the road. Driving is a privilege and a responsibility no matter where you do it. Learn about the rules of the road in the country where you intend to drive before arriving there. Your US drivers license and International Drivers Permit will allow you to legally operate a vehicle in 150 countries outside the US, but operating the vehicle safely on foreign roads is up to you.
